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The most sustainable element of all is the Lais’ intention to make their first home their last home as well. “Some people have this mentality of getting a starter house, then upgrading from there,” David says. “We just wanted to find a place to live in and then stay there forever.” Eventually they imagine passing the home down to their children.

The larch rainscreen covering the second floor give the house a light appearance and also provides privacy. Though it's difficult for outsiders to look in, the openings between the slats of wood let the family sneak views to the outside.

Building the cabin himself stretched Tim's carpentry skills, but allowed the architect to explore material and construction techniques..

Sporting a crisp white facade, the one-level residence sits surrounded by palm trees and native landscaping, all while offering striking views of the San Jacinto Mountain range.

Renter Hannah Delagi and her neighbor, Hannah Lange, relax under the light diffused by plastic panels that front the units.

In cooler weather, radiant heating is embedded beneath the wood floors.

In the evening, the tiny cabin glows like a lantern

The kitchen countertops, made of white manufactured Quartz, cost $2600 including material, fabrication, and a clean waterfall edge. The backsplash is composed of textural Inedita tile in 5x5 squares. “They are really beautiful; they have this sculpted shape,

Just over two hours' drive from Toronto, the Stony Lake setting is an opportunity for stargazing.

“When you use raw materials you get surprises. It’s a wanted lack of control,” says Mehdi.

“I am becoming an architect every day. School doesn’t teach you—life does,” Mehdi says.

In the living room, a burned spruce ceiling—inspired by shou sugi ban, the Japanese technique of charring cedar—contrasts with rendered concrete walls and a polished white concrete floor divided into rectangles by thin brass insets. A Toot sofa by Piero Lissoni for Cassina is paired with Mad Queen armchairs by Marcel Wanders for Poliform and Pebble coffee tables by Air Division for Ligne Roset. The antique rug was bought at the Casablanca souk.

The low-slung profile of the home was preserved, and all of the windows and doors were replaced for better insulation and energy efficiency.

Comprising 11 modules, this green-roofed prefab was built in 90 days in a factory near São Paulo and then transported to the site in three shipments on flatbed trucks.