This volume investigates the design principles and structural requirements necessary for creating functional, aesthetic, and sustainable vacation residences. Arthur Hawkins, drawing upon the extensive archives of Architectural Record, compiles a series of case studies that examine how architects balance site-specific environmental constraints with the unique leisure-oriented needs of seasonal inhabitants. The text argues that successful vacation architecture must prioritize integration with the natural landscape while maintaining structural integrity in diverse climates.

Architectural historians and design professionals frequently cite this work as a valuable repository of mid-century residential planning concepts. Experts highlight the clarity of the technical drawings as a primary asset for students and practitioners interested in the evolution of leisure architecture.