Hale Mau’u House

Needless to say, Hawaii is one of the world’s most picturesque islands and it is increasingly home to some truly mesmerising modern architecture. A lot of said architecture can be attributed to the talented team at Walker Warner and the same is true of the breathtaking Hale Mau’u House.

Understated from the outside, Hale Mau’u, which means “House in the Grass,” was designed to fully embrace the quiet beauty of this unique landscape in Hawaii. On the gentle slope from the nearby volcano to the coastline, the crumbled bed of black lava rock has been rejuvenated with vast verdant tufts of golden-green grasses and lacy Kiawe trees scattered throughout to make this one of the most incredible pieces of architecture we’ve encountered here at Coolector HQ.

Heavenly Hawaii

The buildings of Hale Mau’u are arranged to form a courtyard where circulation between spaces takes place outside alongside a raised boardwalk that forms a linear axis from the mountains right through to the ocean beyond. The striking roof composition guides the eyes toward spectacular views with long extended eaves conceived to be narrow at one end of the building, but wide at the other to ensure additional shade where it required most.

At Hale Mau’u House from Walker Warner Architects all of the primary rooms are fitted out with large barn doors, so that when fully opened there is little difference between being inside and out. These doors were crafted from gapped boards, so that when they are closed for privacy or shade, fresh air and light can still filter through.

When lit from inside at night, the open gaps give the buildings of Hale Mau’u a resemblance to warm glowing lanterns and this delivers quite the impactful visual statement so far as the architecture is concerned. The plot is unique in its capacity to capture the ocean view and mountain view at the same time. The arrangement of the buildings had three main objectives: namely, to catch the mountain view, catch the ocean view, and then block the view of the neighbouring houses. Mission accomplished.