Austin Dwellings

The Casita 850 modular model emphasizes indoor/outdoor living with a flexible two-bedroom and one-bath layout.

A wall covered in graphite-colored Ann Sacks tile runs from the kitchen out to the covered porch. Similarly, the sheetrock ceiling and the concrete flooring are extended from inside to outside—a cost-saving measure that provides visual continuity. The Hot Mesh outdoor dining chairs are by Blu Dot.

In Texas, where everything is bigger, Ryan McLaughlin is placing his bets on something small. Specifically, a simple 160-square-foot cabin that he hopes city-dwellers will book to get away, find some focus, and reconnect with nature. The result is a laidback, pitched-roof cabin in which every inch of space is thoughtfully allotted so that guests can spend the maximum amount of time outdoors.

When Austin-based firm Matt Fajkus Architecture was tasked with renovating this classic midcentury home, they sought to open up the interior—not only by unifying the common areas into an open-plan layout, but also by literally raising the home's roof. This strategy increased the ceiling height on three sides of the home, allowing for the insertion of clerestory windows to create a bright and airy open living space. "The raised ceiling maintains the original pitched roof geometry to stay harmonious with the existing gabled roof in the private zone," explain the architects in a statement.

ArtisTree's cabin towers 25 feet above the stream of water below, and it's anchored by ropes, chains, and cables.

Fronted with full-height, double-glazed openings, the studio frames east-facing views of the creek-bed and beyond.

The double-height living space is anchored by a wood-burning stove by Lopi in the corner. The large east-facing window on the far wall floods the room with magical morning light. All the windows and doors are by Quantum.

The east side of the living space opens up to a spectacular double-story wall of glass framed by vertical wood mullions and horizontal aluminum H-channels. A six-foot roof overhang protects the glazing from solar gain.

Beautiful white oak has been used for most of the flooring.

The main house was given a contemporary look by way of a metal roof and a black exterior.

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls on both sides of the main living room allow sweeping views straight through the house.

An 8-kW solar array powers the majority of the home's annual energy use, while a five-ton geothermal system provides mechanical heating and cooling. A 30,000-gallon rainwater collection system feeds the home with 200 gallons of purified water daily.

Designed to comfortably accommodate three to five employees, the 1,000-square-foot home office that Matt Fajkus Architecture has recently built beautifully complements an existing midcentury abode in Austin, Texas.

The Palm Springs tucks three bedrooms and two baths in 1,369 square feet for $349,000.

The house has two modules: a living space on the left and a utilities, laundry, and outdoor kitchen on the right.

The Schulman yurt fits three adults with a queen bed and a pull-away bed. It comes with heating and bath essentials.