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The black facade of the Yatabes’ house may turn a darkly futuristic face to its suburban block, but behind it the house is full of light. In Saitama, a tightly packed neighborhood near Tokyo, the black metal screen affords the family privacy without sacrificing outdoor space.

The San Francisco–based landscape architect Andrea Cochran has an impressive portfolio of projects ranging in scale from private residences to school campuses and public parks.

This dreamy, glass bedroom by the lake was created as an early prototype for the prefabricated greenhouse/she kits known as the Kekkilä Green Sheds.

Walden Amidst the Thai Treetops (Bangkok, Thailand) A team of Thai architects and designers took Thoreau’s natural guidebook as gospel when creating this eco-friendly tree house, which sits on stilts made from reclaimed wood and bamboo. The listing’s own storytelling—imagine sitting on the daybed with a glass of wine and that special someone, listening to the wind wind through the coconut trees and wind turbine—sounds like Harlequin crossed with Mother Jones, but, cliches and eco-consciousness aside, it sounds very inviting. Listing at Breathtaking Chao Praya River View

Simultaneously rustic and space-age the Elqui Domos Astronomical Hotel would be an ideal environment for a night under the stars. Rodrigo Duque Motta. Pisco Elqui. Chile. Photo by Rodrigo Duque Motta.

From a visual standpoint it is quite different from the Mediterranean-influenced, stucco walls of most Caribbean resorts. It's built of block and reinforced concrete which makes for an interesting contrast to the lush surroundings of the island, and it stands up to extreme weather and hurricane-force gales. Photo by Michael Grimm.

Like the other buildings onsite, John Hix designed Casa Solaris to take advantage of the natural forces here in Vieques; wind, sun and rain. By creating open spaces, where basically the fourth wall is missing, John created a space that takes advantage of the trade winds that flow through the Vieques hills. By placing the open wall towards the trade winds (to the East), the room is constantly cooled, leaving no need for air conditioning. Photo by Michael Grimm.

The bathrooms recycle gray water from sinks and showers to help irrigate the surrounding landscape which includes native plants like hibiscus, banana, key lime, and ginger. Amenities include Rusk eco-friendly soaps, Frette towels, and Neeva Gayle night shirts. Photo by Michael Grimm.

The Rothschild 71 hotel, located in a 1934 building, was originally a dental clinic. When Dr. Klieger opened his practice, he lived upstairs and rented out the remaining accommodations. Today they property is still owned by the same family.

The two new cabins, also by Jensen & Skodvin Architects, are built on a steep hillside. They are held aloft by narrow steel rods and clad in a lumber stained to blend into the natural surroundings.

Each room was designed by a group of young interior designers and features details like custom wood installations, concrete furniture, rugs by Lagos del Mundo, and works by contemporary artists curated by Arróniz Galería. The black stairs lead up to a private roof deck perfect for sunbathing and enjoying views of the city rising around the hotel.

The hotel harvests bees on the roof and makes use of the honey in its bakery.