Nestled into a slope in the middle of a forest, this elegant home, clad in blackened cedar planks, is at one with its woodland surroundings. Named the TreeHaus, the eco-friendly project was designed and built by architect Chris Price, who oversees architecture and construction practice Park City Design+Build.

Located at an elevation of 7,000 feet near the Utah ski resort of Park City, the unique woodland home was designed to meet strict passive house standards. The property's staggered storeys cascade down the hillside, with each level orientated at a slightly different angle, creating a sheltered terrace to the side of the home.

Designed by Polystudio, the contemporary home was also created to stand the test of time – the architects wanted the property to meet the changing needs of a young family, with an array of multipurpose rooms. In the open-plan living space, a partition curtain offers a flexible way of dividing the dining area from the lounge, while still allowing light to filter through.

Evoking the lines of classic Brutalist architecture, this angular concrete home excels in both form and function. Shortlisted for RIBA's House of the Year in 2016, the airtight home is found in the village of Brockweir in Gloucestershire and comes with an impressive array of eco-credentials.

Fitted with underfloor heating and a ground source heat pump that regulates the home's temperature, the cutting-edge concrete property is as comfortable as it is stylish. Currently on the market with The Modern House, this airtight escape can be yours for £2.9 million ($3.6m).

Inspired by the historic farm buildings found throughout New York's Hudson Valley, this modern barn-style home has no energy or maintenance costs. The innovative home was designed by North River Architecture and uses an array of insulating materials to keep the structure airtight.

To ensure construction costs were kept relatively low, contractors with no previous experience in passive design were trained on-site, while surplus materials were used to reduce waste. Powered by a 9kW solar PV set-up, the impressive home also has a metering agreement with the local utility company, meaning the homeowner's energy bills are cancelled out by the energy they return to the grid each year. Not a bad deal!

Crossway House, designed by architect Richard Hawke, was the first certified passive house in England, receiving an A+ rating on its Energy Performance Certificate. It was featured on the homebuilding TV show Grand Designs, wowing presenter Kevin McCloud with its self-supporting brick archway. 

Situated in the heart of New York City's Columbia Waterfront District, this sleek modernist townhouse was constructed to meet meticulous passive house standards. Recently on the market for £3 million ($3.8m), the sustainable city pad certainly isn't short on style either.

Fitted out with state-of-the-art technology, including radiant underfloor heating and Miele appliances, the home's airtight design helps to keep energy costs low. In the kitchen, light wood and marble create a bright and airy scheme, while glass doors, stretching the width of the room, lead out to a garden – perfect for alfresco dining.

Nestled in the rural idylls of Tasmania, Kettering House is an off-grid oasis with a long list of eco-friendly features. Built by Skookom, the remarkable home was around six years in the planning.

The innovative home features a 4kW solar arrangement that produces electricity to run the property, in conjunction with a hydro-generator. The house creates so much excess energy that the homeowners have even bought an electric car to make use of the surplus.

Available to rent, the innovative property also includes a peaceful outdoor dining terrace and firepit, perfect for whiling away an evening under the stars. If we feel like laying low and escaping the rat race for a while, we know where we'll be heading!

The first certified passive house in France's populous Île-de-France region, this remarkable feat of architecture was created by Parisian architecture firm Karawitz. Clad in unusual bamboo panels, the groundbreaking property was built on a surprisingly modest budget of £267,000 ($330k) back in 2009. 

A series of folding bamboo screens adorn the façade, allowing light to filter through the slats. In the warmer months, the panels can be opened up to integrate the interior with the large garden outside.

South-facing triple-glazed windows ensure the interior is airtight and insulated, while a heat recovery ventilation system allows fresh air to circulate. Inspired by rural barns in the local area, this unusual dwelling pairs the best of traditional architecture with modern, innovative materials. A stylish living space with minimal bills sounds like a win to us!