Heliodome

Living in the French countryside conjures idyllic images of a small cottage, good wines and a relaxing schedule.

Eric Wasser kept the last two options open when he built his new home, the Heliodome, but traded in the wooden cottage for a futuristic sundial-shaped home that harnesses the power of the sun for environmentally-conscious living.

By day, Wasser is a well-known cabinet maker, but took a brief departure from his work to construct this eco-house. Fixing the house at a calculated angle, Wasser's tilted home provides good shade during the summer months to keep the house cool and temperate. During the winter months, as the sun is lower on the horizon, the house receives enough sunlight to warm the interior to a cozy temperature as well.

While the focus of the house is on absorbing the sun's rays, the interior features much of the flair Wasser was known for in his furniture. Despite the benefits of the Heliodome, many have complained about its appearance, hoping that the eco-home of the future looks a little less like a French cottage and more like a spacecraft.