17085 Haleakala Hwy
Designed perhaps by Hans Riecke?
What is it about architects’ personas that with the rare exception of some very famous people like Frank Lloyd Wright and Zaha Hadid we never really know what they look like? They stay hidden in the shadows of their monuments. Today’s menu features a house that may or may not have been originally designed by Hans, but his firm’s name is on record as plans Designer for an addition and extension to the original house. My friend and colleague Elena Panigada who is also the co listor for this property (which is now for sale), reached out to me to get my opinion on what kind of style this architecture would be. I have to admit I was stumped. The exterior is rather boxy and plain - completely lacking in ornamentation with no symmetry nor any other particularly notable characteristics. The inside however is a multi level joyful play of light, elevation, and scale. Form following function taken to the extreme? Kind of like a space station - super luxe and fancy interior, with not much concern to the neighboring aliens who might be gazing at its industrial exterior. But really I’m being silly - I actually love this house!
The “Space Station” as seen from the orchard above the house as Haleakala’s own cooling atmosphere swirls in all directions.
Builders, Permits, Plans
From my quick dive into the archives it looks as though the original house was designed in 1972 by Charles Stevens. It was further expanded by a subsequent building permit that lists Hans Riecke Architects as the plans designer. Returning to Elena’s question, I wondered if Maui had its own sense of leaping forward out of the ordinary typical boxy home plans into a new cinematic architectural reality. It has a few James Bond elements (cascading lava waterfall, sunken library) so of course I wondered to myself, what were the big films of this era? Movie making tends to inform popular culture and that extends also to Architecture. I was seven years old when this house came to life and these were the popular films of the era: Live and Let Die - starring Roger Moore, The Godfather, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask. Hmmmm. This was also the era of key parties, (if you don’t know what these are, try Google them). If you can time warp your head into this era, then this house will make you smile.
Circa 2020
Okay enough of the dive into history. What is this house offering a design snob today? Sophisticated modernism, peacefully executed resulting in a casually comfortable stylish place to hang your hat. This is a house that cleverly and even obviously adapts itself to the particular slope of this hill overlooking all the beauty of the central valley and the ocean on the southside. With an atrium as its central connective tissue, the house extends its fingered limbs to multiple areas of the hill creating unique private spaces each with their own stunning view and seclusion. The current owners have attended to every detail and brought a relaxing curation of contemporary furnishings and surfaces. There’s a magazine worthy kitchen, and sitting nooks with beautiful custom wood shelves. The form of the house as it climbs around the hill offers a huge diversity of “getaways” - an upper loft for creative pursuits, an atrium, several cozy dens, a sunken library etc. Really a delightful plan. Take a look at the pictures below and check out the 3D virtual tour here.
Special thanks to listing agents Elena Panigada and Linda Briske for helping me gain access. The house is listed for sale by Island Sotheby’s International Realty. I can represent you as a buyer. LINK TO LISTING IS HERE Contact me for a tour… Liam Ball RB-21691 808.280.7809 Photography by yours truly.
To see a sample of some of the work that Hans Riecke has built on Maui click here: Hans Riecke Houses
More Details of the house below - enjoy!
