In a world where land is sparse and property prices are soaring, it makes perfect sense to look for alternative housing locations. Shrewd architects around the world are turning to vacant rooftops to create unique living spaces in cities around the world. Take a look at these striking clandestine pads perched at heady heights.

Home to more than 8.8 million people, Mexico City is one of the world's most densely populated cities. So it's no wonder architects and homeowners are seeking new and interesting ways to create more housing in the Mexican capital. Enter this hidden tiny house, located on an otherwise redundant rooftop. 

The property is situated at the top of a classical building in the Roma neighbourhood of the city. The genius micro home not only makes the most of vacant space, but also benefits from idyllic city views and a lovely private garden, making it a tranquil oasis in the heart of this bustling city. Let's take a look inside...

Cool and contemporary, the one-of-a-kind tiny house features a unique interior, with a natural material palette of wood, chipboard and glass. Large windows usher plenty of light inside, while a retractable canvas on the terrace allows any visitor to shade themselves from the sun whenever the need arises. 

Despite its size, this amazing holiday home features everything you could need. There's a double bedroom, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, an open-plan living room with a dining area and a fully-equipped kitchenette. The couch in the lounge also opens out to form a second double bed. Fancy staying here? Well, luckily for you it's available to rent on Airbnb.

When you conjure a picture of the real estate market in New York, perhaps the last thing that comes to mind is a lighthouse. Overlooking the Harlem River, this distinctive high-altitude building is known as The Little Lighthouse of Highbridge. Installed in 1929 when former owners H.W. Wilson took residence, this landmark has become an iconic part of The Bronx's skyline.

Entitled 'A Room For London', this boat-shaped installation once sat atop Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s Southbank. Overlooking the River Thames, this naval-themed mini dwelling was a unique one-bed hotel room. Offering fantastic views of the city’s skyline, the space was designed by Living Architecture and built from timber. The best part about a night in the boat? The incredible panoramic views visible from its river-facing windows.

Upon first glance, there doesn't seem to be anything unusual about this historic beach-front property in Sydney, Australia. Yet take another look and you may just catch a glimpse of a secret rooftop pad hidden in plainsight along one of Down Under's most desirable shorelines...

That's right, this secluded contemporary home hides behind the building's original Art Deco pediment. Designed by the architects at MHN Design Union, the penthouse is made from ultra-lightweight steel and dressed with a composite metallic cladding, resulting in a slick, angular property in the heart of Sydney. Large sheets of frameless glass allow in plenty of natural light and offer uninterrupted views over one of the world’s most iconic beaches.

First appearances can be deceiving and at first glance, this glistening rooftop installation looks just like a rather fancy air duct. Yet this pop-up installation is actually a micro dwelling, positioned on top of a historic warehouse in Hoxton, East London. Known as H-Vac, this futuristic pad designed by PUP Architects was winner of the inaugural Antepavilion competition in 2017. It's built from timber and covered in recycled Tetra-Pak shingles sourced from a local canned drinks manufacturer.

Photographed here by Jim Stephenson, PUP created the miniature property to encourage local planning officers to re-evaluate Hoxton’s development plans. The architects used a planning loophole, which allows commercial properties to erect air ducts without authority permission, to create this ultra-modern and functional living space.

Over several weeks, the architects worked with carpenters and students to build the structure with a budget of just under $18,000 (£15k). Inside, the H-Vac features a cosy space ideal for no more than two adults. PUP opened the pop-up pad to the public in August 2018 as part of Open House London, the city’s largest architectural festival. 

Located in the trendy neighbourhood of Tribeca, New York, this wow-factor condo hides at the top of a historic 19th-century property. Private access can be gained via a coded lift, which opens up to a spacious and elegant apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows and a high-end, designer interior created by CetraRuddy Architects.

Covering almost 4,000 square feet, this impressive condo makes the most of its prestigious location. Boasting three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, not to mention a gorgeous garden designed by landscape architect Hank White, its incredible panoramic views of New York City's skyline are an irresistible selling point.

Those lucky enough to be in a position to purchase this home can enjoy the luxury of a 24-hour doorman, valet services and a communal 71-foot indoor swimming pool. For those who love to shop, the two walk-in closets are sure to come in handy. When you're done soaking in the view, the automated privacy blinds can be shut to continue the evening out of view.

The luxurious private home was last on the market in 2018 for a cool $17 million (£14.4m). To be fair, you get a hefty offering for your money, including Calacatta marble, polished graphite and antiqued bronze hardware adorning the pristine surfaces in the penthouse's lustrous interior. We wonder if they took credit card for that…

The Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, is home to truly unique rooftop accommodation, designed for adventurous guests. That's right, head up to the rooftop of this unique boutique hotel and you'll find a trailer park kitted out with vintage Airstreams – an American brand of caravan easily recognised by their distinctive shape and polished aluminium exterior.

As part of the 2021 Decorex Cape Town Design Trail, Decorex Africa and 100% Design South Africa partnered with the Grand Daddy Hotel to refurbish seven authentic Airstream trailers. Interior Designers from the region set about revamping them to create a unique glamping experience for those with a head for heights.

Each trailer has been individually-styled with colourful and quirky interiors that reflect a different traditionally South African roadtrip. While Gold Rush is filled with gilded fixtures and plush leather furnishings, the Cape Winelands Penthouse (pictured here) boasts statement wallpaper, timber cladding and chic interior touches.

Other interior themes include Beach House, Bloomin' Daisies, City Flight and Rooftop Safari. High above the city, the American-style resort offers incredible vistas of Table Mountain, too. Not just a space for sleeping, the trailer park also features a Sky Bar, an open-air cinema and a covered veranda for alfresco entertaining.

This quaint New England-style house, with a pretty winding garden and pastel blue façade, is not all that it appears. Anything but ordinary, this tilted rooftop cottage, known as Fallen Star, looks like an optical illusion but it's actually a public art installation.

 Situated on top of Jacobs Hall at the University of California, the structure was created by the Korean artist Do Ho Suh. The cottage hangs over the edge of the university's roof and boasts an idyllic sky garden offering incredible panoramic views over San Diego.

Part of the university’s Stuart Collection, the project was created to explore the idea of home, our observations of space and how being distanced from home can leave us feeling uncomfortable — something that Suh experienced first-hand when he moved to America in the early 90s.

Inside, the surreal structure is tilted and set at different angles, creating an unbalance designed to question the notion of home. The cosy interior is also reminiscent of traditional American properties. The house is semi-visible from the street below, inviting passers-by to look up and think, something that Suh hoped to achieve when designing the installation.

Glance up at this charming suburban-style cottage and you may just think you’re in Cape Cod. Yet this amazing hidden home actually sits above East 1st Street in Lower Manhattan and comes as a special extra contained apartment with the duplex condo below it.​ Like a very upmarket BOGOF offer!

Covering almost 3,000 square feet, the Nantucket-style cottage and duplex boast spacious interiors with high ceilings, exposed wooden beams and lots of windows allowing in plenty of natural light. The sky-high estate also features four bedrooms, an artist’s studio and a recessed lounge, while the cottage itself includes a full bathroom and kitchenette. Perfect for guests or a secluded getaway from everday living.

Yet the best part about this gorgeous city property is its beautiful outdoor garden with private wraparound roof terrace accessed through double French doors, offering seclusion from the hustle and bustle of New York, as well as impeccable panoramic vistas. If only every property came with such a hidden jewel in its crown!

Fancy owning this incredible four-bed penthouse condo complete with roof cottage? Well, you’d need a whopping $3.8 million (£3.2m) in the bank to even consider it, which is how much the pad went for when it sold in November 2017.

Devised by LoftCube and Werner Aisslinger Architects, this prefabricated box home sits above Hotel Daniel in the Austrian city of Graz. The compact yet contemporary cube was built off-site and finally installed on top of the hotel in September 2014. Driven by a desire to ease Austria's housing shortage, LoftCube created a prefabricated pod that could be placed in compact and vacant spaces. 

The 473.6 square feet home offers incredible vistas of the city’s skyline, including the Gratz clocktower and Schloss Eggenberg, and has become somewhat of a local landmark in this seemingly traditional metropolis. The futuristic cube is made from structural steel with fibregass cladding. A pod identical to this one could be yours for as little as €120,000, that's $121,100 (£100k).

The concept for the installation was the urban jungle, a theme that's reflected in the cube’s contemporary steel shell with slatted wood cladding. LoftCube also developed a special raindance shower for the cube, which measures just 27 square feet. The open shower is enclosed by floor-to-ceiling plants to give guests the illusion of showering in the heart of the jungle. 

What's more, guests can unwind on the specially made 7.2 square foot bed or get out the popcorn and enjoy the home cinema experience. Visitors can stay in the LoftCube for a modest €259 ($259 or £219) a night and every day new arrivals to Hotel Daniel have the opportunity to be awarded a free upgrade to the rooftop suite, depending on avilability. The best bit? The ingenius moveable home can be picked up and relocated whenever you see fit.

Not quite so clandestine, this vibrant rooftop pad is actually a series of private living quarters, a concept devised by Dutch architects MVRDV. Located in the centre of Rotterdam, Didden Village was created to provide the property’s owners with extra space for their growing family.

The loft of the family’s existing home was extended cleverly, utilising previously vacant space to offer extra living room without the need for more land. In 2010 the project was nominated for a City of Rotterdam Architecture Award, for its innovation and quirky design.

Each bedroom is positioned as a separate house — one for the parents and two adjoining children's rooms — providing the whole family with a private living space for rest, work and play. Outside, the rooftop features a quiet village-style oasis above the city streets, aptly suiting the property's name.

The homes amount to just 484 square feet in size, with the outdoor garden terrace covering an impressive 1,292 square feet. They are joined together by two suspended spiral staircases, so access to both sections can be gained by any member of the family at any time of day.

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