Whether it's a baking desert plain or a bitter arctic snowfield, constructing a home that can withstand an extreme environment is far from straightforward – only the most robust of properties can hold their own in such challenging climates. From buildings designed to fight bushfires to tough flat-pack tiny homes that can be built just about anywhere, let's take a tour of the world's most resilient residences. Click or scroll through for more..

Known as The Arctic Hideaway, or Fordypningsrommet Fleinvaer to the locals, these tiny cabin retreats can be found on the wild island of Fleinvær, in the northern-most region of Norway. Positioned in the heart of the Arctic Circle, building here presented numerous challenges for the project's designers, TYIN Tegnestue Architects.

Surrounded by the Lofoten mountain range, the hideaway sits on the very edge of the sea and is exposed to extreme weather all year round. Such a harsh environment led the architects to design raised huts that could withstand the brutality of the wild and windswept island.

The hideaway was designed for a jazz musician, who wanted to create a beautiful workspace where artists could meet, escape and be inspired by the landscape. The cluster of cabins offers pared-back design with Scandinavian touches and plenty of exposed natural materials, including timber and cork. Extensive picture windows frame incredible views across Fleinvær that are sure to inspire residents.

The ultimate wilderness retreat, the Arctic Hideaway offers four private sleeping cabins and five social spaces, including a canteen and a community sauna to fend off the biting cold. If we find ourselves in the Arctic, we know where we'll be heading...

Positioned in one of Europe's most severe and ruthless environments, the Glass Pavilion finds itself in the midst of the Gorafe Desert, in the enchanting Spanish region of Andalusia.

The impressive glass structure was designed by Slovenian studio OFIS Arhitekti to withstand extreme heat and solar glare, with the temperature in this part of the world peaking at over 104°F. With no means of protection or shade, the building uses insulated Guardian SunGuard glass, which cleverly filters solar radiation to protect the pavilion's residents.

The desert house boasts 360-degree floor-to-ceiling windows instead of walls, offering incredible views across the barren landscape beyond. The glass walls are also extremely tough, meaning the building can easily withstand the area's ferocious winds.

The property's roof is made from timber and clad in mirrored panels to reflect the sunlight. Comprising three internal spaces, the glass retreat offers separate rooms for sleeping, eating and bathing and also boasts a sunken hot tub – the perfect spot for stargazing!

Designed to be erected in a similar way to IKEA furniture, this sleek flat-pack home lies in the rugged wilderness of Vancouver, Canada. With a distinctive black façade, the structure blends into the surrounding rocks and woodlands.

Designed by The Backcountry Hut Company, the petite property is both affordable and sustainable, so it won't take a toll on the environment. It was specifically created to offer an efficient housing solution for locations that are wild or difficult to reach.

Pre-made in a factory and assembled on site in less than 24 hours, the forest hut benefits from a modular, prefabricated shell that's highly energy-efficient and airtight – meaning the intense Canadian winds are kept firmly outside!

The exterior of the hut is clad in metal, making it extremely durable no matter the weather. The cabin's elegant timber shell is crafted from FSC-certified lumber, while the interior features 100% recyclable materials for a zero-waste finish.

Designed by architects Ian Weir and Kylie Feher, this modernist masterpiece was carefully curated to survive the extreme bushfires that regularly sweep across Western Australia.

Located inside a eucalyptus forest, the aptly named Karri Fire House was created for a professional firefighter – someone who knows all too well the devastating effects that fire can have on a home.

Industrial-grade materials were carefully used to withstand a Bushfire Attack Level of BAL-40, one of the highest measures possible. The house also has extra-robust shutters, which can be used throughout the year to manage the levels of sunlight and glare that enter through the windows.

The property is also highly energy-efficient and features fireproof masonry walls, a suspended concrete floor and fire-retardant insulation. As well as being extremely safe, the home has an attractive contemporary aesthetic, offering the perfect balance between practicality and curb appeal.

The design for this incredible wilderness cabin by Utopia Arkitekter was inspired by the beautiful, rugged landscape of Iceland. It can accommodate up to 15 hikers at a time as they traverse the challenging trekking trails through this notoriously difficult terrain. 

The vibrant trekking cabin, known as Skýli, was created to aid mountaineers who found themselves battling the changeable weather. Completed in 2016, the building was designed to withstand even the harshest of conditions, including biting winds and torrential snow. Thanks to the cabin's bright blue exterior, it can be spotted from afar, even in poor visibility.

Based on the shape of a traditional Icelandic cabin, Skýli has an outer shell constructed from steel for maximum durability. Its inner structure is made from cross-laminated timber, an insulating material that's both cost-effective and extremely sustainable. Mounted on plinths, the design can be constructed almost anywhere.

The building is equipped for all eventualities with emergency food supplies, first aid kits and medical equipment. It's powered by solar panels and even boasts a battery for energy storage, making it self-sustainable and entirely eco-friendly.

Known as Beehive homes because of their conical structure, these clever mud huts are located in the Syrian village of Sarouj, however, similar constructions can also be found dotted around desert landscapes across the Middle East.

Syria is known for its intense weather, with scorching sunshine and torrential rain regularly battering the country. Beehive homes have been around for hundreds of years, creating safe structures to retreat to when nature does its worst.

The cleverly designed domed roof pushes hot air upwards, keeping the heat away from anyone residing below. The roof's slopes can also withstand heavy storms, with rain simply sliding down the home's structure and draining away.

Built from adobe mud bricks, straw and stones, the interior of each hut maintains a cool 73°F temperature, even when the sun is at its most powerful.

Known as Ébène, this contemporary mobile tiny house was designed by Minimaliste and features an exterior clad in dark timber and light cedar for an attractive two-tone effect. Conveniently, the property sits on wheels, allowing it to be moved around and relocated in harsh conditions.

Covering just 485 square feet, the snug yet stylish home offers a warm retreat from the snow outside. Thanks to its clever passive design and use of hardy materials, the tiny house is able to fend off Canada's biting winters.

The interior walls and ceiling boast high thermal insulation for maximum heat retainment, while the cabin comes fully equipped with a 50-amp electrical unit, offering stable and reliable heating and hot water, no matter the outside temperature.

Durable, sustainable and self-sufficient, the home also has hydronic heated floors for maximum comfort and warmth. Custom built, a turn-key tiny house like this could be yours for as little as $96,000.

These unique weather-proof cabins lie on the picture-perfect Rogaland hiking trail in Soddatjørn, Norway. This wild environment welcomes thousands of visitors each year, with its breathtaking scenery and versatile mountaineering routes. Offering the perfect respite for hikers, these lodges sit alongside the idyllic waters of Lysefjord and the Soddatjørn Mountain Lake.

Designed by KOKO Architects, the weather-proof lodges were commissioned by the Stavanger Trekking Association as self-catering accommodation for walkers embarking on this gorgeous mountain pass.

The contemporary cabins needed to be easy to maintain and quick to erect in an unpredictable environment. Each hut is built from rolled zinc, which helps the homes to resist both wind and snow, requiring very little upkeep.

Inside, the wooden cabins incorporate plenty of natural materials for a warm and cozy vibe. Scandinavian furnishings offer a pared-back, contemporary finish, while extensive glass allows for incredible panoramic vistas. Water is supplied from the lake and solar-powered lighting allows hikers to find their way back in the dark.

This majestic house lies in the extreme desert climate of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Described by its architects as a modernist pavilion, the spectacular home was designed to withstand a truly intense climate.

Covering 2,400 square feet, the property was designed by Leckie Studio Architecture and sits in a rocky alcove, with a volcanic mountain ridge to the west and the Sea of Cortez lying to the south.

The home boasts a unique façade, with a rectangular design and white walls that reflect the powerful sun. A cleverly designed southwest-facing wall was erected in order to absorb intense solar glare, preventing heat from entering the property’s bedrooms and acting as an effective ventilation system to keep the home cool.

The elegant property sits on a sloping plot and was constructed from reinforced concrete insulation panels. The building was sited in the perfect position to avoid the peak glare of the sun, whilst also drawing in the prevailing sea breeze.

During the spring, Colorado suffers from intense winds and extreme, changeable weather. From blizzards to dramatic temperature fluctuations, the landscape of this rugged state is as unpredictable as it is attractive.

Built in a stark rural landscape overlooking the Rocky Mountains, this prefabricated home proves that style needn't take a backseat when you're designing a tough and durable building.

This sustainable home offers insulated timber walls, with overlapping eaves to protect the property from extreme weather. Ultra-thick windows and doors plus a heat-insulated basement mean that the home can withstand virtually anything Mother Nature throws its way.

Custom built by WeberHaus, the eco home has a rainwater harvesting system, which recycles rain for domestic use and uses solar power to produce hot water. Best of all, the home is topped by an enchanting roof terrace, framing uninterrupted views across the mountains.

Perched on Storfjellet mountain in the wilds of southwestern Norway, this breathtaking hiking cabin was designed by SPINN Arkitekter for The Norwegian Trekking Association. Featuring a faceted wooden façade, the domed structure reflects the surrounding Arctic landscape, camouflaging it within the rocky terrain. 

Incredibly, the structure contains 77 unique timber panels that slot together like a 3D puzzle to form the exterior shell. Inside, the snug cabin offers 161 square feet of space framed by warm wood. At the center of the room sits a vast angular window that frames the spectacular rugged vistas below.

A refuge for weary hikers, wooden benches have been built into the walls of the structure, while tables and stools provide the perfect place to eat and recharge. With no artificial light, climbers have to rely on the wood-fired stove and lanterns for illumination.

To protect the snug mountain cabin from snow, the front door is recessed, accessed via a small deck tucked beneath the roof. The distinctive design was tested against a wind simulator to ensure it could withstand the weather conditions on the mountain before being transported to the site. These extreme homes take wilderness living to a whole new level!

This gorgeous wooden cabin in the idyllic landscape of Kanji Dol, Slovenia, is the perfect woodland retreat to escape the rat race. Designed by Studio PIKAPLUS architects, the property was created as a shelter to withstand the region's harsh weather conditions.

Sitting entirely exposed in a beautiful clearing at the heart of rich woodlands, the cabin covers just 82 square feet and has won numerous awards for its stylish, sustainable design.

The cabin features a highly durable outer shell formed from prefabricated larch wood, which blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. A sheet of metal across the roof helps to further stabilize the structure, while a biomass boiler and electric panels power the home.

Inside, the cabin is effortlessly modern with bare timber walls, parquet flooring and elegant finishes. Every inch of the home's interior is utilized, including compact corners and angular roof voids, where a small bedroom can be found. Sleeping up to four people, the idyllic woodland cabin proves that an all-weather home can be pretty stylish too.