Minimalism meets reclaimed structures in a pretty Japanese harbor. Visionary architects, Yasutaka Yoshimura, have based their design for chic holiday cottages on ship’s containers. The containers are stacked on top of each other to create two floors. One end is all glass, and the walls are white to reflect light and create a surprisingly spacious interior. The sleeping area overlooks the bottom level, so high ceilings are left intact. There is also a compact bathroom.

The units were assembled in Thailand and are situated with all their windows facing out into the harbor for visual privacy. They are stacked and assembled haphazardly, but that is the point. The designers wanted to create an unusual ‘organic’ space.

You may be reminded of the classic 1960s series, ‘The Prisoner’, because of the white-washed walls and unusually shaped structures. But, unlike The Prisoner, you will be allowed to leave without huge floating spheres swallowing you up. Gardens have been planted in between the units, and there are concrete walkways between cottages to group the space into an easy-to-navigate system.