Apparently, Santiago Calatrava isn't the first architect to think of stacking houses on top of each other. Blogger James Stamp points to a 1981 design by S.I.T.E., called the Highrise of Homes, that he thinks may have been an inspiration for Calatrava's downtown tower:
More neighborhood than penthouse, the Highrise of Homes consists of a structural that supports independently constructed suburban-style homes, complete with fence, yard, and neighbors.Hard to believe this was never built.
· Townhouses in the Sky(line) [Life Without Buildings]
· Another Picture of the Highrise of Homes [Life Without Buildings]
· Calatrava Tower at 80 Front Street Green Lighted [Curbed]