Aloha Surf Bar

Concrete usually leans more toward industrial but the Aloha Surf Bar gives off some serious beach vibes. The surf school and bar sit on the coast of Vila do Conde, Portugal. Mimicking the surrounding landscape, the structure's minimalist concrete form resembles the nearby dunes with curved lines and a grainy texture, while the raw palette blends into the sandy mounds. Its layout follows the shoreline allowing floor-to-ceiling glazing to showcase expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean. Overlooking the water, a deck extends out from the interior for direct access to the waves.

Photos: Hugo Monte Arquitecto

Collection Suites

When you treat your ride like one of your own, a mere garage won't suffice. Those prized possessions deserve their own luxury domain. Located in Miami, Collection Suites offers secure, private storage for extreme car enthusiasts. The complex is made up of 38 suites divided among four buildings named after the world's most notorious speedways. Each unit offers a little over 2,000 square feet of storage space along with a bathroom, closet, wet bar, and loft where owners chill out and admire their collection. Of course, the property is gated and guarded for maximum security so you can rest easy but for those overprotective parents, an app gives direct access to the in-suite cameras so you can check in on your babies when you're away.

Valpelline Bivouac

We've seen houses perched on a mountainside before but the Valpelline Bivouac takes that idea to a whole new level. The alpine shelter is anchored to a rocky peak over 10,000 feet off the ground in Italy's Morion ridge. It acts as a base for climbers trekking across the jagged chain of peaks. The hut is made from composite sandwich panels, wood, and steel that was prefabricated off-site and transported by helicopter. It lightly sits on its foundation, mounted in a way that causes little disruption to the terrain. Inside, the interior offers an area to prepare food, a table and chairs, and storage for equipment. An east-facing window allows in heat from the sun, providing a warm refuge from the elements as well as views of the Becca di Luseney, Monte Rosa, and the Matterhorn.

Photos: Grzegorz Grodzicki

Malin+Goetz Candles

All candles don't have to smell like pumpkin spice. You can instead fill your home with warm, earthy scents of Leather and Cannabis. Handmade in Brooklyn, Malin+Goetz Candles infuse their natural wax blends with a unique mix of notes like oakmoss, cedarwood, and fresh lemon to create a collection of artisanal scents. Their cotton wicks slowly burn through the wax, giving off up to 60 hours of fragrance. Each one is poured into a sleek container that can be reused for a rocks glass after the candle is gone.

9oz / 260g

Cannes Mountainside Estate

Cannes is known for having some of the most luxurious hotels in the world but the Cannes Mountainside Estate rivals them all. The property consists of nearly 60 rolling acres that feature olive trees, lavender fields, and its own lake. Comprised of 3 houses, the accommodations include a combined 17 suites throughout its 20,000 square feet of living space. Its resort-like amenities include a tennis court, wellness center, jogging track, a heliport, and 3 heated pools, although nothing can beat the views. Perched on the edge of a hilltop, the entire compound overlooks the Bay of Cannes.

Photos: Sotheby's International Realty

Pinecone Treehouse

Treehouses come in all kinds of shapes and sizes but this one could reign as most unique. Formed after its namesake, the Pinecone Treehouse is currently sited in a forest in Oakland. Its geodesic dome shape is constructed from steel and California redwood, fitted with multiple glazed panels resembling the cone's scales. When inside, the windows' symmetrical pattern almost feels like you're inside a kaleidoscope, surrounding the interior with views of the landscape. The main structure also comes with an indoor/outdoor bathroom and a wooden catwalk that connects them both.

Photos: Garna Raditya / O2 Treehouse

Glass Villa on the Lake

Transparency meets sustainability at the Glass Villa on the Lake. Although its form is just a simple cube, the home is wrapped in a glazed facade. This material choice creates a strong connection between the interior and the landscape by blurring all the boundaries and providing uninterrupted views. Nestled on a wooded shore, the surrounding trees create a veil of privacy for residents. What little isn't made of glass is clad in charred timber. Internally, an open floor plan reduces the need for partitions that could potentially obstruct views. A minimalist palette allows the scenery to shine while corner windows give the illusion of floating on the water's surface. Taking advantage of green technologies like a thermal heat pump and solar panels, the house consumes very little energy.

Photos: Mariashot.photo, Blue Sky / Mecanoo

Monocabin

Based in Rhodes, Greece, the Monocabin is bringing Mediterranean minimalism to pre-fab homes. The 85-foot cabins were designed with simplicity in mind. Each one is comprised of modular concrete panels, producing clean lines and bright, white palettes. Walls are punctuated with glazed panels, flooding rooms with natural light while showcasing the landscape of your choice. Interiors are custom-made and already fitted with fixtures, furniture, and appliances along with smart technology and eco-friendly solutions for a complete plug-and-play experience.

Tom Sachs NASA Chair

In a 2012 exhibit called "Space Program: Mars," artist Tom Sachs transformed the Park Avenue Armory into a NASA mission to Mars. The immersive space odyssey consisted of exploratory vehicles, a landscape of the Red Planet, launch platforms, and a mission control with these Nasa folding chairs. Each one measures 31.25" x 17.25" x 19.25" and is made from High-Density Polyethylene and zinc plated steel. Their powder-coated finish features a screen-printed "NASA" on the backrest as well as a hero's signature and individual serial number. The artist adds that they were "used during the mission and contain dust from the Martian surface."

Photos: Tom Sachs

Happy Trails Ranch

Outside of Austin, a former chimpanzee farm has undergone an 8-year transformation to become the Happy Trails Ranch. At the heart of the 150-acre compound is the main house. The structure has been updated with a solid teak kitchen with soapstone surfaces. Shiplap walls and wood plank ceilings are held up by steel i-beams complete the internal palette. Just off the kitchen is a wet bar tucked below an alternating step stairway. The room's wine and whiskey is concealed by an old bank door taken from a Jesse James robbed-building. Overlooking the living area is a library. The cantilevered nook offers a cozy getaway adjacent to a neon cowboy. Also on the property is a 200-year-old reclaimed White Oak barn. The structure originally resided in upstate New York and was carefully disassembled and given new life as a studio on the site. Its rustic presence is contrasted by a sleek, black metal yoga studio. Its sliding doors open out to a serene setting formed by a reflection pool and meditation pond. The rest of the grounds are occupied by a clay tennis court, a sculptural koi fish pond, and a swimming pool.

Photos: Chase Daniels / Root Design

Jule Pond

The Hamptons is full of prime real estate but Jule Pond is the crown jewel of them all. The 42-acre estate comes with the bragging rights to the most expensive price tag in the coveted seaside community as well as the largest ocean frontage, measuring in at 1,286 linear feet. Originally built for Henry Ford in 1960, the main house consists of over 20,000 square feet divided among three wings. Its interior features 12 bedrooms and 12 baths while the exterior offers a basketball court, tennis court, and a 60-foot gunite swimming pool. Bordered by three bonds, the Southhampton property is surrounded by unobstructed views of both Mecox Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Photos: Bespoke Real Estate

Icelandic Lava Stone & Moss Candles

With its active volcanoes and massive glaciers, Iceland is known for having one of the most surreal landscapes on the planet. The Icelandic Lava Stone & Moss Candles embody that rugged spirit by infusing a part of its homeland in each one. The candles are handmade from native soy wax and are infused with the scent of cinnamon apple. Pieces of the wild terrain are featured in the wax with a mixture of local 2000-year old lava stones, Rowan berries, and Icelandic moss. The set includes two candles — one with lava stones and Rowan berries and one with Icelandic moss and Rowan berries — each with a burning time of 80 hours.

Ships as a set of 2 candles.

Height: 4" / Diameter: 3"

Hacienda Pucheguin

It doesn't get more remote than Hacienda Pucheguin. The 348,000-acre property is hidden in the North Chilean Patagonia region among mountains and forests. Its vast wilderness includes woodland valleys filled with 3,500-year-old Cyprus trees, waterfalls, and natural pools. Towering granite rock walls provide a playground for climbers while its miles of riverbanks are ideal for fishing and kayaking. With its diverse landscapes and ecosystems, the piece of land is prime for conservation and development with adventure seekers in mind.

Lost Whiskey Concrete Cabin

Perched on a mountainside along the Appalachian Trail, the Lost Whiskey Concrete Cabin turns cantilevering into a fine art. The 160-square-foot off-grid dwelling is made entirely from pre-cast concrete panels. Its minimalist shell marries with reclaimed wood and steel to create an aesthetic that is equal parts rustic and modern. The interior offers just a single room with a murphy bed and sitting area arranged around a wood burning stove as well as a shower and composite toilet. Large glazed panels create the illusion of space by offering extensive views of the landscape while glass doors open to the deck. Extending off the terrain, the outdoor area features a fire pit, a Dutch hot tub, and a hammock overlooking the vast Virginia wilderness.

Photos: Mitch Allen Photo / Green Spur

Lochside House

Overlooking a lake in the Scottish Highlands, the Lochside House was constructed with great respect to its setting. The off-grid dwelling is made from prefabricated panels for minimal impact on the natural environment. The structure also minimizes its energy use with solar panels and its own water supply, sewage treatment, and electrical systems. Made up of three gabled volumes clad in a palette of stone and larch, it pays homage to the peninsula's vernacular architecture while complementing the pristine setting. Internally, oiled timber and white walls create a soft, airy atmosphere, allowing the surrounding mountains and forest to take the focus.

Photos: Richard Fraser / Haysom Ward Miller Architects

Open x Xiaomi Mars Case House

While we seem to be getting closer and closer to a life on Mars, one studio imagines our future dwellings on the Red Planet. The Open x Xiaomi Mars Case House is a compact, net-zero living pod. Assuming we'll only be able to take the essentials, all of the service components will be inflatable allowing the entire 2.4m x 2.4m x 2m module to be folded for easy transportation. Resources will likely be minimal making recycling heat, energy, and water crucial. Each module will be fitted with an integrated ecosystem that will self-circulate, reusing everything from exhaust to condensation. The project is a collaboration between Open Architecture and electronics company Xiaomi in an effort to combine design and technology in a way that will accommodate the future lifestyles.

Photos: Open Architecture / Xiaomi

Water Mill House

It's not too late to enjoy a house in the Hamptons this year. While summer is its prime, holidays in the seaside village can be just as memorable especially when you have a place like the Water Mill House to gather. The 9,000-square-foot-foot home sits on 5 acres enclosed by horse pastures and farmland. Its interior boasts an ultra-modern design with a glass double-faced fireplace, European-style kitchen, and a glazed staircase. The 8-bedrooms include multiple suites with marble bathrooms, a ground-floor junior suite, and a master with a private terrace featuring another double-sided fireplace while a theater room, wine cellar, and gym round out the resort-like amenities. On the exterior, a bluestone patio is fitted with a pergola overlooking the 50-foot swimming pool and matching spa that'll be waiting for the warmer months roll back around.

Photos: Brown Harris Stevens

Cercal House

Built into a hillside in Alentejo, Portugal, the Cercal House is a modern addition to the rolling terrain. The dwelling takes the form of a traditional gabled structure while a sleek white facade and clean lines create a contemporary context. Its minimalist aesthetic continues on the interior where the presence of natural light creates a bright, airy atmosphere. The main living area occupies the center of the home. Fitted with a pair of sliding doors, the entire wall opens, removing all boundaries between the interior and the landscape and expanding the room out to a poolside terrace.

Photos: Richard John Seymour / Atelier Data

Spirit Ranch Retreat

Whether it's day or night, Utah's landscape is something to behold. The Spirit Ranch Retreat takes advantage of both the celestial and the desert views from both the inside and the out. The house sits on 20 acres bordering Capitol Reef National Park. Its weathered steel, timber, and concrete exterior are at home among the rugged setting. Internally, natural materials and neutral hues throughout the 2,149-square-foot interior compliment the scenery showcased through expansive panels of floor-to-ceiling glazing. Just off the main living area, a stone patio featuring an outdoor fireplace overlooks the unspoiled wilderness while a terrace outside the master bedroom offers a front row seat to the night sky.

Photos: Jed Pearson / Coldwell Banker

Wuyuan Skywells Hotel

Housed in a 300-year-old mansion, the Wuyuan Skywells Hotel brings ancient China to the present day. The property is located in the historic village of Yan village — a secluded town that is free of cars. Built during the Qing dynasty, the building is full of original architecture and artifacts most of which were preserved during its renovation. The interior now offers 14 guest rooms situated around one of three skywells. While they maintain authentic details like stone walls and intricate wood carvings, each one is fitted with modern amenities for a comfortable stay. An on-site bar and restaurant infuse Western influences into local specialties while the tea room showcases Wuyuan's wild teas gathered from the surrounding mountains.

Photos: Marc Goodwin and Xia Zhi / Wuyuan Skywells Hotel

Kloof 119A House

Surrounded by the best South African landscapes, the Kloof 119A House's masterful use of glazing ensures no view goes unseen. The most prominent feature is its inverted pyramid roof. Fitted with a clerestory window, the ceiling displays Table Mountain and Lion's Head for the main living areas on the uppermost level. Additional panels of floor-to-ceiling glass frame in scenery that includes Signal Hill and the mountains of the Boland. While there's no shortage of views from the interior, the most dramatic panorama comes from the poolside terrace that looks over the city of Cape Town and to the Winelands beyond.

Photos: Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle / SAOTA

Robert Redford's Wine County Retreat

Whether you're here for the Hollywood royalty or the Napa Valley views, Robert Redford's Wine County Retreat won't disappoint. The 5,255-square-foot home is nestled among ancient oak trees on a 10-acre plot in the city of St. Helena. Formally known as Danza del Sol, the California sanctuary embodies its sun-inspired moniker with a light-filled interior consisting of three bedrooms and three baths. It features tongue and groove ceilings, exposed beams, and extensive views of the landscape while a poolside terrace with a redwood hot tub, 960-square-foot detached garage, and an artist's studio rounds out the exterior highlights.

Photos: Compass Real Estate

Otto Car Club

Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Otto Car Club is a hub for elite car collectors. The members-only club is housed in a 47,000-square-foot facility offering climate-controlled storage for your most prized possessions. Their main building can hold 185 vehicles while an addition 20 private storage garages give owner's 24-house access to up to 4 rides. A smartphone app keeps your collection in the palm of your hand as well as notifying you about exclusive member experiences and events like track days and speaker series. Enrollment also comes with free reign of the lounge, private conference room, and dining room and perks ranging from car detailing to transportation.