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Vanbesien and his nine-year-old son.

Architect TaeByoung Yim designed a compact residence in Seoul, Korea, with designated space for studying and entertaining.

This rentable cabin is located on a wooded 14-acre property a stone’s throw from Woodstock and a two-hour drive from the Big Apple. Built from wood locally sourced in the Catskills, the sprawling 743-square-foot treehouse has a unique geometric form with big windows, skylights, and decking that creates a seamless transition to the great outdoors.

A shed roof descends from the living/dining area, extending beyond its edge to shield an expansive porch from the elements.

The three arms of the Apfel House stretch out to catch the best views of Ranco Lake and the Andes Mountains.

The two new buildings create a courtyard-like feel in the small urban backyard.

Many elements of the home can be controlled remotely from the residents’ smart phones, including internal temperatures. The GPS on their phones will activate heating systems 20 minutes in advance of their arrival to optimize energy consumption. A similar system is employed for the showers; a water recirculation pump fills the pipes with hot water five minutes before a scheduled shower time.

The dining room table transforms into a pool table for recreation.

New pine and spruce wood from the Pyrenees (both recyclable and PEFC certified) were selected for the façade of the 1,000-square-foot prefab. Smart blinds cover the windows, rigged to open and close depending on the weather forecast.

A Vipp kitchen and fireplace offer an upscale dining experience, even in the wilderness.

The sleeping area features skylights that allow for stargazing at night.

Danish brand Vipp allows guests to book design-forward rooms in the form of a lakeside prefab, an urban loft, and a converted industrial building. Vipp got its start in 1939 with a pedal-controlled trash bin (a design that now sits among MoMA’s permanent design collection). In 2015, the company introduced a prefab shelter, and now, it’s branching out again—this time into the hospitality industry with the opening of the Vipp hotel.

The creekside Fish Camp prototype rests on oversize flood-rated pylons, one of many foundation options the Camp units can accommodate.

The LV prototype’s bathroom shows how buyers can vary finish levels according to budget.