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Floor Plan of Casa Cero by Estudio Sur Arquitectos

Architect David Dowell and his wife, Kathy, took a decade to determine what they wanted to do with the historic 12-acre property they bought in eastern Kansas. The couple eventually opted to renovate and expand the modest limestone cottage that was already there. The resulting 1,250-square-foot getaway sits on the rolling plain amid elm, silver maple, and eastern red cedar trees. “You don’t have to choose between old and new,” says David. “It’s a false construct in our brain to even think that way.”

Whether or not different add-ons and features are included, all LOVT models have the same layout and 275 square feet of living space.

The 225-square-foot primary ensuite features a wall of sliding glass doors that connect the space to the lush backyard.

"The owner wanted the front door to match the same yellow of Caterpillar, the heavy machinery company,

The homeowner, an inventor, shows off a working Bunsen burner in the kitchen.

Floor Plan of Leschi Inventor’s House by Olson Kundig

Floor Plan of Woodlands Hideout by Further Society and Arbor and Co.

The Hideout is currently available for rent on Airbnb. “Obviously you can get off the grid and go to a more traditional cabin or camping, but to have a space that’s also designed very internationally brings it to the next level of that experience,” says Castillero.

“I envision people writing their books, music, refuelling their creative flow,” says Castillero. He should know about its energizing power more than anyone, really: it brought him back to his love of architecture, after all. “It’s truly my new happy place.”

Durable VCT tiles were used for the floor. Though this material is typically used in a checkered pattern (you’ll find them in grocery stores, for instance) but all in one finish, it makes for a sophisticated, lightly flecked look.

The bathroom is decked out entirely in a material called Coosa, a plywood alternative that’s becoming popular in the boating and marine construction world. “The material can live underwater,” says Castillero.

Castillero and Reed took inspiration from Norwegian design, keeping things cozy but minimalist with OSB cladding and a monochromatic palette.

“I wanted the main focal point to be the outside,” says Castillero. “By minimizing what’s inside, even the slope of the roof makes you turn and look outside.”

This particular cabin may be done, but Castillero and Reed are just getting started. “I like the idea of working on something and tweaking and perfecting it,” says Castillero, who is now envisioning building a network for Hideouts, each iteration improving on the next to provide an even better getaway for creatives to disconnect with the world and reconnect with nature.

The designers found OSB without traditional stampings of construction-grade OSB and clad the interior with it for an organic but utilitarian texture. “ I didn’t want anything in the space to be fake,” says Castillero. “I didn’t want it to pretend to be anything it wasn’t.”

Vigo Plumbing provided the matte black plumbing fixtures.

Japanese company Balmuda donated small appliances that fit perfectly in the compact space: a convection toaster oven, kettle and lantern.

“Certain people don’t feel comfortable camping alone. But in a space like this it feels much safer, and having the amenities — a hot shower, a wood stove, the ability to do some simple cooking — is just perfect," says Castillero.