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The top priorities for Chalet M—a small, plywood cabin in the suburban area of São Lourenço da Serra in São Paulo, Brazil—were to ensure the lightest possible footprint on its forest site, and to maximize the experience of being one with nature for its owners.

The newly constructed residence was built on the old home's footprint. By expanding vertically, the family was able to gain about 1,000 square feet of living space, increasing interior living area from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.

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.

A panel in the Megacabinet swings open to reveal a hidden reading nook.

The wood-burning stove in the living room is from Stuv. Plywood-lined ceilings lend a sense of warmth to the industrial-inspired palette. The rug and coffee table are from Habitat.

The Hive was completed in May 2015 for a total construction cost of $160,000.

Part tent, part RV, the NASA-inspired Cricket Trailer is the go-to camper for the modern road tripper.

From his home in New Westminster, the commute to Randy's new office takes just 30 seconds.

An exterior canopy extends to create an outdoor living area. Solar panels adorn the roof, catching the sun's rays and generating power for living off-grid.

Lagos has raised the cabin above the ground on supporting steel to avoid damaging any of the existing trees on site.

Dubldom presently offers five different models that range from 280-square-foot studios to 1,400-square-foot, three-bedroom dwellings that work well for families.

Conceived as an escape from city living, this 2,580-square-foot prefab comprises two primary and 11 secondary modules, while the 290-square-foot guest cabins consist of single modules craned into place atop concrete piers.

The exterior’s charcoal metal paint finish helps recede the cabin into the surroundings.

For Bret and Dani Stone’s house in Santa Barbara, California, Barber Builders erected a concrete-and-steel ground level capable of supporting a second story made mostly of shipping containers. While the project as a whole took 19 months, the containers were craned into place in a single day in 2016.