Sunday Escape - Phoenix House

How to combine a certain amount of courage with an ancient romance and love of nature?

Staying at Phoenix House, a small 450 square foot cottage located in Hawaii, on the Big Island, the lava flow that is located at the base of Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth. The idea to build it six kilometers from its crater, the picturesque gray undulating terrain arose from cooled magma comes from Will Beilharz, founder of the architectural firm Artistree, specializing in tree houses. 

Enthusiastic after visiting this place at 50 kilometers from Hilo International Airport in 2006, man decided to build a hut here and call it Phoenix, like the bird that comes from its ashes, emphasizing the analogy between the magical animal and a place that, despite being threatened by the destructive power of nature, always continues to regenerate.

The only feature to respect? A deep love for Mother Earth. So the mezzanine cabinet, with minimalist furnishings, with living room with kitchen, bathroom, and a bedroom is an example of sustainability that uses solar power, rainwater, and many recycled materials.

All the elements that make building an unicum with the surrounding landscape, along with the blackened wood finish obtained thanks to Shou Sugi Ban, the Japanese burning technique, and to the recycled and rusty corrugated metal covering the roof by imitating the color of the lava hot.

Did you want to stay at Phoenix House?

You can do this for about 139 euro per night.

An opportunity to observe

"the smoke of the volcano, the sparkling ocean and miles, and miles of dramatic expanses of black lava spa experience almost primordial".

images via dezeen