Dragonfly Pavilion

Resting in a backyard garden, the Dragonfly Pavilion is inspired by the wings of its flying namesake. The rectangular structure serves as an outdoor space for a Hoboken townhouse, acting as a connector between the exterior terrace and the garden. Its walls are made from intricate patterns reminiscent of a dragonfly's wings. The geometric detailing is formed by sustainably harvested and FSC-certified Sapele mahogany woven between a recycled aluminum frame. Screen inserts keep the insects at bay while still allowing natural light to flow through. Fitted with a built-in bench, the shelter can easily transition from a dining room to a reading nook or a yoga studio as desired. The entire project was prefabricated off-site and assembled on the property in less than a week.

Photos: John Muggenborg / CDR Studio

Dune Road House

Wedged between Mecox Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the Dune Road House brings clean lines and modern luxury to the Bridgehampton coastline. The home stands four stories tall with elevator access throughout. Its bottom level can store up to four cars and offers an electric car charging station. Above, the first floor houses five en-suite bedrooms including the master with his and her bathrooms, dressing rooms, and a private terrace. Located on the second level, the main living area features a 50-foot glass wall that opens out to an expansive 1,000 square-foot terrace overlooking the bay. The main attraction is the rooftop deck. Equipped with a custom pool, outdoor kitchen, and firepit, the open-air space affords 360-degree views of the dual waterfronts.

Photos: Bespoke Real Estate

High Horse Ranch

Comprised of a main house and two guest cottages, the High Horse Ranch is a serene getaway in the mountains of Northern California. A winding, gravel road leads to the 64-acre compound. Sited on the edge of a ravine, the property overlooks wooded meadows filled with Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, and old oak trees. The main house is perched above the small cabins. All three structures share a material palette of reclaimed wood, cor-ten steel, and floor-to-ceiling glazing. While each one is equipped with its own bedroom, bathroom, covered porch, and fire pit, they also offer their own unique views of the surrounding landscape.

Photos: Tim Griffith / Kieran Timberlake Architecture

Tom's House

Situated on a small hillside near Kawarau Falls in Queenstown, Tom's Cabin will please architecture and adventure buffs alike. The off-grid cabin's mix of modern asymmetrical lines and blackened timber cladding has racked up numerous architectural awards, including New Zealand's Best Small Home 2016. Surrounded by mountains, the plywood-lined interior takes advantage of the views while offering a cozy retreat with enough beds to sleep six. A wood-fired stove and a cedar hot tub allow for relaxing moments on the property or you can opt to head off-site to explore the hiking trails and bike tracks nearby.

Photos: Airbnb

California Ghost Town

Get started on your own Westworld with Cerro Gordo. Spanning over 300 acres, this Lone Pine Ghost Town dates back to the 19th century. Almost 22 buildings still remain, including a hotel, bunkhouse, church and several family homes all backed by the Sierra Mountains. The property also serves as a mining operation and all of the mineral rights come along with it. Humanoid hosts not included.

Photos: Realtor Jake Rasmuson

Smith House

Designed by Craig Ellwood in 1958, the Smith House is a modernist icon. In its prime, the home was featured in multiple publications including Architectural Review. Today, the steel post and beam home has been meticulously restored by architect James Tyler. Its two wings form a T-shape with the two bedrooms running parallel with the property and the main living area extending out over the Los Angeles hillside. Inside, red brick, wood paneling, and floor-to-ceiling windows give the interior an authentic mid-century vibe. Between the glazed facade and the 530 square feet of decking, views of the Santa Monica Bay are always on display.

Photos: Deasy/Penner

Stockholm Summer House

Combining the best of Japanese and Scandinavian design, the Stockholm Summer House is a minimalist coastal retreat. The timber-clad dwelling is located on an island in Sweden's largest archipelago. It's comprised of an existing cottage and a new construction. Both structures are connected to one another by a shared roof, creating a covered terrace below. Surrounded by both the forest and the sea, the home is a direct reflection of the natural setting. Windows, patios, and entire rooms were intentionally placed to capture the best scenes of the rustic pines in the rear and the shoreline ahead. Lined with panels of light plywood, its interior showcases the dual aesthetics, emphasizing simplicity, natural materials, and the surrounding nature.

Photos: Måns Berg / Kod Arkitekter

Haddock House

The Haddock House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938 but it was almost 40 years before the home was finally realized. Although it was built after the architect's death, the construction and location were overseen by Wright's firm Taliesin Associated Architects. The residence has flown under the radar for privacy reasons but has recently come out of hiding to go on the market for the first time. Like most of the icon's work, the Usonian-style home harmoniously sits on a 10-acre property in Ann Arbor, surrounded by an old-growth forest. Its two bedroom interior is a mixture of rich woods and brick offering double-height ceilings, expansive glazing, intricate cutouts, and two fireplaces. Around the exterior, you'll find a workshop, gated drive, and a terrace overlooking Honey Creek.

Photos: The Barrett Group

Casa Xolotl

Housed in historic colonial residence, the Casa Xolotl offers an authentic stay in Mérida. The preexisting structure serves as the main house containing the living room, dining room, kitchen, and a guest suite. Inside, its ancient aesthetic is contrasted by a mix of graphic tiles, bold artwork, and modern furniture. At the rear of the property, a detached villa serves as the master suite. The linking factor between the old and new constructions is the central terrace. Enclosed by the remains of the original stone walls, the patio draws guests to the outdoor space with a sitting area, hammock, and free-flowing swimming pool.

Photos: Tamara Uribe / Punto Arquitectónico

Fjord House

Located in the Danish city of Vejle, the Fjord House emerges from the water like a modern fortress. The surrounding architecture inspired the structure which is made from 970,000 bricks, formed into a series of cylinders and concave walls. Accessed by a drawbridge, the ground level is open to the public where you'll find various art pieces from the building's designer Olafur Eliasson, as well as a series of arched windows overlooking the harbor. The interior's remaining three stories house the headquarters of Kirk Kapital, a wealth management firm owned by direct descendants of LEGO founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen.

Photos: Anders Sune Berg / Studio Other Spaces

Reebok Headquarters

Reebok is setting up shop in Boston's Seaport District. Located in the Innovation and Design Building, the 220,000 square-foot headquarters puts fitness at the forefront. It features a two-story gym that is basically a cross-fit paradise, although, the 30,000 square-foot facility can also accommodate a number of other workout styles with a boxing ring, spin room, and yoga and barre studios. But before employees can get their sweat on, they must put in their hours in the open workplace. The space is free of offices and assigned seating, allowing for constant interaction between staff. The site is finished off with a cafe, design lab, and massive retail store.

Photos: Garrett Rowland / Gensler

Ayvalaan House

Glass, concrete, and wood come together to form a modern dwelling in Guatemala. The Ayvalaan House is situated on a hillside in country's capital. Its rough concrete facade contrasts the surrounding lush landscape while glazed walls give the bulky material a weightless quality. Inside, the lowest level is reserved for offices, leaving the main living area on the ground floor. Floating staircases lead throughout a network of internal and external mezzanines and terraces intersecting the double-height interior. At the home's highest point are the master suite and a pair of guest rooms. Taking advantage of their lofted location, the private areas offer prime views of the valley below.

Photos: Andrés Asturias / Paz Arquitectura

Casa La Roja

Backed by the mountains of San José de Maipo, Casa La Roja makes a vibrant impression on the Chilean landscape. Like the name implies, the cabin is clad in a bright red facade. The bold color choice allows the modest structure to stand out against the surrounding mounds of greenery. Unlike the exterior, the interior carries a more muted palette with walls lined in blonde plywood and neutral floor tiles. Windows cased in a contrasting black steel frame in views of the local scenery while sliding glass doors expand the ground floor out to a double-height veranda. In the ceiling above, glazed inserts bring natural light down and into the main living area below.

Photos: Fernando Alda / Felipe Assadi Arquitectos

Cabanon Retreat

Mimicking the white sand beaches of Turks and Caicos, the Cabanon Retreat adds a modern abode to the Caribbean. The home is made of two wings — a private and a public. Like the concrete facade, the interior of the home also draws inspiration from the island with rich mahogany finishes. Large panels of glazing immerse living spaces in the turquoise waters while also sliding open to an expansive terrace. While it provides a link between the separate quarters, the patio also leads to an infinity swimming pool offering extensive views out over the sea.

Photos: Joe Fletcher / Rick Joy Architecture

Marin County Shack

From the exterior courtyard to the warm wood interior, the Marin County Shack is a weekend retreat you'll never want to leave. The home was originally built in the 1930s. While most of the house has been renovated, it was full of rare treasures like old growth redwood siding, original Douglas Fir ceilings, and a Sonoma stone fireplace that was salvaged for the new project. A two-story addition connects to the existing structure offering a living room and upper-level master suite with views reaching Mount Baldy. The outdoor garden received just as much attention as the internal spaces. Designed by the owner who is also a landscape architect, the multi-level terrace features a 36-foot lap pool, a spa, and a curated selection of trees and native grasses that compliments the Northern California landscape.

Photos: Phil Bond / Feldman Architecture

Fuchun Boat Rooms

Inspired by the water tribes of the Ming dynasty, the Fuchun Boat Rooms provide a tranquil lakeside stay in rural China. The hut-like rooms are situated on the shoreline, appearing to float over the water like a boat. Each cabin is designed to evoke the ancient culture of boat-living life with an arched timber form. Interiors are completely lined with warm wood planks, aside from a massive skylight above the bed and an end glazed wall. The glass facade leads out to a terrace overlooking the aquatic landscape and giving guests the feeling of drifting down the river.

Photos: Aoguan Performance of Architecture / China Academy of Art

Hotel Misincu

You can add Corsica to your Mediterranean wishlist thanks to Hotel Misincu. The first five-star accommodations on the island, the waterfront retreat occupies 70-acres on the Cap Corse peninsula. The 29 rooms and suites infuse traditional Cycladic style with modern furnishing offering warm neutral hues and sea views. An additional 11 villas provide extra privacy and are fitted with private pools, gardens, and a personal concierge. The property also hosts a pair of restaurants, including a Michelin-star seafood eatery, as well as a spa with a Turkish bath and pink pool.

Planar House

Using a horizontal design and a green roof, the Planar House seamlessly integrates itself into the Brazilian landscape. The home is located in the municipality of Porto Feliz. Made from a pair of stacked concrete slabs separated by a series of pillars, the structure maintains a low profile not to distract from the natural setting. Its flat roof is clad in grass, blending the exterior into the surrounding lawn. The interior is encased in a glass facade. Aside from offering expansive views, the glazing slides open to a poolside terrace transforming the main living area into an open-air pavilion.

Photos: Fernando Guerra / Studio MK27

iOhouse Space

Put down your roots over and over again with the iOhouse Space. The self-contained, off-grid home allows you to live wherever you want and when you're done, just pick up and move. All of the utilities like water, electricity, heating, and wifi are already integrated into the home and are controlled by your smartphone or tablet. Just because they upped the sustainability factor doesn't mean they skimped on design. The interior is constructed from a contemporary mix of wood, metal, glass, and wool and comes complete with kitchen and living room furniture, bedroom furnishings, and bathroom fittings. All you'll need is the perfect location.

63 Wall Street Speakeasy

Fitness centers, valets, swimming pools: high-rise living has its perks, but 63 Wall Street might have them all beat. Along with the usual list of luxury amenities, the complex also comes with its own speakeasy. The residents-only lounge is straight out of the 1920s, drawing from the building's historic heritage with rich wood paneling, original brass chandeliers, and authentic Victorian oil paintings. There's also a mix of modern pieces like the custom-made banquette and bold ceramic tile. The showpiece of the room is the custom-made bar. Crafted from Calacatta Paonazzo marble and antique brass, the piece is the perfect compliment to an Old Fashioned.

Photos: 63 Wall Street

Black H House

Combining big landscapes and minimal design, the Black H House is the ideal way to take in Scotland's Isle of Skye. The two black boxes are situated on the waterfront. Its interior offers an open living and kitchen area with a single bedroom. White walls and concrete floors continue the exterior's muted aesthetic, allowing the views to take center stage. Loch Vatten towards Macleod's Tables can be seen through north-facing floor-to-ceiling glazing while Loch Bracadale is highlighted to the south.

Photos: Felix Mooneeram / Urlaubs Architektur

Whidbey Retreat

Sited in a grove of second growth cedar on an island in the state of Washington, the Whidbey Retreat is where a pair of artists get inspired. The property is made up of the main house, two artist studios, and a garage. Although surrounded by a rustic landscape, the buildings take on a contrasting industrial presence created by a palette of concrete, galvanized metal, polycarbonate, and bright primary hues. Inside, concrete floors and white walls provide a neutral interior that allows the artwork to shine. Skylights and clerestory windows along the sloped roofline wash the space with natural light while panels of glazing wrap the living areas with views of the forest and nearby meadow.

Photos: Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

Hotel Pacai

Formerly the residence of Lithuanian nobles, Hotel Pacai lets you live like royalty while in Vilnius. The 104 guest rooms are housed in the Baroque palace. Built in 1677, the property is overflowing with ancient statues and authentic artifacts, including a mysterious staircase and restored outdoor courtyard. These historic elements are balanced with modern finishes throughout the rooms and suites creating a regal atmosphere. Along with a full-service spa, the property also hosts a lounge and a brasserie. The 40-seat eatery is head by Noma co-founder Claus Meyer and features Baltic-inspired dishes that highlight locally found seasonal ingredients.

Flophouze Hotel

Everything is bigger in Texas except when you're at the Flophouze Hotel. The property consists of six tiny homes laid out on a farm in Round Top. Each unit is made from a recycled shipping container that has been decked out in salvaged goods. Everything from the reclaimed distillery timber to the bowling alley floor countertops has been repurposed and given a new life. Interiors are furnished with vintage rugs and global artwork provided by their "mothership" Recycling the Past. During your stay, guests can enjoy the cozy atmosphere while running through the curated vinyl collection or lounge around on the hammocks and sip on a complimentary Mexican Coke.

Casa Zicatela

Solid. Harsh. Unassuming. At least that's what Casa Zicatela is giving on the outside. But beyond its concrete barrier is an intricate network of stone staircases and open-air spaces. Located near the beach in Oaxaca, Mexico, the monolithic structure is made entirely from board-form concrete. Massive steps lead you down to a mini oasis with grassy courtyards woven around pools of water. Rooms are arranged around the central terrace where exposed concrete dominates the palette. Interiors are accessed by folding wooden screens, adding warmth to the otherwise coarse facade. When open, they flood the spaces with natural light while offering views of the coastal sky.

Photos: Rory Gardiner / Ludwig Godefroy

Casa Terra

Surrounded by the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, Casa Terra mimics the rusty colors of the neighboring peaks with its own reddish hue. The home is laid out as a series of irregular interlocking volumes. These units are formed by rows of pigmented concrete extending out from a central walkway. Each pair of perpendicular walls is capped with a glazed facade, forming the individual rooms. Paired with the home's hilltop plot, these glass walls afford extensive views of the landscape while also opening out to multiple terraces. At the heart of the home is the main living area. Its oversized roof creates a massive outdoor veranda which leads to an expansive swimming pool.

Photos: Leonardo Finotti / Bernardes Arquitetura

Switchback House

The Switchback House brings the 19-century Brooklyn row house to the modern day with a slick new design. As the name implies, the first change is removing the traditional stacked staircase and replacing it with a switchback. The concept then adds a skylight above the new passageway. This updated layout eliminates the former hallways, opening the space and connecting adjacent rooms. It also allows the natural light from above to reach every level of the interior, illuminating the home without any artificial light. The result is a bright and open revision of the historic architecture.

Photos: Kevin Kunstadt / Light and Air