When Pablo Pérez Palacios’ Mexico City–based architecture firm PPAA was tasked with building an apartment tower to meet La Colonia Roma's need for additional housing, he faced a problem familiar to developers in historic neighborhoods everywhere. The site was occupied by a dilapidated home that dates to 1925, and local laws required that the facade and part of the structure be maintained. PPAA’s innovative approach was to cut the original three-story home in half, preserving enough of the building to front the street and hold two apartments replete with classic Victorian details like high ceilings and restored millwork. In the back of the lot, they designed a sleek eight-story apartment tower that would hold an additional nine apartments, for a total of 11 units. Not bad for a site that was previously an uninhabited single-family house.

A vibrant yellow pocket door adds a playful splash of color in the bathroom/laundry area on the lower level.

A small terrace outfitted with an H55 easy chair by Björn Hultén offers a view of the San Francisco Bay.

At over 500 square feet, the house’s green roof may be its most powerful—and most expensive—environmental statement. It cost $8,000 to waterproof, and $7,000 to landscape. Water from the roof feeds the toilet and the garden’s watering system, and the garden itself insulates the house and keeps gas bills low in winter. Photo by Nic Granleese.

Crystal Prime 7000 Box of 10

The cabin’s concept was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-square-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.

The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.

The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.

A 55-inch Samsung Smart TV, a gift, is one of few indulgences.

The apartment in the heart of São Paulo, Brazil, that FJ55 Arquitetos renovated for Carolina Quevedo and Marcus Watari was once a podcast studio. The space's wide open living area, kitchen, and dining space are outfitted with Tauari wood floors and feature raw concrete ceilings, beams, and pillars.

A 55-foot nautical-themed sofa runs along one side of the pool deck.

Available for as low as $55,000, the Artist Bothy is a multipurpose, prefab hut designed to promote a creative spark in residents.

At 55 Monterrey, historic details like the bay window seen here are rolled into a space that feels very modern.

The “Sassi” of the Southern Italian UNESCO World Heritage City of Matera are ancient cave dwellings dug out of the region’s limestone rock, which have been used by humans from as far back as 7000 BC.

A contemporary apartment tower rises behind the restored townhouse at 55 Monterrey Avenue in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood.

On the exterior of the office, a mural called “Awakened Flow” by Seb Humphreys (AKA Order 55) echoes the tranquil energy of the home.

Before: The original house, purchased for $7,000, was a “termite-infested nightmare made of diesel-soaked palettes” say Mike and Lauren. The couple were drawn to the home's renovation potential, its proximity to San Jose and Pacific Coast beaches, and its elevation (over 3,000 feet) that affords stunning views.

When chilled to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, Wisner said, the taste of Newton Vineyard’s Chardonnay “explodes in your mouth.”

It’s hard to believe, but this trendy stay was purchased by Kathrin and Brian Smirke at a tax auction for $7,000. While it sounds like a great deal, the 1957 property was abandoned—and it needed to be stripped to the studs and completely rebuilt. The DIY interiors now are teeming with photo opps—from stylish vignettes to an outdoor tub constructed from a water trough.

This modern A-frame is in a beautiful remote location in the Sierra National Forest, California at an elevation of 7000 feet. Fourteen miles above Bass Lake on the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, this property is surrounded by amazing meadows, secret swimming holes, and miles and miles of undiscovered hiking trails. Your own private Yosemite without the crowds.

Floor Plan of WT Apartment by FJ55 Arquitetos

For the living room of their house in Genk, Belgium, Michaël Verheyden and Saartje Vereecke mixed furnishings of their own design with classic pieces. Their G55 sling chair and Michel Ducaroy’s Togo sofa for Ligne Roset are both clad in black leather.

Floor plan of WT Apartment by FJ55 Arquitetos

Law Estates Wines spans 55 acres with full panoramic views of the Paso Robles countryside. The building reflects that of their varietals—showcasing natural characteristics in minimalist style. The design is a direct response to the natural materials of the site, its hillside topography, and climatic influences of the sun and wind.

5.5 x 5.5 m. house in Hokkaido

Sanctuary Tiny Homes builds customizable, eco-friendly compact dwellings. They offer two main models—Tiny Marta and Tiny Lucy—with a base price of $55,000. The company also offers tiny home shells starting at $17,000. One-on-one design and construction consultations are also available.

Looking down from above you can see the hovering grace of the awning. It reminds me of some Calder mobile frozen as it spins. The budget for the project was $7,000.

The pair painted the upstairs master bedroom white, and added a G55 sling chair and leather baskets from their recent design collections. The carpet is from a souk in Casablanca, and the bedcover is from Zara Home. Atop the vintage cup-board is an artwork by Vereecke’s father. Verheyden incorporated all-new woodwork of his design into the room.

"As a brief reality check, 800,000 people were killed in the 100 days of genocide in Rwanda. That's 5.5 a minute.." --Ebbe Strathairn, designer

Stephen Kenn Inheritance Expandable Dining Set ($7000)

The Research Tower's windows are comprised of 7,000 Pyrex tubes, and at certain times of the day, you can see the silhouette of the floor plan.

Desert Boot by Clarks $70.00 The simple and classic Desert Boot is stylish and wearable for every season.

Measuring nearly 7,000 square feet, the converted home presents various living areas to gather, all of which blend original detail with modern finishes.

The Salengers say they were able to add the two bedroom pods for about $7,000 each, significantly less than the $20,000 to $30,000 a typical bedroom addition costs.