Inside Olson Kundig's Idyllic Lava Field Residence on Hawaii's Kona Coast

Living on a lava field offers a dramatic environment that few would call idyllic, but Olson Kundig has found a way to make it so on Hawaii’s Big Island.

The Seattle-based architecture firm recently finished a 6,500-square-foot residence on the Kona Coast that uses a series of flat-roofed pavilions to engage with its rugged surroundings, Robb Report reported.

The project focuses on balancing the extreme elements of the volcanic terrain with high-end residential comfort. By arranging the structures around gardens and courtyards, the design creates large outdoor living areas while maintaining seclusion for the homeowners and their guests.

“The biggest challenge was positioning the pavilions to balance views, privacy, and the connection between interior and exterior, while responding to the nuances of the site,” said Tom Kundig, the firm’s design principal.

Framing the volcanic horizon

The architecture relies heavily on sightlines to connect the inhabitants to the natural geography. Carefully positioned floor-to-ceiling glass walls are used to frame mountain views to the east and south, as well as a nearby volcanic hill, known locally as a pu’u, to the west.

House Floating Above a Lava Field in Hawaii — Mirageon

The layout provides a sense of discovery. A nine-foot-tall slatted wood screen hides the front door at the entrance, offering only a glimpse of a grassy courtyard garden. Once a visitor turns the corner, the view opens across the courtyard and through the home toward a cinder cone and the ocean beyond, Olson Kundig noted.

The largest structure in the compound serves as the primary gathering hub. It contains the living room, kitchen, and dining area, along with a spacious loggia featuring a bar concealed behind sliding slatted wood screens.

The Sensory Home: How Sound and Light Define This Olson Kundig Masterpiece — Oz House

The rest of the compound is distributed among guest pavilions, which provide separate bedrooms and living spaces. Dedicated buildings house a gym and a media room, while the primary suite sits in its own building, connected to the main house by a covered walkway.

Materials mirroring the coast

To prevent the architecture from clashing with the environment, the design team pulled material cues directly from the Kona Coast. The structures utilize concrete walls, warm wood ceilings, cedar screens, and basalt stone floors that echo the dark rock found outside.

The technical execution of the roofline is a key feature of the design. Long, thin rooflines appear to float above the walls, and deep overhangs were implemented to provide necessary shade from the intense sun. Even the energy infrastructure is integrated with discretion; solar panels are tucked out of sight from the courtyard to provide power.

Extraordinary Olson Kundig Estate Where Architecture, Landscape & Light Converge — Team Foster Luxury Real Estate | Greater Seattle

The relationship between the built environment and the geology was a primary focus during construction. “We pushed the boundaries on the roof edge details, the structural system, and the way the lava base works its way into the architecture,” Kundig said.

The property’s outdoor spaces follow the natural topography of the site. A pool and hot tub follow the slope of the land facing the ocean, while a sunken fire pit lounge is situated directly within the lava field.

Collaborating with art collectors

The design process was heavily influenced by the clients, who are art collectors. Their involvement meant that the architecture had to function as a gallery as much as a home, with dedicated spots for paintings and sculpture integrated throughout the spaces.

“The most successful collaborations come from working with clients who are deeply engaged in the design process and have a clear understanding of how they want to live and how to articulate that program,” Kundig said.

“They understood our work, brought their own ideas to the conversation, and helped us push the design in unexpected directions,” Kundig said.

The residence’s presence in architectural media dates back several years, with various outlets covering the project’s development and its unique play with light and shadow since at least 2017.

Each bedroom in the guest pavilions opens onto a private courtyard that features its own outdoor shower.