"Nano House: Innovations for Small Dwellings," to be published Oct. 17 by Thames & Hudson, is author Phyllis Richardson's compilation of more than 40 spaces, each less than 800 square feet, from around the world.

The book covers more traditional houses, mobile spaces, small vacation spots, concepts built for replication and low-energy houses, including Solar Decathlon entries from 2009 and 2010, with styles ranging from eccentric to downright elegant — all built with function in mind.