Location: 53590 Jeffery Pine Road, Idyllwild, California

Price: $995,000

Year Built: 1980

Architect: Dennis McGuire

Footprint: 1,429 square feet (3 bedrooms, 2 baths)

Lot Size: 0.57 Acres

From the Agent: “Walk up a winding path of rock steps to experience this architectural gem, designed by Dennis McGuire. It organically rises out of the hillside in company with massive granite boulders, tall pines, cedars, colorful oaks, and Japanese maples. Many decks throughout the property offer sitting places to enjoy morning coffee with the birds, a good book, a conversation with a friend, or time alone breathing in the mountain air. The interior is an airy two-bedroom, one-bath  floor plan, with towering ceilings and wood beams throughout. An art studio and a workshop offer space for creative projects of all sorts. Outside, meandering trails and bridges lead to a guest suite designed by the owner with an architectural nod to Corbusier, Eames—and, of course, Thoreau too in its elegant simplicity. The home is nestled in the beautiful Cedar Glen neighborhood, and just outside the door are many forest hikes and the popular Deer Springs Trailhead where adventure awaits.”

Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!

Founded in 2015 by CEO Duy Huynh, office furniture company Autonomous took its first foray into smart, tech-enabled designs with the launch of a standing desk on Kickstarter. From there, the company’s offerings expanded to include everything a remote or hybrid worker needs to run a well-equipped work-from-home operation, from ergonomic chairs, to 3D-printed slides, to AI supercomputers. More recently, Autonomous introduced an entire workspace, a plug-and-play backyard office called the WorkPod.

Here, company product manager Brody Slade explains more about the new prefab office and what sets it apart from other workspaces you could put in your backyard.

What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?

The base model WorkPod is priced at $18,900, offering a gross floor area of 102 square feet. This includes a modular, eco-conscious design, delivered in three large crates with all components and tools for self-installation. We prioritize sustainable materials and efficient design to minimize environmental impact. The price covers the product itself, while shipping, tax, and professional installation are separate due to varying customer locations. We also offer smart-design options like integrated solar panel readiness and energy-efficient lighting.

What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?

• Rapid, Eco-Friendly Installation: Modular design with adjustable foundations allows quick setup on various terrain, minimizing site disruption and using sustainable foundation solutions.
• Smart, Ready-to-Use Functionality: Built-in, energy-efficient electrical systems, optional smart ergonomic furniture, and advanced climate control ensure a plug-and-play workspace.
• Sustainable Durability: Seven-layer walls provide superior soundproofing and climate control, utilizing recycled and renewable materials for enhanced longevity and reduced environmental footprint.

Location: Rungestraße 610179 Berlin, Germany

Price: €2,363,000 (approximately $2,550,404 USD)

Year Built: 1933

Renovation Year: 2016

Footprint: 2,045 square feet (3 bedrooms, 3 baths)

From the Agent: “Originally built between 1930 and 1933 by architect Albert Gottheimer, this building embodies expressionist architecture, known for its sculptural forms. Rich with historical detail, the building’s facade is accented by intricate ornamentation and decorative clay figures that flank the entrance. Pilasters nod to the building’s history, while the varying heights, staircase, and entrance portal further emphasize its grand presence.

“Renovated in 2016, this fourth-floor apartment features a cohesive color palette and high-quality materials create a surreal aesthetic. Seamless light gray microcement flooring throughout the apartment is accented by vibrant plastered walls and custom furniture. The entrance features an anthracite wardrobe with a coral seating niche. The heart of the home is the L-shaped living area, awash with sunlight from floor-to-ceiling balcony doors facing south and a window to the west. Terra-cotta and pistachio-green walls bring warmth and a natural vibe, paired with an open Bulthaup kitchen in pale pink.

“An anthracite-colored dressing area leads to the bedroom with a freestanding bathtub and a view over Köllnischer Park. The en-suite bathroom is a mix of blue-green and gold, equipped with Villeroy & Boch ceramics and fittings. A pastel pink children’s room, also overlooking the park, can be divided into two separate bedrooms or studies with a separate shower room located nearby. The sunny balcony off the living room overlooks a quiet courtyard.”

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Veddinge, Denmark

Architect: Förstberg Ling / @forstberg_ling

Footprint: 915 square feet

Structural Engineer: Ronny Malm

Cabinetry Design: Ali Atié

Photographer: Markus Linderoth / @markuslinderoth

From the Architect: “Arriving at Veddinge, at the northern tip of Zeeland near Copenhagen, the landscape undergoes a change from lowlands to grassy hills. A cabin from the 1950s sits on a slope overlooking the sea, offering extensive views along the coastline. Förstberg Ling designed a new, detached extension that provides additional bedrooms and a living room to accompany the kitchen and living spaces of the old cabin.

“The house consists of four volumes of different height, arranged to create a hidden enclosed space at their center. While moving around the house, you encircle the hidden space, connecting the rooms which range from narrow and taller, to wider and lower. The different levels at the front and back of the house contribute to the shifting scale throughout the volumes.

“The exterior is clad in blackened pine, while the interior features walls clad in plywood made from different veneers. Strategically placed windows highlight the verticality of the house and frame the surrounding tree tops, providing a different experience compared to the existing buildings’ horizontal panoramic views of the sea.”

After dreaming of having a home in the Hamptons for years, one woman finally decided to make it a reality. “I have a couple of close friends who have places out east, and I’ve always enjoyed visiting them there,” says the homeowner, who spent three decades living in Japan before returning to New York during the early years of the pandemic. After an extensive search, she finally found the perfect spot in Amagansett. “I wanted to be close to my friends, and also be in a place where I could avoid having to be in my car all the time,” she says.

Recently divorced, she wanted to create a place that expressed her personality. “I found myself living by myself for the first time in my life,” she explains. “I wanted to build a house that would be an escape from city life, as well as a place I could share with my friends and children.”

After reaching out to architect Robert Schultz, an old friend from college who now leads New York firm Khanna Schultz with Vrinda Khanna, the homeowner set out to design her ideal weekend home. “From the beginning, she had the desire to make the house as energy-efficient and sustainable as possible,” says Schultz. 

Welcome to How They Pulled It Off, where we take a close look at one particularly challenging aspect of a home design and get the nitty-gritty details about how it became a reality.

When tasked with a way to conjoin two neighboring properties, homeowners Tom Perrault and Sal Giambanco’s vision started as a hyphen—not an em dash or an en dash—and ultimately landed on something grander than the former alley that once stood there. Thanks to some creative thinking from design firm Mason Ros, a glass-lined hallway spans the distance between the two structures and is now the centerpiece of their home.

6529 E Camino De Los Ranchos Street in Scottsdale, Arizona, is currently listed at $3,495,000 by Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

Nestled in a neighborhood near Scottsdale Quarter, Kierland Commons, and Old Town Scottsdale, this home was designed as a quiet sanctuary that brings the outdoors in. Renovated in 2017, the home boasts distinctive features and an unparalleled charm that sets it apart from the rest, including a custom entry made of glass, steel, and wood. 

The home is currently thriving as a successful vacation rental, and it should come as no surprise: With an organic palette and natural materials, plus amenities like a lush, lagoon-style pool with concrete gas fire pit and circular seating.

Listing Details 

Bedrooms: 5 

Baths: 3 full 

Year Built: 1973 

Square Feet: 2,898

Plot Size: 0.24 acres

116 16th Avenue in Kirkland, Washington, is currently listed at $3,149,998 by Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty.

The home in Kirkland’s coveted East of Market neighborhood boasts an expansive floor plan with rich hardwoods, custom iron and glass accents, and sweeping views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. 

The gourmet kitchen features top-tier appliances, double dishwashers, three ovens, a built-in espresso machine, granite counters, and a custom pantry.

Upstairs, three generously sized bedrooms with lake views await, including a primary suite with a custom walk-in closet, private view deck, vanity lounge, and a spa-like bath with heated floors, a jetted tub, and dual-head shower. 

Four individual decks provide stunning vistas, while the lower level offers a spacious recreation room, a fourth bedroom, a full bath, and a three-car garage with an integrated gym and heated driveway. 

Listing Details 

Bedrooms: 5 

Baths: 4 full 

Year Built: 2008 

Square Feet: 4,310

Plot Size: 0.14 acres

593 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is currently listed at $3,925,000 by Gabby Hanna at Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty.

This three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom compound blends casual beach charm with modern amenities, offering a serene escape amid views of Provincetown Harbor. Nestled amid lush gardens, this nearly double-wide waterfront lot with a cottage and separate studio is a rare gem.

The two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom cottage feels like a step back in time, with wide pine floors, exposed wood beams, and a wood-burning fireplace. The kitchen and bathroom boast modern living yet maintain an authentic quality of the historic home, first of Eugene O’Neill in 1916 and later of the photographer Joel Meyerowitz.

The inviting living room features large sliders that open onto the waterfront deck, allowing you to enjoy stunning bay and lighthouse views. The well-appointed kitchen features butcher block countertops and ample cabinetry, perfect for preparing meals while taking in the sunset. A stylishly renovated full bath with contemporary tilework blends modern comfort with functionality. Situated alongside is the laundry area, complete with a folding station.

The second-floor staircase, framed with boat oar bannisters, leads to a landing with the guest bedroom to the left, the primary bedroom to the right, and a half-bath in the middle. The primary bedroom offers panoramic water views, creating a peaceful sanctuary. Ample storage exists with built-in cabinetry, including under the platform bed, and a wardrobe on the landing provides additional hanging space. 

The guest bedroom overlooks the front of the home and includes abundant closets and built-ins for storage. The charming half-bath completes the comfort of the bedroom level.

Across the lush lawn, the stand-alone studio suite with its own full bath and kitchen offers flexible living arrangements, ideal for guests, extended family, or potential rental income with its own private entry and direct beach access. Offering privacy, the space could make for a stunning waterfront at-home office.

The highlight of the property is the spacious waterfront deck with outdoor shower. Unparalleled views of Provincetown Harbor is paired with landscaping that provides a privacy rarely available with waterfront properties. Surrounding the property, lush gardens add color and tranquility to the outdoor experience, while a shed offers additional storage space for bikes or gardening tools.

Listing Details 

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 2 full, 1 partial

Year Built: 1900

Square Feet: 1,098

Plot Size: 0.2 acres

1855 Sefton Place in San Diego, California, is currently listed at $3,875,000 by Megan Luce at Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty.

This home is all about making a statement—starting with a 30-foot hand-carved ironwood front door from Costa Rica that’s flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows. The open floor plan is designed for modern living with a gourmet kitchen as its centerpiece. Equipped with top-of-the-line GE Monogram appliances and a Viking wine fridge, the kitchen is set up for both everyday cooking and entertaining. The layout includes a spacious walk-in pantry and ample closet space, ensuring functionality without sacrificing style. 

The elegant formal living room invites relaxation, while the primary retreat offers sanctuary to unwind. Step outside to discover the beautifully paved backyard, offering ample space for entertaining. With a designated barbecue area, it’s perfect for hosting gatherings or enjoying casual meals under the sun. 

Listing Details 

Bedrooms: 4 

Baths: 4 full

Year Built: 1975

Square Feet: 4,219 

Plot Size: 0.22 acres