Absolutely Prefabulous

[an error occurred while processing this directive] To many, prefabricated accommodation is synonymous with holiday camps, and about as appealing as queuing for communal showers. Hoping to fix that is TomaHouse (tomahouse.com). The German firm's new Bale Classic villa incorporates Balinese design in one of the most stylish examples of DIY accommodation around. With an aluminum skeleton as its core, the Bale Classic can comfortably expand from a 4.7-m-by-4.7-m footprint up to 200 sq m. Smart electrical and plumbing solutions are provided, including solar panels for use in remote areas, and just three tools (wrench, allen wrench and screwdriver) are needed for the idiotproof assembly. A more challenging task is choosing the interior finishes, which include teak, silk, leather and bamboo.

Your completed unit (price: from about $5,100) is reassuringly sturdy, capable of withstanding wind speeds of up to 260 km/h. Not that you need it to: if the weather turns, you simply pack up and follow the sun.