On an island 20 miles off the coast of Maine, a writer, with the help of his daughter, built not only a room, but an entire green getaway of his own.

Located in Springfield, Missouri, this modern farmhouse designed by Kansas-City based firm Hufft Projects exudes the traditional vernacular of Kansas with an updated take on the conventional form. The rolling hills and expansive land resemble the tone of quaint Marquette.

The family room is situated at the apex of the house, with picturesque views that extend up the meticulously landscaped north slope. The concrete floor sits just low enough that the main elements of the scene—the succulent garden and large limestone ledges—are at eye level. A bank of NanaWall folding windows breaks up the fourth wall.

A guest room in this repurposed barn in the English countryside lets the ceiling do the talking. Photo by Christoffer Rudquist.

To reinforce a streamlined aesthetic, materials move from the inside out and from room to room. A Caesarstone countertop in the kitchen extends through a window to the backyard. The basalt path in the house continues outside and up the outdoor stairs.

A long hallway from the living room separates the public and private sections of the home and extends the distance between the living quarters and work spaces.

The Extending Table from 2131 is an innovative home furnishing that can be used as a desk or table. Crafted from rich walnut wood, the Extending Table can expand from five feet to ten feet, making it easy to adapt from a casual four-person meal to a dinner party with eight guests. While most extending dining tables require removing and storing a table leaf, this table expands simply by sliding the table, making it easy to adjust. When used as a work station, the table can be angled to create two spacious desktops.

Ipe decking extends from the actual deck to the home's interior.

An IKEA PS Vågö chair sits on a small treated-pine deck off the master bedroom.

PowerCube Extended USB by Allocacoc, $25-30 at powercube-usa.com This stylish alternative to the dowdy (and space-consuming) power strip is equipped with four outlets, two USB ports and a five- or 10-foot cord.

Bamboo shoots around the new patio makes the yard feel calm and seculded. Wienerberger bricks were installed on the exterior wall to complement the existing facade. Double-pitched zinc was used to cover the unusual shape of the roof.

The exterior view of the Douglas House stepped walkway that extends over the surrounding trees.

The Extending Desk is an innovative home furnishing that can be used as both a desk and dining table. The walnut table can expand from five feet to ten feet, making it easy to adapt from a casual four-person meal to a dinner party with eight guests. While most extending dining tables require removing and storing a table leaf, this table expands simply by sliding.

eero combines a router and range extender in a single compact package.

The backyard features a cedar deck that extends into a field of rolling wildflowers and local fauna.

“The challenge is condensing technology into a compact package. If it gives consumers pause to meditate on the form every now and then, that’s good too.”—Fred Bould, designer

The device blankets the home in wi-fi using complex proprietary software. One per 1,000 square feet is recommended ($199 each or three for $499).

A private raised patio in the small backyard further extends and expands the space into the outdoors.

Competitors, Swimming Center at the Olympic Sports Complex, Moscow. Photo by Gary Hustwit.

Wooden beams extend beyond the structure to create shading trellises for the terraces at the front and the back of architect Ray Kappe's Los Angeles home.

This Danish dining room is centered around the weathered wooden dining table where the family gathers for meals and conversation. Photo by: Jonas Bjerre-Polsen

The bathroom counter extends into the bedroom as a desk. A sliding door can fit on a track between the bathroom countertop and bedroom desk to seamlessly partition the two rooms. A blue Niche Modern pendant light adds flair to the bedroom.

After purchasing a revered archetypal lake house designed by American architect Richard Meier, a retired couple launches into the home’s second renovation in 35 years. Photo by Dean Kaufman.

Mascot Pile-up, Olympic Green Park, Beijing. This is apparently where oversized Chinese Olympic plush toys go to die. Photo by Gary Hustwit.

Laoshan Velodrome, Beijing. This imposing structure, designed by Schuermann Architects, is still being used as a velodrome and hosts other indoor sports, like fencing. Photo by Gary Hustwit.

On September 21, director Gary Hustwit (shown here on the right with designer Dieter Rams in a still from his design documentary Objectified) will be screening his new film Urbanized at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas.

Will relaxes on the sofa Gerald designed, below a painting by Gary Freemantle.

The dining area features an ash table designed by Desai Chia and created by Gary Cheadle. The chairs are by Jens Risom. - Leelanau County, Michigan Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017

D.100 Wave Hill (Tree Struck By Lightning) by Gary Carsley. 2012. Courtesy of Thatcher Projects, New York Photo: Courtesy of Thatcher Projects, New York.

Olympic Village, Moscow. Organizers constructed eighteen 16-story towers to house athletes for the Games, but due to the US-led boycott only a handful of the buildings were actually used. Afterwards the units were given to state employees, and the Olympic Village is still a vibrant part of the city. Photo by Gary Hustwit.

The ramp extends upward to reveal a full kitchen and dining area.

David Alhadeff: One of the other pieces I think has been very important that's a little different is the Matthew Hilton Light Extending Table [for De La Espada]. It's so beautiful and the physics of it are incredible. It's expensive, so it doesn't have the potential to be consumed wildly, but it's loved wildly. This could be the future Barcelona chair.

Jesse Robinson Olympic Park, Compton, LA. Jesse Robinson was president of the Southern Pacific Association of AAU, the Southern California governing body for all amateur sports and an advocate for local athletes in Compton. When he passed away in 1987 this small park off the 91 Freeway was named in his honor. Photo by Gary Hustwit.

Joanna Ferguson stands on one of the balconies extending from the guest bedrooms.

Industrial designer Fred Bould pored over every detail so the product would coalesce with modern interiors.

Gary_Snyder, at Art Miami, 2009. From the Series "Art Fares"