How They Pulled It Off is our ongoing series where we take a close look at one particularly challenging aspect of a home design and get the nitty-gritty details about how it became a reality.

From a hobbit-worthy house in Buenos Aires to a floating bedroom in Berlin, these 10 standout projects show just how’s it done.

A Secret Stair Hatch That Seals Off the Living Space

An 18th-Century-Inspired Farm Fence That Keeps Sheep and Their People Happy

Making the Bedroom Float in This Berlin Loft

A Mirrored Portal Between Two Rooms

A Custom Conversation Pit in a Lakefront A-Frame

A Hot Tub Built Into a Boulder

Retrofitting a Home Against Wildfire

A House Built Into a Hill

A Sprawling Garden Inspired By a Neighboring National Park

A Faux Skylight and Fireplace in the Middle of a Duplex Apartment

Also Appears In

10 Stunning Architectural Feats—and How They Pulled Them Off