Great escapes: The world’s most beautiful contemporary cottages

Kate Springer, CNN
Updated 2:45 PM EST, Thu December 21, 2017
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MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects / photographer Greg Richardson

Story highlights

Cottages are getting a modern makeover as more urban dwellers seek respite from the city

The designs are often ecologically friendly and emphasize a connection with nature

CNN  — 

Award-winning architecture probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the word “cottage.” More likely, it conjures images of quaint countryside dwellings – rustic abodes in Cape Cod, thatched roofs in England, and modest oceanside retreats in Sweden.

This retreat in South Korea, designed by IROJE Architects & Planners, has an all-glass contemplation room that offers unobstructed views of the mountains, as well as an open-air meditation pavilion on the roof.
Hyunam (A Black Cottage), South Korea —
This retreat in South Korea, designed by IROJE Architects & Planners, has an all-glass contemplation room that offers unobstructed views of the mountains, as well as an open-air meditation pavilion on the roof.
IROJE Architects & Planners
When planning the design of this upscale cottage, IROJE Architects & Planners wanted to emphasize the harmony between the home and the surrounding landscape.
Hyunam (A Black Cottage), South Korea —
When planning the design of this upscale cottage, IROJE Architects & Planners wanted to emphasize the harmony between the home and the surrounding landscape.
IROJE Architects & Planners
Uhlik Architekti designed this hideaway in the forests of Central Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. The client requested a place to escape a demanding job in Prague that would have a limited impact on the environment.
Forest Retreat, Czech Republic —
Uhlik Architekti designed this hideaway in the forests of Central Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. The client requested a place to escape a demanding job in Prague that would have a limited impact on the environment.
Uhlik Architekti / photographer Jan Kudej
Uhlik Architekti used wood from a fallen tree to build the base of the Forest Retreat, which rests atop a nearby boulder in Central Bohemia, in Czech Republic. The 172-square-foot cottage features an entire wall of windows to make it feel as close to nature as possible.
Forest Retreat, Czech Republic —
Uhlik Architekti used wood from a fallen tree to build the base of the Forest Retreat, which rests atop a nearby boulder in Central Bohemia, in Czech Republic. The 172-square-foot cottage features an entire wall of windows to make it feel as close to nature as possible.
Uhlik Architekti / photographer Jan Kudej
Gray Organschi Architecture remodeled a dilapidated guesthouse cottage in New Haven, Connecticut, transforming it into a contemporary beauty. The home is surrounded by oak trees, with a view of Long Island Sound.
Cottage, Connecticut —
Gray Organschi Architecture remodeled a dilapidated guesthouse cottage in New Haven, Connecticut, transforming it into a contemporary beauty. The home is surrounded by oak trees, with a view of Long Island Sound.
Gray Organschi Architecture / photographer Mark Mahaney
A project by Arkibullan Architects, these cottages were designed for year-round use, featuring timber verandas, an outdoor hot tub and uninterrupted views.
Brekkuskógur Cottages, Iceland —
A project by Arkibullan Architects, these cottages were designed for year-round use, featuring timber verandas, an outdoor hot tub and uninterrupted views.
Arkibullan Architects
Located roughly 90 minutes from Reykjavik in Iceland, the cottages showcase incredible views of the Southern Highlands.
Brekkuskógur Cottages, Iceland —
Located roughly 90 minutes from Reykjavik in Iceland, the cottages showcase incredible views of the Southern Highlands.
Arkibullan Architects
Built using locally sourced materials, the Brekkuskógur Cottages were constructed using birch plywood, larch cladding, concrete and stone.
Brekkuskógur Cottages, Iceland —
Built using locally sourced materials, the Brekkuskógur Cottages were constructed using birch plywood, larch cladding, concrete and stone.
Arkibullan Architects
Designed by Garrison Architects as a boarding school guesthouse, Koby Cottage is a modular residence that takes the shape of an "X," with two modules connected by a glass crossing.
Koby Cottage, Michigan —
Designed by Garrison Architects as a boarding school guesthouse, Koby Cottage is a modular residence that takes the shape of an "X," with two modules connected by a glass crossing.
Garrison Architects
Tucked away in a lush hillside of Brekkuskógur, Iceland, BHM Vacation Rental Cottages by PK Arkitektar blend into the surrounds, thanks to burnt hardwood paneling and green rooftops that seem to fuse with the landscape.
BHM Vacation Rental Cottages, Iceland —
Tucked away in a lush hillside of Brekkuskógur, Iceland, BHM Vacation Rental Cottages by PK Arkitektar blend into the surrounds, thanks to burnt hardwood paneling and green rooftops that seem to fuse with the landscape.
PK Arkitektar / photographer Rafael Pinho
A group of 20 cabins near Laugarvatn lake, these award-winning cottages frame photogenic surrounds with floor-to-ceiling windows.
BHM Vacation Rental Cottages, Iceland —
A group of 20 cabins near Laugarvatn lake, these award-winning cottages frame photogenic surrounds with floor-to-ceiling windows.
PK Arkitektar / photographer Rafael Pinho
When building Boulder Retreat, Carney Logan Burke Architects decided to embrace an enormous boulder that sits in the middle of the buildable land. Built around the rock, the private residence features interconnected pods across various levels.
Boulder Retreat, Wyoming —
When building Boulder Retreat, Carney Logan Burke Architects decided to embrace an enormous boulder that sits in the middle of the buildable land. Built around the rock, the private residence features interconnected pods across various levels.
Carney Logan Burke Architects / photographer Matthew Millman
To highlight the surrounding landscape, Carney Logan Burke Architects designed a sloping garden outside the home and incorporated several outdoor walkways.
Boulder Retreat, Wyoming —
To highlight the surrounding landscape, Carney Logan Burke Architects designed a sloping garden outside the home and incorporated several outdoor walkways.
Carney Logan Burke Architects / photographer Matthew Millman
Hidden away in a 455-acre site in the raw terrain of Nova Scotia, Cliff House by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects looks precarious at first glance. The box-like home perches on a cliff to create the illusion that the home is floating over the sea.
Cliff House, Canada —
Hidden away in a 455-acre site in the raw terrain of Nova Scotia, Cliff House by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects looks precarious at first glance. The box-like home perches on a cliff to create the illusion that the home is floating over the sea.
MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects / photographer Greg Richardson
MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects' graceful design includes a south-facing deck, wood and metal interiors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the sea.
Cliff House, Canada —
MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects' graceful design includes a south-facing deck, wood and metal interiors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the sea.
MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects / photographer James Brittain
Tucked away in Ontario, Canada, Clear Lake Cottage was built by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects for a family of five. The year-round getaway captures the warmth of a cozy cottage yet features contemporary design, with clean lines and a sloped roof that was inspired by a circus tent.
Clear Lake Cottage, Canada —
Tucked away in Ontario, Canada, Clear Lake Cottage was built by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects for a family of five. The year-round getaway captures the warmth of a cozy cottage yet features contemporary design, with clean lines and a sloped roof that was inspired by a circus tent.
MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects / photographer Ben Rahn
The architects used creative textures and materials, incorporating Douglas Fir, stained oak, concrete floors, black corrugated metal, and pine tar-painted cedar.
Clear Lake Cottage, Canada —
The architects used creative textures and materials, incorporating Douglas Fir, stained oak, concrete floors, black corrugated metal, and pine tar-painted cedar.
MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects / photographer Ben Rahn
City Cottage by Verstas Architects might look like it's in the middle of nowhere, but it's just outside Helsinki on Lauttasaari Island. The 150-square-foot cottage is an eco-friendly getaway for a family of four, using solar energy and with easy access to the sea.
City Cottage, Finland —
City Cottage by Verstas Architects might look like it's in the middle of nowhere, but it's just outside Helsinki on Lauttasaari Island. The 150-square-foot cottage is an eco-friendly getaway for a family of four, using solar energy and with easy access to the sea.
Verstas Architects / photographer Andreas Meichsner
Superkül architects' Shift Cottage sits on the shore of Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada. The cottage's windows overlook a row of conifer trees, and a cedar deck offers ample outdoor living space.
Shift Cottage, Canada —
Superkül architects' Shift Cottage sits on the shore of Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada. The cottage's windows overlook a row of conifer trees, and a cedar deck offers ample outdoor living space.
Superkül / Tom Arban Photography
Shift Cottage was designed to have minimal impact on the land. The team at Superkül sourced local wood, installed multiple windows for natural ventilation, and protected the natural vegetation during construction.
Shift Cottage, Canada —
Shift Cottage was designed to have minimal impact on the land. The team at Superkül sourced local wood, installed multiple windows for natural ventilation, and protected the natural vegetation during construction.
Superkül / Tom Arban Photography