To access a secret play area in the 2 Bar House by Feldman Architecture, children clamber up climbing holds purchased from a local sporting goods store.

The couple asked for a “no maintenance, not low maintenance” backyard. However, Shino tends to “Carlsbad's largest public bathroom for cats” (otherwise known as their Japanese-style rock garden) about once a month. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!

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.

Across the path is the resident's favorite spot from which to take in the aquatic tableau: a rock garden and sitting area created by landscape designer Tory Polone. Chairs rest near the a hidden grade-level gas fire pit—an on-demand campfire.

The bathroom features white and black tile and a small rock bed.

When JAC Interiors was commissioned to revive an old 1,200-square-foot Hollywood home, the clients—a young couple who the designers call "fun and quirky"—requested the firm find a way to transform the space with as little construction as possible. The fireplace is a custom-made, three-dimensional feature that stands in stark contrast to the soft woods and white walls that make up the rest of the room.

Another water-saving project in Menlo Park includes a rock bed with succulents.

In the master bedroom, the rocking chair is by Thonet and the bespoke rug is by Armadillo & Co.

A pair of deck chairs from the Conran Shop brighten up a deck designed and built by Mark Congdon Landscape. Visible through the window are a Praying Mantis floor lamp from White Furniture and a fiberglass rocking chair from Modernica.

Dotted with colorful footholds, a climbing wall covers one side of the home, allowing roof access.

A vintage Eames rocking chair occupies a corner of the living room.

Updating the A-frame of yore, this home’s liberal use of windows makes the most of panoramic views spanning two valleys. Catalonia, Spain. Cadaval & Sola-Morales from the book Rock the Shack, Copyright Gestalten 2013.

A wooden home nestled amongst a cluster of Japanese larch trees offers a perfect sanctuary from nearby Tokyo. Chubu, Japan. By Koji Tsutsui & Associates from the book Rock the Shack, Copyright Gestalten 2013.

Those seeking isolation and inspiration to tackle their work need look no further. A minimalist cube set against a picturesque background form a studio free of distraction, except maybe that view! Newfoundland, Canada. By Saunders Architecture from the book Rock the Shack, Copyright Gestalten 2013.

Livable sculpture at its finest. Created for the Zermatt Festival, an annual festival of chamber music, this structure (designed by a team of second-year architecture students!) maximizes the beauty of its surroundings with its 720-degree spiral composition. Valais, Switzerland. By Alice Studio/Atelier de la Conception de l’ Espace from the book Rock the Shack, Copyright Gestalten 2013.

With its easy access, the flat roof is never hard to maintain.

Swirl vase by Susanne Harder, $234. Susanne Harder is a Danish ceramicist whose delicate work is exclusively sold at Totokaelo.

Blade Runner by LaCie, $299 Philippe Starck took a break from designing motorcycles and furniture to create this four-terabyte hard drive. Besides the cool geometry, the blades dissipate the heat built up by the spinning disks.

Pork Chop, the dog, has plenty of comfortable places to nap between meals.

In the kitchen, Dedo stools by Simone Simonelli for Miniforms pull underneath a poured-in-place concrete countertop.

Linen Place Mat From festive gatherings to everyday breakfasts, the Linen Placemat adds warmth and style to any meal. Made from durable and machine washable 100% linen, the Linen Placemat from Fog Linen Work will become softer with each use making it ideally suited for everyday dining rituals and special occasions.

The original leather sofa introduces an additional texture to the living room, and loud wallpaper brings a splash of visual interest. JAC also incorporated a new loft railing and ladder to climb to the next level.

The Monolith features many angles and a tiered garden.

Detail shot of the Inkstone wash-basins in Black Rock stone.

@bromco: These pillows flipping rock!! Literally! @rockpillows. #DODLA

Made from plastic milk jugs, the Racer collection is meant to burn off energy by allowing for multiple sitting positions and the maximum amount of "bodily comfort and mental relaxation".

"In Rock Chair by Fredrik Färg, four pieces are together to become a low-level rocking chair that is really comfortable. Fredrik become the designer of the year in Sweden last year," says Färdig.

The punnily titled On The Rock collection of glassware further exemplifies Lee Broom’s seamless merging of mixed materials.

House on the Rock by Drew Tyndell, $1,700. Based in Nashville, Tyndell creates one-off wooden collages that blend puzzle-like blocks with strong colors.

The hand carved walnut "rocks" that form the base of this Rock Pile lamp are stacked and spin independently of one another, allowing the pile to change shape. “In contrast to the pixel style of design I often incorporate into pieces, these rocks are my way of being more freeform and not so meticulous,” says Michael Rupich.

The crew hard at work, in the shadow of a sculpture.

Harder, who photographed this story from Dwell's September issue on a 440-square-foot guesthouse, took this photo in Hong Kong. Follow Grant Harder on Instagram at @grantharder.

Photographer Grant Harder snapped this shot from the Blackcomb ski resort at Whistler.

The table’s base, which itself is an additional storage container, rolls easily into place to support the surface.