The house looks lightweight and airy, with its layered louvers and many slotted panels, a series of jigsaw pieces that haphazardly fell together to create a complete puzzle. It's hard to tell where things connect, and which walls go where, but that's part of the beauty of the structure: It's a completely unorthodox interpretation of a home.

The steel frame and concrete composite panels would weather well in most climates, and its size is rather compact (500 square feet inside, with an additional 700 square feet of exterior deck space), measuring 65 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 23 feet tall—although the architect says it could easily be customized for different dimensions. In many cases, there's not even the need for a poured foundation on which to set it down. It's also possible to keep the structure entirely off the grid, powered by the sun, wind (and rain?), and its numerous panels act as heat deflectors and ventilation systems, as well as handy shading devices. For those who prefer, it can also be hooked up to the grid and have running water and standard electrical outlets.