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"You look down to the water, and you know you’ve arrived somewhere and escaped the world behind you," says architect Ravi Handa.

The large sliding doors in the common area open to the courtyard to bring the outside in.

During storm season, nature’s awe-inspiring light show is on full display through the oversized windows.

The vestibule is the entry point, and it also separates the sleeping area of the house from the communal areas.

Appliances are hidden behind white panelling in the kitchen. A built-in nook in the kitchen entrance creates a niche to drop your things and disconnect from the road.

The siting of the home was intended to take advantage of the proximity to Lake Ontario, with windows aimed at the waterfront wherever possible.

The gable roof and L-shaped structure add a buffer against the sound of winds blowing at up to 45 miles per hour. “You don’t hear the outside,” says Ravi.

The mezzanine is fenced by slats of whitewashed pine, and acts as the children’s playroom and hangout space.

Even as the square footage of this cottage in Fayston, Vermont, shrank in response to budget constraints, architect Elizabeth Herrmann remained focused on making the space feel warm and functional for a family of four and their dog and cat. "I think the trick to making small spaces feel much larger is to design the experience of being there,

Light oak panels by Finsa clad both the kitchen cabinetry and the built-in units that appear in the living room and entryway. "We used natural materials where we could, but we were also mindful of keeping high-touch surfaces durable," explains Anne-Marie Armstrong, co-principal of AAmp Studio.

In the open-plan living area, one of the highlights is the natural light-filled kitchen from Italian manufacturer Armony.

A fire pit between two wings of the home encourages outdoor living.

A simple floor plan emphasizes the rugged materiality of this elongated, cabin-style home in Valle de Bravo.

The rear of the garage and studio is fitted with a slatted screen, which creates unique shadows on the stairwell and inside the unit. The outdoor room also benefits from views of the lake and is anchored by a two-sided, white brick fireplace.

Nestled in a forest of tall pines in the Stockholm Archipelago, the exterior of this island home is clad entirely in folded black sheet metal. Three glazed sliding doors with hardwood frames provide entrances and direct access to the outdoor areas.

Now available to rent on Airbnb, the revamped 1950s dwelling, known as The Surf Cabin, features airy interiors with laid-back vibes for a breezy weekend getaway.