Located near the rural town of Waimea, this shape-shifting structure looks out over a wild stream and the rugged landscape of Hawaii Island, also known as the 'Big Island.' The owners, a multi-generational family of artists and professional chefs, built a home where they could live comfortably with the outdoors while using only the rawest form of materials and minimal construction methods.

One half of the home serves as the public area and was designed as a row of identical pavilion-like living and entertaining spaces underneath a steel roof. Grounding this open space both visually and structurally is the second half: a series of heavy concrete bunkers offering more private and secure living spaces. Between the two is a central corridor running the entire length of the two sections, separating the bunkers and concrete interior walls.

As an integral part of the open living area, barn doors both wrap around the exterior walls and between each pavilion area, thus providing the option to section off public and private spaces—or alternatively, create expansive spaces between the pavilions and the outdoors. The flexible function of using the doors as walls creates a highly livable environment and a deep connection with the surrounding nature.

vast lava escarpments. This entire section of the home retains an indoor-outdoor ambiance created by the large glass doors that open up the front wall." layout="wide" credit="Photo courtesy of Mauna Kea Realty" photoUserId=""/>

The home is also entirely self-contained, with all power provided by a rooftop solar array. The highly energy efficient home is naturally cooled and uses all LED power, creating a low-key, off-the-grid lifestyle. Scroll ahead for more images of this unique Hawaiian home.

glass and translucent polycarbonate to create the frame and roof structure. " layout="wide" credit="Photo courtesy of Mauna Kea Realty" photoUserId=""/>

Anekona is being offered off market as an exclusive in-house listing with Mauna Kea Realty/Hawaii Life. For more information, please contact Jake Chancer of Mauna Kea Realty.

Related Reading: These 7 Hawaiian Modernist Escapes Will Have You Dreaming of the Islands

Project Credits:

Architects: Anderson Anderson Architecture / @andersonandersonarchitecture

Know of a home for sale or rent that should be featured on Dwell.com? Find out how to submit to Dwell.