Outdoor

A lush, protected courtyard allows homeowners to enjoy the outdoors but maintain privacy.

Built to go off the grid, this remote beachside cottage can open up completely to the outdoors with its series of movable wall-sized glass panels and screens. Designed by Herbst Architects, the modest New Zealand bach comprises two rectangular pavilions built with mostly natural materials chosen for their durability, texture, and weathering characteristics.

Fed up with flashy, environmentally insensitive beach homes, architect Gerald Parsonson and his wife, Kate, designed a humble hideaway nestled behind sand dunes along the New Zealand coastline. Crafted in the image of a modest Kiwi bach, their 1,670-square-foot retreat consists of a group of small buildings clad in black-stained pine weatherboards and fiber-cement sheets.

Waechter Architecture reimagined a traditional gabled home in southeast Portland without significantly altering the original building. A simple coat of red paint abstracts the century-old structure, creating a residential work of art.

The asymmetrical, angular forms of the roofs create a dramatic interior filled with light from clerestory windows and high ceilings.

A series of reclaimed-wood-clad structures make a family compound on a 24-acre island on Shoal Lake.

Bob sits in the entry courtyard with his dog, Goya.

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.

In the outdoor dining room, wire chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll surround a mango wood table made by a local carpenter, Diego Madrazo.

Architecture by Jim Olson

The outdoor shower situated off of the master bedroom is enclosed to offer privacy and features a courtyard garden. Michael Arp of Lanoha Nurseries designed the house's landscaping.

A view of the central court with brick, marble, and wooden pavers laid out in a grid pattern.

The south elevation of the studio. Note the variety of materials used; Ray and Charles used a mix of panels that included plaster, plywood, asbestos, glass, and fiberglass-like "pylon".

The outdoor fire pit.

On the street-facing side, the home has a privacy fence made from wood and weathered steel.

The landscape design, by Anna Boeschenstein of Grounded, followed a 2,200-square-foot extension by Formwork architects Robert and Cecilia H. Nichols. The front door is painted in Chinese Red by Sherwin-Williams.