Architecture

Pair of tiny dwellings built on solidified lava in Hawaii

Pair of tiny dwellings built on solidified lava in Hawaii
Outside House is a pair of cabins by Associate Professor in the Department ofArchitecture and in the Environmental Studies Program at theUniversity of Oregon, Erin Moore
Outside House is a  pair of cabins by Associate Professor in the Department ofArchitecture and in the Environmental Studies Program at theUniversity of Oregon, Erin Moore
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The Makai outdoor shelter is built with a galvanized steel frame and was fullyprefabricated off-site
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The Makai outdoor shelter is built with a galvanized steel frame and was fullyprefabricated off-site
Designed as a place to enjoy the outdoors, Makai features a largesheltered open terrace with a basic outdoor kitchen
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Designed as a place to enjoy the outdoors, Makai features a largesheltered open terrace with a basic outdoor kitchen 
Tiny house designer Erin Moore has realized the construction of two dwellings amid a 300 year old solidified lava landscape in Hawaii
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Tiny house designer Erin Moore has realized the construction of two dwellings amid a 300 year old solidified lava landscape in Hawaii
Dubbed Outside House, the pair of cabins were conceived as a place toconnect with the land, without impacting upon it
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Dubbed Outside House, the pair of cabins were conceived as a place toconnect with the land, without impacting upon it
Mauka is a fully enclosed cabin, designed as a comfortable place to relax
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Mauka is a fully enclosed cabin, designed as a comfortable place to relax 
Mauka features large glass sliding doors and stunning wooden finishing throughout
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Mauka features large glass sliding doors and stunning wooden finishing throughout
In keeping with the client’s wish to preserve the land, the pair of cabins are designed for modest living
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In keeping with the client’s wish to preserve the land, the pair of cabins are designed for modest living
The pair of cabins can both be dismantled without impacting the land and re-installed on a different location if desired
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The pair of cabins can both be dismantled without impacting the land and re-installed on a different location if desired
The Makai outdoor shelter is positioned several feet away from the Mauka tiny house
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The Makai outdoor shelter is positioned several feet away from the Mauka tiny house
Makai was carried into the site by foot, before being assembled and anchored securely to the ground via four threaded rods
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Makai was carried into the site by foot, before being assembled and anchored securely to the ground via four threaded rods
Both the Mauka and Makai cabins were conceptualized as an easy to install"home kit"
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Both the Mauka and Makai cabins were conceptualized as an easy to install"home kit"
Makai outdoor pavilion features a hidden outdoor shower
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Makai outdoor pavilion features a hidden outdoor shower
The humble Mauka cabin features a cozy double bed, seating and desk area
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The humble Mauka cabin features a cozy double bed, seating and desk area
Mauka is a fully enclosed cabin, designed as a comfortable place to sleep
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Mauka is a fully enclosed cabin, designed as a comfortable place to sleep
Maukais accessible via a rear staircase
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Maukais accessible via a rear staircase
Outside House is a pair of cabins by Associate Professor in the Department ofArchitecture and in the Environmental Studies Program at theUniversity of Oregon, Erin Moore
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Outside House is a  pair of cabins by Associate Professor in the Department ofArchitecture and in the Environmental Studies Program at theUniversity of Oregon, Erin Moore
Outside House plans by Erin Moore
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Outside House plans by Erin Moore
View gallery - 17 images

Tinyhouse designer and Associate Professor in the Department ofArchitecture and in the Environmental Studies Program at theUniversity of Oregon, Erin Moore has realized the construction of twodwellings amid a 300 year old solidified lava landscape in Hawaii.Dubbed Outside House, the pair of cabins were conceived as a place toconnect with the land, without impacting upon it.

OutsideHouse consists of two structures: "Mauka"the Hawaiian word for"inland toward the mountains" and "Makai"meaning "seaward." Inkeeping with the client's wish to preserve the land, the pair ofcabins are designed for modest living and can both be dismantledwithout leaving a footprint and re-installed on a different locationif desired.

"Thecenter of the Outside House is the uneven, ever-changing groundbetween the pavilions," says Erin Moore. "The unbuilt areasof the Outside House – lichen on the lava, a curved rock wall, agrowing endemic mamanetree – are the essence of daily living in this place and what theclient values most."

Maukais a fully enclosed cabin, designed as a comfortable place to sleep,relax and read a book during the day, while also enjoying the views out across the lush Hawaiian landscape. Accessible via a rear staircase, thehumble cabin features a cozy double bed, seating and desk area, largeglass sliding doors and stunning wooden finishing throughout.

The pair of cabins can both be dismantled without impacting the land and re-installed on a different location if desired
The pair of cabins can both be dismantled without impacting the land and re-installed on a different location if desired

TheMauka tiny house was built using a lightwood-frame construction which is elevated above the lava ground byfour concrete pillars. The north and south sides of the cabin are cladwith a reflective film, while the east and west sides are clad withwestern red cedar. The home is also fitted with screened vents foroptimum air flow and the roof features polycarbonate sheathing,protecting it from the island rains.

Several feet away from the Mauka tiny house is the Makai outdoor shelter.Designed as a place to enjoy the outdoors, Makai features a largesheltered open terrace with a basic outdoor kitchen and hidden open shower. The outdoor shelter is built with a galvanized steelframe and was fully prefabricated off-site. Makai was carried ontothe site by foot, before being assembled and anchoredsecurely to the ground via four threaded rods.

Both the Mauka and Makai cabins were conceptualized as an easy to install"home kit"
Both the Mauka and Makai cabins were conceptualized as an easy to install"home kit"

Boththe Mauka and Makai cabins were conceptualized as an easy to install"home kit" with each section being light enough to becarried to site by two people. The structures were assembled togetherin limited time and without the need for heavy equipment. Bothdwellings can be fitted with solar panels, rain water tanks andcomposting toilets, creating a self-sustaining off-the-grid home.

OutsideHouse isthis year's first place winner of the University of Hawaii's Building Voices Design Competition.

Source: Float via Dwell

View gallery - 17 images
3 comments
3 comments
Gizmowiz
Hawaii is beautiful. Those tiny houses are an insult to the beauty of the area. Make them blend in more. Jeeze.
Nik
Super location, but why are the units so far apart? That could be inconvenient in winter when it rains, if one needs to pay a visit, or when one arises in the morning and has to trek through rain for a shower, and breakfast. Weird! My feelings are that something that looked a little more 'rustic' would have been more appropriate.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think those are nice. I like how one can see the area around them and be surrounded by nature.