Collection by Luke Hopping
Modern Living at the Foot of Volcanoes
Where others saw modern-day Pompeiis, these homeowners and architects saw red hot real estate. Located in the shadows of active and dormant volcanoes, these daring architectural creations risk it all for an up-close view of Mother Nature's fury.
Architect Ko Wibowo designed a house of prodigious proportions beneath the hulking rise of Mount Ranier. The windows act as portraits of a sort, framing the view outside and placed to look out onto greenery rather than a neighbor’s backyard. Photo by: John Clark
Nestled in Pucon Chile, an area well known for its outdoor allure, the hotel draws both adventure and nature-seekers. It sits above Lake Villarrica, offering panoramic views of the lake, adjacent forest, gardens, and a smoking volcano. Nearby are numerous national parks featuring waterfalls and volcanic rock pools.
Herman Pasternak, an engineer and consultant who designs water treatment systems, is a childhood friend of Pentimento’s owner, Desirée Marín, and now rents the house. He selected woven plastic chairs from Dream Works, a local company, for his reading room because they “go with the inside-outside concept of the house.”
In the suburb on the mountain’s lower slopes, Michael O’Sullivan and his sons Seamus and Finbar exchange motorcycle tips outside the compact, innovative home O’Sullivan designed.