Rising from the Hawaiian Volcanic Ashes

Just because a tiny house is petite in stature doesn’t mean it lacks amenities. In fact, some of our favorite diminutive dwellings pack a bigger design punch than houses three times their size. That’s because the owners are intent on maximizing their square footage, dreaming up clever ways to squeeze in all the comforts of home without sacrificing environmental sustainability or dashing good looks.

Taken on pedigree alone, the Phoenix House in Pāhoa, Hawaii is impressive: It was designed by Will Beilharz, founder of sustainable architecture firm ArtisTree Home, and exists completely off-the-grid. But where it exists—in the middle of a hardened lava field on Hawaii’s Big Island—is even more flooring. Plunked at the foot of the Kīlauea volcano, which has been erupting continuously for 38 years, this tiny house is so close to the red-hot action, guests can see Pele’s fiery glow from its front porch. (For a closer look, cycle four miles up the road and watch the molten lava drop 100 feet into the sea.) The tiny house’s unique exterior is inspired by its alien environs, blending rusty corrugated metal with blackened wood cladding charred by a Japanese technique called shou sugi ban. The modest interior includes everything utility travelers need to feel settled: mini-fridge, coffee maker, and plenty of windows for observing the fury of Mother Nature.