Salt Spring is one of the Gulf Islands nestled between mainland British Columbia, Canada and Vancouver Island. after seeing these pictures, I feel this is one of the most beautiful places to live in. Designed by architect Todd Saunders, this project consists of a 120 sq. meter house and a studio. The small buildings sit on a huge plot of land in Salt Spring Island’s Mount Thom. Continue reading →

Tucked along the base of the Tucson Mountains, this small desert home consists of 3 separate rusted-steel boxes (less than 1,500 sq. ft. altogether). Outdoor paths connect all three units, based on the concept of a residential village or micro urbanism. Each small building is oriented to a unique view of the surrounding desert landscape and wildlife. Continue reading →

Surrounded by several huge oaks, this courtyard design, at the back of a small lot, provides a quiet outdoor space to relax in. The lot is divided in a such a way that the front structure and garage serve as a buffer, preventing street noise from entering the small courtyard in the back, as well as to the main public spaces of the house. Continue reading →

This narrow building is being used by its owners as a getaway, an office outbuilding to their existing house, and a guest house to accommodate out of town guests. The house is situated on the western facing slopes of Seattle, Washington, with views to the Puget Sound. Continue reading →

This award-winning house is a small coastal home, a seasonal retreat on a small private island off the coast of Vancouver Island. This house was built with a clear compact plan, which would preserve, protect and complement the natural beauty of the site, while taking advantage of its natural aspects. Continue reading →

This beautiful structure is nestled in a forest by a pond in Champaign, Illinois. A small retreat constructed above the ground with a narrow bridge, leading its way to the entrance, and a v-shaped roof similar to the architect’s first small meditation hut no.1. I love the unique shape of this building; for me, it depicts a dragonfly hovering over the water. Continue reading →

This small house is a contemporary glass box that floats atop the surrounding wheat fields of Northeast Oregon. It’s overall design is inspired by the traditional architecture of barns and farmhouses in the Pacific Northwest – only wrapped up in glass. Continue reading →

If you ever get to Stoughton, Massachusetts you might stumble upon the Boxy Lady, the Hickshaw or the Gypsy Junker – tiny homes full of rustic charm, which are actually made out of, well, junk. Each of these small outbuildings have been constructed by Derek Diedricksen – “a mad scientist with too much lumber on his hands” – who lives there with his family in a compact 950 sq. ft. house. Continue reading →

This lovely compact home sits on a small and narrow lot in the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. The original 1908 house has been extended with a contemporary second story addition that fits perfectly within the surrounding residential neighborhood. Continue reading →

Here is another lovely building, nestled in the back corner of a residential garden in Urbana, Illinois. It’s a small hut that serves as a beautiful meditation space surrounded by a mature sprawling landscape. Continue reading →