with outside, and each hut is allowed to breathe in its environment as its louvers open and close. “You can leave them open 70 percent of the time,” the architect says. “They’re just a cover over your head.” Initially designed for a family of four, its central structure is a gathering hut that’s centered on an oblong swimming pool facing the kitchen and dining room. At one end is the master bedroom hut, and at the other is a three-bedroom hut with moveable walls to make room for children and an au pair. “I opted for a classic Japanese
fusuma screen concept,” says Kundig. “In that tradition, translucent screens are used for privacy or separation.” The home’s walls are rammed earth, 18 inches thick, because the land the home sits on is battered relentlessly by high winds and corrosive salt air. “The hurricane winds come across this point, so there aren’t many tall trees, and we needed a tough wall to take on the forces of this location,” he adds. “The contractor took it on to learn how to do rammed earth. It’s a material that’s obviously beautiful and handmade, but expensive to do because of labor costs.” There’s little maintenance for the home because of the durable nature of the materials used and the fact that it’s so well protected by the surrounding landscape. “It’s kind of like nice camping,” says Kundig. “It’s laid-back, but it’s also tough as nails.” Originally built for a family, the home is now owned by Peter Lik, the noted Australian landscape photographer – several of his highly prized photographs can be found inside the compound. And if you’re interested in buying the estate, Lik has it listed for sale by Sotheby’s International Realty for $19.8 million. But its best value lies in its spectacular ocean views, and not just of the surfers who constantly challenge the breakers below. Islanders flock to the point also. “It’s used as a lookout for fishing,” says Kundig. “It’s a prominent spot for views of the ocean – the locals signal THE DETAILS when they see a school of For more information, visit fish or whales or turtles. It’s olsonkundigarchitects.com. a pretty spectacular piece of property.” On it stands one of Kundig’s finer odes to the environment – one that merges graciously into the natural elements of the wind, land and ocean around it.
Interior motives
Some 80 feet of pivoting windows connect the home’s sleek interiors with the swimming pool, garden and rugged coastal landscape, offering dramatic views from every vantage point.
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