DIY Meditation Temple

ThisOldHouse.com: World's Wildest Houses

Warren, Vermont

Aaron Westgate, an instructor at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Vermont, built this DIY Meditation Temple for just $28. That money went exclusively to the purchase of fasteners, as all other building materials were salvaged. Westgate stacked chunky 2x4s to create the beautiful look of corbelled masonry. Shingles were cut from corrugated galvanized steel, then hand-flattened before being carefully secured atop the roof.

(Photo: Courtesy Aaron Westgate)

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Reflection of Mi...

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Yasuhiro Yamashita of Atelier Tekuto Designs built this home for a client in 2006. As any city-dweller knows, parking can be a pain. So, Yamashita sliced into the structure to incorporate a covered car port.

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Inside the Refle...

Much like the exterior of the home, the 480-square-foot interior features abstract corners and angles. Furniture, fixtures, and appliances (like the tub shown here) were all selected to follow the angular theme. The placement of windows and the skylight allows natural light to stream into every room of the house.

(Photo: Courtesy Jimmy Cohrssen Photography)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Mercury House On...

Chicago, Illinois

Architecture and Vision's eco-friendly, high-tech mobile lounge was created with the environment in mind: Solar power elements and rainwater harvesting were incorporated into the design. Lighting, video, and sound components inside the unit—which was displayed at the Biennale di Venezia in 2009—are powered by solar cells in the skylights.

(Photo: Courtesy Architecture and Vision Design)

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Inside Mercury H...

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(Photo: Courtesy Architecture and Vision Design)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Bouldin Castle

Austin, Texas

It's true: This castle is in Texas—not some town in southern Europe. The building has served as a Franciscan missionary church in the 1920s, then operated as the San Jose Church until the 1970s. Most recently, the place was an Eastern Orthodox church until the current owners purchased it in 2007.

(Photo: Courtesy homeaway.com)

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Inside Bouldin C...

The current owners spent 1.5 years renovating the castle, based on copious notes and many photos taken during their travels through Europe. They added a lap pool "moat", finished the basement, and of course, put in a few turrets.

Want to see the place for yourself? You can overnight at the castle for about $350 a night. For more information, visit homeaway.com.

(Photo: Courtesy homeaway.com)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Casa Neverlandia

Austin, Texas

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(Photo: Courtesy talbotworld.com)

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Inside Casa Neve...

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(Photo: Courtesy talbotworld.com)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Cosmic Muffin

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Originally a 1939 plane that belonged to aviation innovator Howard Hughes, this Boeing 307 Stratoliner was one of only ten built before production was halted at the start of World War II. In the 1970s, realtor Kenneth W. London saved the flyer from the scrap heap, made it into a boat, and toured the Florida coast with it. It was during this tour that the current owner, David Drimmer, made an offer on the thing.

(Photo: Courtesy planeboats.com)

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Inside the Cosmi...

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(Photo: Courtesy planeboats.com)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Boulder House

Joshua Tree, California

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(Photo: Courtesy joshuatreeboulderhouse.com)

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Inside the Bould...

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If you're in the market for a wild house—and have about $1.3 million in the bank—this one's for sale. Call 310-858-7355, or visit joshuatreeboulderhouse.com for more information.

(Photo: Courtesy joshuatreeboulderhouse.com)

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DIY Meditation T...

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Inside the DIY M... The beauty of the stacked wood echoes inside, but there's not much else to it. And, that's kind of the point. The micro-construction is only meant to offer an isolated, dedicated space for meditation; there's room for you, a seating cushion, and your thoughts. (Photo: Courtesy Aaron Westgate)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Banyon Drive Tre...

Los Angeles, California

This grown-up tree house was created by Rockefeller Partners Architects in 2009, and is now home to an art studio. The modern structure, which is stands twelve feet above the ground, is made of steel and features a cedar-paneled exterior.

(Photo: Courtesy Eric Staudenmaier)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Inside the Banyo...

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(Photo: Courtesy Eric Staudenmaier)