This Off-the-Grid Maui Escape Melds Striking Design With Self-Sufficiency
Hawai‘i Off Grid’s recent project in northeast Maui takes climate-forward design to new heights.
Sleek, sexy builds aren’t what usually come to mind when we think of off-grid living in Hawai‘i. But assumptions of a backcountry, granola experience went out the window when we laid eyes on local architecture and engineering firm Hawai‘i Off Grid’s recent project in northeast Maui. Nestled among a sea of rolling hills in lush Ha‘ikū, the 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath sanctuary seamlessly marries modern aesthetics with climate-forward design.
Intentional in its clean-lined simplicity, the home’s dramatically angled roof slopes to the east and west for optimal solar energy and rainwater capture—a catchment system on property collects and stores 15,000 gallons of water utilized by a solar hot water system. Architect David Sellers strategically aligned the build for optimal airflow, installing large openings and clerestory windows to reduce the need for air conditioning. Inside, a honed concrete floor offers an industrial vibe while regulating indoor temperatures.
Even the abode’s striking façade is rooted in sustainability. Made from charred cypress, the Japanese shou sugi ban siding is both beautiful and resistant to pests and rot, eliminating the need for chemical treatments, painting and staining.
hawaiioffgrid.com, @hawaiioffgrid
SEE ALSO: Architect Aaron Ackerman Builds a World-Class Sustainable House
Brie Thalmann is the home and style editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
