“Try to group uses and find solutions that solve multiple problems,” Borowski counsels. As an example, Pozner cites the idea of having the loft stairs double as clothing drawers. Though he eschewed a handrail, preferring a cleaner look, Pozner says that the slipperiness of the stairs “remains a work in progress. We had grooves, but they hurt my feet.” The pair are now looking into heavy-duty felt treads.

The stepping stone, like the skylight, was inspired by zen architecture. “In most traditional wooden houses and temples in Japan, the house is lifted above the garden, and the transition is always marked by a sculptural stepping stone,” says Bjerre-Poulsen. “We used the same principle between the old house and the addition.”

MODERN TAKE ON A TRADITIONAL FARMHOUSE IN MISSOURI Thanks to Matthew Hufft, their envelope-pushing architect and longtime friend, Hannah and Paul Catlett have a new home in southwestern Missouri that’s a fresh, unconventional take on the traditional farmhouse. The homeowners call the house Porch House after it's majestic wraparound porch. photos by: Joe Pugliese

Sistemalux’s integrated LED Step lighting adds a dynamic touch to a passageway.

A corridor-like entrance invites residents into the home. The architects chose to use goose-step stairs because of their safety and efficiency in compact spaces. “This staircase is also the easiest in terms of construction,” Kolchin says. “It is nearly impossible to make any mistake while building it.”

Step by Karl Malmvall for Design House Stockholm No home is complete without a stepladder, and this looker folds flat to take up a scant sliver of storage area. Sold with a hook for hanging.

What everyday item would you like to see made domestically? We’d be really excited to see utilitarian objects that are often overlooked by the design community: soap dispensers, brooms, pens, and even the humble trash can. Muji does this well, and we’d like to see the American approach. Blackline Step Stool by Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co., $350.

The Silent Defenders Steel Step trash can by Rubbermaid Commercial, from $120 Look no further for the Holy Grail of waste receptacles: These boxy commercial-grade cans, available in 7-, 12-, or 24-gallon sizes, feature a soft close, satisfying pedal movement, and keep even the most potent aromas contained. amazon.com

The footings start to cure. Next step is preparation for the slab pour.

These stairs mimic the magic of "the ship"—a floating living room in the home— by appearing to float without support. "I drew the stairs like this, but I had no idea how to construct them," says architect and homeowner Pieter Weijnen, laughing. Project builder Jasper Kerkhofs came to the rescue, using two iron rods to fix each stair to the wall. Steel cables were added to guard the sides of the staircase.

Almost there! Thread the needle through the slack you left in the previous step.

Lurie's Step/Stool is available in ash, cherry, white oak, or walnut wood.

In the bathroom, the twins take advantage of a custom-built Corian sink and wooden base with integrated step when it’s time to wash up.

"We imagined how six people would use the space and developed the shape accordingly," says Hello Wood cofounder Dávid Ráday. "We took inspiration from the design of space capsules, and the cabin was refined step by step before reaching its final form."

Witzling and Underwood stepping out of the truck cabin.

Poured concrete stairs step down alongside built-in storage.

Lutsko Associates chose to integrate stepped terraces into the landscape design of this Ketchum, Idaho home.

The stepped wooden platforms provide built-in seats for the library. Down the stairs to the left is a guest room.

The Orcas Island house, whose steel exterior has patinaed to a rusty hue has a wide doorway with a pivoting door and a zero-step threshold.

The building is kept low to the ground, so you can step directly from the house into the garden.

The sinuous interior is lined with CNC-cut wooden panels that define stepped sauna seating and porthole windows.

On the ground level, the kitchen is reached by stepping down toward the back of the home, ultimately leading out to a rear yard.

Behind the house is a large lawn, providing plenty of room for the couple’s dogs to play.

The doorway on the left accesses an entry porch, which can be closed with the sliding door. The screened porch is the stepped-down volume on the right.

Don't worry if you aren't quite sure where to start. With this eight-step guide, your space will be sparkling in no time.

Stepped outdoor terraces, with landscaping by Colin Okashimo Associates, wrap the house’s curves, and also act as a buffer for floodwaters.

FSC-certified exposed framing and plywood was a resource-efficient step which helped to create modern ceilings.

A series of stepping stones leads from the private garden room behind the master bedroom into the open yard.

Indoor/outdoor living is sweet at Casa A by REM'A Arquitectos: residents can easily step from the sleek concrete interiors to enjoy the pool and backyard area, which are framed by hillside views.

Occupants step down into the kitchen from the dining room. A run of cabinets with an integrated sink directly abuts the threshold between the rooms, where an original plaster archway also meets new ceiling joists.

Behind the house is additional space for entertaining.

If tidiness is paramount for the family, a place for the kids to play outdoors is equally important. The climbing wall at the back of the garden is entirely the work of Mark Tiarks, who built the Composite House and who relished a chance to step out from beneath Tozer’s plans and design an aspect of the house himself.

A stepped library and lounge area.

When taking a vacation is as simple as stepping outside.

With library's Cor-Ten shield open, the home’s facade is seen at night. The L shaped pedestrian pathway forces visitors to travel around the perimeter before entry, gradually experiencing the architectural composition step by step.