Stunning Home Built Into the Ground

The Hawk House in New Zealand is an architectural wonder. Located between the towns of Wanaka and Cromwell on New Zealand’s South Island, the stunning home looks as if it was built into the ground. (1, 2)

Denise Ryan-Costello and her husband, Paul, worked with architect James Stockwell to develop the home. They owned a 12-acre plot in the foothills of the Pisa Range that used to be a sheep station. The couple wanted an off-the-grid house where they could enjoy the area’s famous views. But they had the challenge of protecting the buildings (and the people in them) from the extremely strong winds and frigid temperatures sometimes experienced there. (1, 2)

But Stockwell was ready for the challenge, and Ryan-Costello trusted him with the project. “Taking a residential client into this territory and doing this individual stuff can be a disaster if it isn’t worked out enough to be buildable … and liveable,” Stockwell told Domain. But he described Ryan-Costello as “very design literate” and said she let him get to work “without being too directive”. (2)

A Unique Home

From the nearby road, only the roofs of the three-bedroom house and separate studio are visible. They are tucked into the ground and surrounded by stonework and grasses, providing both privacy and protection from the elements. (2)

The result is both breathtaking and practical, and each of these characteristics seems to lend itself to the other. For example, although the roofs are highly functional, they are also artful. Their design was inspired by the Miura fold, a geometry technique discovered by aerospace engineer Koryo Miura. The Miura fold resembles origami, and this comparison is noticeable both in the roofs outside and the indoor ceilings. They create a visible connection to the nearby mountains. (2)

Stockwell said that tucking the buildings into the ground seemed like a natural choice. “That, and the idea of a roof with a high central part that opens up the front and tucks in the edges, came early,” Stockwell told Domain. “There wasn’t anything too amazing about it. But then, I was thinking of the effect you can get in an enclosing space that once you get inside goes Boom! and opens right up.” (2)

Stockwell also played with the structure by tilting it forward. He added large windows where possible. And high, thin windows were included both internally and externally to allow light into as many spaces as possible “so they’re not too cave-like, according to Stockwell. (2)

Hawk House

The home’s official name, Rangi Kahu, means “sky of hawks”. Ryan-Costello calls it Hawk House. “The house and studio look like hawks from an aerial view and hawks fly in front of the house,” she told the New Zealand Herald. (1)

“It’s a very special house,” Ryan-Costello told Domain. And the architecture community agrees. The home has won several awards, including Supreme House Build of the Year from New Zealand’s Registered Master Builders organization. (1, 2)

Hawk House was originally meant to be a family vacation home. But unfortunately, Ryan-Costello’s husband, Paul, became ill and passed away during the building process. Now, the home is available for rental on Airbnb for $374 a night. The home has a five-star rating and sparkling reviews. If you’ve ever wanted to stay in an award-winning home, Hawk House may just be your opportunity. (1, 2, 3)