The Balancing Barn in Suffolk: On the edge of a nature reserve a few miles from the Suffolk coast, the MVRDV-designed Balancing Barn cantilevers over the surrounding meadow.

The EcoQue Portable Grill not only collapses down to a thickness of one inch, but it uses 75 percent less fuel than a conventional grill; let the barbecuing begin. $125

A perfect complement to a study session, the portable Sound 1 Bluetooth Speakers are designed to bookend a laptop. Although petite, the speakers produce high-quality stereo sound.

New interior finishes, furniture, and a guesthouse were part of the restoration/renovation of John Lautner's Chemosphere, a 1960s house that makes frequent cameos in film and television.

Choosing not to make a big to-do of itself, this cottage blends in with its surroundings. A wall of glass on one end allows a merger of the outdoors with the interiors, while white trim leaves the appearance of a snow-kissed façade year-round. Berlin, Germany. By Atelier st Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH from the book Rock the Shack, Copyright Gestalten 2013.

Transformer or beach hut? Positioned in a coastal erosion zone, this holiday retreat for a family of five is completely capable of being relocated. An oversized shutter allows for protection from the elements when not in use and opens to allow sun in during the winter or provide shade on hot summer days. Waikato, New Zealand. By Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects, from the book Rock the Shack, Copyright Gestalten 2013.

The ever-changing, lush wooded surroundings of Minnesota, such as those experienced at this 8,000-square-foot Type Variant House outside of Minneapolis designed by Coen and Partners, are right near the small town of New Richland.

Portable barbecue suitcase, $85.00, by Kikkerland. It looks like a sleek metal suitcase at first glance, but opens to become a portable charcoal grill with enough space to cook food for two people.

The OGK Safari Daybed is a versatile furnishing that is both minimalist and statement making. The furnishing was originally designed in 1962 by Ole Gjerløv-Khudsen for his son, who was embarking on a camping trip. Comprised of a sustainably harvested soaped beech framed and a natural jute bed, the Safari Daybed is easily transported and can be used in indoor and outdoor spaces.

Boom Boom by Matthieu Lehanneur for Binauric, $249 Taking an angular tack to audio electronics, Boom Boom is more akin to an objet d’art than to its brick-like brethren. It’s chargable via USB port or outlet, Bluetooth-enabled, compatible with Apple and Android systems, and works as a speakerphone.

The Mezzo Radio is inspired by vintage styles, featuring a retro speaker grille and knobs instead of buttons. The device features modern upgrades like a durable silicone rubber case and an output for MP3 players. At only five inches long, the battery-powered radio is extremely portable.

The Sound1 Speakers are a small audio solution that Dad can take on the go. Created by Korean design house cloudandco for 11+, the speakers combine minimalist styling with the freedom of wireless listening. The speakers deliver clear, crisp stereo sound throughout the room and pair with Bluetooth-enabled portable devices and computers.

Sound1 Bluetooth Speakers, $85 at the Dwell Store The Sound1 Speakers deliver clear, crisp stereo sound and pair with Bluetooth-enabled portable devices and computers. Embedded magnets allow speakers to be conjoined into a single piece, which can be neatly stowed away in the included pouch. When not in use, cables can be discreetly stowed at the bottom of each speaker.

Metropole Aluminum House (1949) The winner of a 1949 contest to create a portable classroom for French students, the gleaming metal structure might have resembled a sci-fi spacechip to '50s schoolchildren. Prouvé's meticulous metalsmithing is on display in this highly regarded example of portable prefab housing, crafted in his Nancy workshop and easily assembled with a few tools. He included a glassed-in garden and wooden accents to the interior walls to make the structure less imposing.

A Chilean home’s dramatic stained-pine exterior references local vernacular architecture.

The Museum for Architectural Drawing in Berlin, designed by Russian firm SPEECH Tchoban & Kuznetsov, has a wooden door that mimics the structure's textured concrete exterior.

With days getting shorter, the M Lamp from Juniper and designer David Irwin offers a bright, portable light source. Its design is inspired by original miners’ lamps, but has an undeniably modern feel.

The Ball Portable Outdoor LED Lamp ($119-$299) is another study in simplicity: waterproof and shockproof, these rechargeable LED lamps come in either 10, 14, or 20-inch diameters. Its elementary, spherical form translates to endless applications: arranged in patterns on a lawn, deployed within a pool, mounted atop a table (as seen here) and more. One charge means 8 to 10 hours of use.

Greer's own creation, 'Civilettes'.

The innovative Wireless M Lamp was inspired by miners’ lamps of the 19th century. Designed by British designer David Irwin for Juniper, the M Lamp is a portable task lamp that is designed with portability in mind.

Shulman's shot of Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House No. 22 in 1960 became one of the most iconic photographs of modern U.S. architecture and many felt like it encapsulated Los Angeles during at that time. Shulman ultimately photographed 18 of the 26 Case Study Houses commissioned by Arts & Architecture magazine. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive, Research Library at the Getty Research Institute

Women in Architecture Survey: According to the results of the Architect’s Journal Women in Architecture survey, the pay in the architecture field is still unequal and discrimination is common.

Move L portable speaker in Mint by NudeAudio, $99 A Bluetooth speaker is a must for impromptu alfresco gatherings. This one boasts a passive subwoofer and an eight-hour battery.

The WOW Bluetooth Speaker by Antonio Arévalo for Kakkoii is USB chargeable and requires no batteries. The speaker connects wirelessly to any compatible Bluetooth device within a 33-foot radius, and its auto-play feature pauses the music when there is an incoming call, seamlessly integrating work and play.

Designed to accommodate modern, mobile working environments, the Buoy Stool is designed to with function in mind. Weighing only 20 pounds and with a built-in handle, Buoy can travel anywhere in the office environment or around a home.

The OGK Lounge Chair was designed in 1962 by Danish architect Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen. The chair is comprised of sustainably harvested beech, which is met with natural jute slip that makes up the seat and chair back. Originally designed for Gjerløv-Knudsen’s son’s camping trip, the chair is designed with portability and easy assembly in mind.

Wireless M Lamp, $220 at the Dwell Store The innovative Wireless M Lamp was inspired by miners’ lamps of the 19th century. Designed by British designer David Irwin for Juniper, the M Lamp is a portable task lamp that can be used in a variety of spaces, including bedrooms and offices.

The Philips Hue Go hits the market at the end of May at Apple stores, Best Buy, and Amazon for about $100.

From Bang & Olufsen, the Beolit 15 Bluetooth Speaker is a sophisticated portable speaker that blends exquisite technology and thoughtful design details. Featuring True360 sound, tactile buttons, and a streamlined design, the Beolit 15 can be used in small and large rooms alike, and the full-grain leather strap makes transportation easy. The champagne color of the Beolit 15 gives the speaker a subtle shine that elevates the overall look and feel of the device.

The Packable Wireless System (PWS) from Grain Audio is a wireless speaker that is portable and Bluetooth-enabled, making it perfect for backyard parties. Made with solid walnut and featuring neutral graphite speaker grills and buttons, the PWS has a modern, mature look that will guests will love.