A Simple Plan A Marmol Radziner–designed prefab house, trucked onto a remote Northern California site, takes the pain out of the construction process.

Beneath the postcard-like backdrop of La Concha mountain, a previously abandoned Spanish villa received a modernist revamp for a couple and their young child. Natural, earthy interiors connect the living spaces to the lush surroundings, with the light-filled kitchen opening directly onto an outdoor pergola and pool.

Two linked 1,000-square-foot pavilions are greater than a sum of their parts. The simply detailed, taut, flat-roofed home’s two wings form a T-shape. One wing runs north to south, parallel to a pool, and contains the open-plan living spaces. Photo by Matthew Millman.

The home’s metal cladding is Pac-Clad, a material typically used for roofs.

The architect covered the exterior in Pac-Clad, a metal roofing material, because it's "cost-effective, durable, maintenance-free, and comes in various colors," says Church.

Beach days, park picnics, and backyard barbecues—wherever your Fourth of July weekend takes you, these products will elevate your event with ease.

Two Black Sheds incorporates all the conventional aspects of a weekend retreat in a rather unconventional way.

The project title “Casa 4.1.4” refers to the four main volumes, one central plaza and four patios. This simple configuration creates distinct, private spaces tied together with open-air common areas.

Loredana Dall’ Amico reads in the living room, where all the seating was designed by her husband. The floating stainless steel unit behind her is also his design and contains a state-of-the-art stereo system.

The main level features a bold blue kitchen illuminated by skylights.

Though the Burtons are landscape architects, they took an intentionally hands-off approach to their own land, which is part of the 1,800-acre Long Valley Ranch, a former cattle ranch. “We made very few moves, beyond planting fifty olive trees and some native shrubs and grasses,” says Bill. “We wanted nothing in the landscape to be edible or pretty, nothing to attract animals to the house.” Nevertheless, they’ve spotted plenty of fauna thanks to motion-activated “trail cams” they use to spy on local wildlife. To date they’ve snapped photos of mountain lions, bobcats, wild pigs, and a bear.

Naturally rusted steel sheathes the cabins that Malek Alqadi built on a 1954 homestead outside Joshua Tree National Park. "I loved the idea of stitching the existing structure back together, reinforcing it, and giving it life again without compromising the beautiful setting it’s in," he says.

Guests mingled around the pool. Hello Again welcomed partygoers to rethink the typical dinner party.

Peter Guthrie, DDG; Jes Paone, DDG; Alex Polier; and Ghislaine Viñas make for a festive group.

Party-goers gathered in one of the two condos presented at the event.

Theo Richardson and Alexander Williams of Rich, Brilliant, Willing enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather on the 2nd floor terrace.

Braun KF 21 Aromaster designed by Florian Seiffert and Hartwig Hahlcke (1976), in white or orange.

Most of the fixed carpentry for this project was designed by AS/D and built by a contracted carpenter. Tzalam, the wood of choice, resists humidity and heat.

A fireplace in the living room features glazed clay bricks from Swedish manufacturer Tegelbolaget. The dining table and chairs are by Kristensen & Kristensen.

Nine slender, 100 x 100 millimeter square steel columns that are held in place by crossed braces on all four sides hold the small weekend house 6.5 meters in midair.

Trees create beautiful shadows on the slatted courtyard fence.

“As far as minimal impact is concerned, the lightweight foundation system is part of it, and we also advocate that our customers do minimal clearing to engage their cabins in the landscape as naturally as possible,” Romanowicz says. “If your build site feels too open because you just cleared one too many trees, stop, and take a break—and maybe plant a bush to make up for it.”

Concrete pillars are key in the event of a tidal wave.

A Viewrail floating stairway with glass railing.

A BDDW furnished bedroom with custom Lindsey Adelman lighting.

A behind the scenes moment: Last minute party preparations with Dwellers Nuala Berrells and Sara Ost (center); team members from Sett Studio, GoodLife Team, and WakaNINE make last minute adjustments as the line outside grew around the block.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: (L-R) Alexandra Lange, Galia Solomonoff, Marion Weiss, and Claire Weisz speak at the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: (L-R) Alexandra Lange, Galia Solomonoff, Marion Weiss, and Claire Weisz pose at the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)

The GoodLife Team crew.

A group of party guests.

As seen from the entrance, the venue grounds glowed thanks to a custom, multicolored installation from David Trubridge and WakaNINE.

The view from near the DJ booth.

At night's end, guests kicked up their heels and danced.

DJ Spooky laying the beats.