What distinguishes a good architect from a great one, is the latter works with the environment, as opposed to against or in spite of it. They use the surrounding landscape as the guiding principle which allows for a house with a deeper sense of place. Whether it’s Kendrick Bangs Kellogg’s futuristic glass-and-concrete structure that looks like it just made a lunar landing on the rocks of California’s Joshua Tree National Park or Jack Hall’s modest mid century cabin nestled in the eastern shores of Cape Cod, these modern masterpieces seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor, offering ideal mix of the sublime and the intimate. The best part? These six architectural marvels below are now available to rent, so you can check into your dream house on your next vacation.

Kellogg Doolittle House

Joshua Tree, United States

The American architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg was deeply influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright when he designed the Kellogg Doolittle House for the original homeowners, Bev and Jay Doolittle. Set against the sprawling backdrop of Joshua Tree National Park, this hulking residence spans 5,000 square feet and was built using only natural materials in curvilinear forms. Each piece of furniture in the home – from the art-deco dining chairs to the dresser and cabinetry – was handmade by master craftsman John Vugrin and specifically designed for the space. Now that it’s available to rent, the new owners have recommissioned Vugrin to continue the preservation of the house. Just outside the door there’s a private path which leads to a less-traveled section of the park. After a long day of hiking, relax in the master bedroom (floating in the clerestory) and take in the starry night sky.

Villa Santanyi

Mallorca, Spain

British designer John Pawson, who is known for his minimalist work for the Calvin Klein flagship store in New York and the Jaffa Hotel in Israel, built Villa Santanyi (with his former partner Claudio Silvestrin) for a German art dealer in 1987. The home, set between the island’s almond groves and the sea, is a slight departure from the more monastic spaces that have come to define Pawson’s aesthetic. Inspired by his love for Japanese architecture, there is his typical melding of indoor and outdoor spaces as well as an abundance of earthy, natural materials used throughout the five bedroom property. But tweaks his usual minimalist look by washing the property’s walls inside and out with pink lime.

The Hatch House

Cape Cod, United States

The Hatch House was designed by the late modernist architect Jack Hall in 1960 for his friend, theater and art critic Robert Hatch and his wife Ruth. It remained the family’s home until 2008 when it was acquired by the National Park Service. In 2013 the Cape Cod Modern House Trust took it over and renovated the property. The layout is emblematic of midcentury machine-like living, with common design elements like a galley kitchen with exposed shelves and a built-in banquette in the living room. Every corner in the house is optimally designed to remind you that you’re on holiday: a wood stove sits in a bed of beach stones while the open-air layout connects the three bedrooms and the living spaces, all offering panoramic views of the bay.

Casa Tiny

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Casa Tiny, a small concrete home located just a short walk from the sea near the town of Puerto Escondido is the creation of up-and-coming architect Aranza de Ariño, who was inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. The concrete and wood house is suitable for two people with a simple open plan featuring a kitchen, bathroom and mezzanine bedroom. The kitchen extends outside with wood louvered doors opening to a patio with a concrete dining table and hammock— optimal for entertaining or just lounging. There’s also a swimming pool and access to a private beach nearby.

The Seidler House

Southern Highlands, Australia

Located in the heart of the Southern Highlands, the Seidler House was one of architect Harry Seidler’s final projects– and arguably his most famous. Just a two-hour drive from Sydney, the curvy structure is perched on a sandstone cliff that offers epic views from the two expansive outdoor decks. The structure’s floor-to-ceiling windows also offer plenty of opportunity for gawking at the surroundings. The home features two living areas, four bedrooms and a swimming pool carved into the rock.

Casa Morelli

Chianti, Italy

This 15th century Tuscan farmhouse was renovated by German architect Walter Petri and interiors studio Holzrausch into a modernist retreat. The expansive living room features sliding doors that open to the terrace overlooking vineyards and olive groves. The entire house, including the three bedrooms, is lined with travertine walls and cotto stone floors, with chestnut beamed ceilings adding a rustic touch. The property is filled with custom furnishings and lighting.