clifftop house maui
several houses under a common roof
video by cristobal palma on vimeo
Perched high atop a grassy plateau overlooking the dramatic cliffs that plunge into the Hawaiian sea, the Clifftop house on Maui is both a family home and a social venue. The stunning surroundings mean that the house is quite isolated, and must cater to a wide range of needs for its inhabitants. The concept defines several “houses” under a common roof, and each one of these separate entities is a U-shaped volume, opening up the frame to take in as much of the ocean view as possible.
The “houses” are self-contained private units, functioning as en-suite double rooms. A fluid public space between them is where the cooking, eating, lounging and socialising take place. The entirety of the volumes is covered by an oversized roof, spanning twice the surface area of the volumes, providing much needed shade and protection from the strong winds. It needs no air-conditioning, since it is cross ventilated throughout. The folded roof is carefully attached to the walls of the U-shaped volumes and defines specific spaces. It also serves as a folded wooden sky deck and integrates the house into the landscape, by both its shape and choice of locally sourced materials.
ocation: Maui, Hawaii, USA
project date: 2004 – 2011
completion date: 2011
area: 250 m2 + 250 m2
type: residential
client: private
source: commission
photos and video: Cristobal Palma
project team: Aljoša Dekleva, Tina Gregorič, Flavio Coddou, Lea Kovič
awards:
American Architecture Prize 2016, honourable mention in Residential Architecture category
Architizer A+Award 2013, special mention in Single Family Home category
International Architecture Awards 2012, The Chicago Athenaeum
Golden Pencil 2013
AIT award 2012, 2nd prize in luxury living category
WAN House of the Year Award 2012, shortlisted