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In a break from his regular programming, lighting designer Brendan Ravenhill built a floating sauna that’s a love letter to New England’s functional but cozy architecture. With friends and family, Brendan makes an occasion of rowing out to the sauna for a sweat followed by a cold plunge during the summer.

Architect Sergio Araneda designed a contemporary timber-wrapped cabin on a remote site in Malalcahuello, Chile.

Bøhn Cabin floor plan

While most of the interior is clad in wood, the bathroom is covered in a sleek gray tile.

An exterior view of the main residence highlighting its large lot and tranquil setting.

Conveniently located in their backyard, the office allows the couple to run their practice while staying close to their kids.

The master bathroom features terracotta wall tiles from Tabarka, round mirrors from CB2, and faucets from Kohler. The vanity was made by Wedgewood, a local company.

While the owners really liked the idea of shou sugi ban, they opted for a more cost-effective black stain. The random-width, reverse board-and-batten siding reflects the wabi-sabi concept. “The builder said the math for the random siding was torturous,” the wife said. “We didn’t know how hard it was to make things look simple.” DeNiord planted hay-scented fern and lowbush blueberry sod around the house. “We didn't want any side of the house to feel unconsidered,” he says. As for the local boulders he placed around the house and terrace, he says, “They give the feeling that the house grew up around the outcroppings.”

Loon Lake Retreat site plan

The Lofthouse is built one of the many hills separating it from the couple’s main residence. "Excavation was a challenge, as we wanted to maintain as much of the existing landscape as possible, but needed to clear out trees for the foundation," says Tarah.

Stafford Residence floor plan

The living room is warmed by a Morsø 1440 cast-iron stove and features a pair of calfskin folding seats that are original to the house.

The lot’s second home was demolished to make room for a large backyard by L.A. standards. The picture window provides an interesting perch.

The verandas provide a threshold between the internal and external spaces. “They soften the abrupt change and mediate the relationship between inside and out,” says architect Ben Shields.

The ability to open the living and dining area to the pool and terrace makes the home ideal for entertaining.

The original home on the site was developed in 1936 as a 1,250-square-foot residence with two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. Architect Joseph Dangaran wanted to respect this modest scale when he designed a new home for his family.

Rising to a catwalk above, a huge glass-and-steel central stair envisioned by architect Filippo Caprioglio spans four floors of the Chiavellis’ newly expanded house.