Living in a remote location with unforgiving climatic conditions has its challenges. Most people think of Hawaii as a tropical paradise full of warm sandy beaches, crystal clear seas, waterfalls, and vivid foliage, but there?s another side to this isolated string of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Off the beaten path and away from all the tourist attractions, you?ll find rocky cliffs, waves too rough for swimming, and dramatic winds whipping through the palm trees. It?s here, on Maui?s northern coast, where designer Robert Stroj finally found the right setting for his new home.

Hired to head the design research studio of NeilPryde, a company that makes windsurfing equipment, Stroj had to make a big change from his former life in Europe. It took him the better part of a decade to find the perfect spot upon which to build a permanent residence for himself and his family, perched high up on a cliff and overlooking the churning ocean. Perhaps it?s not surprising that he felt a kinship with this particular part of Hawaii, himself being from Slovenia. Naturally, he hired the Slovenian firm Dekleva Gregoric to create a modern home deserving of the location. ?Perfect ocean view, beautiful cliffs, strong winds, and unspoiled landscape,? say the architects. ?Is there any space for a house" It was a very unusual task for us European architects usually dealing with quite dense urban environments. It was hard to understand before its first visit, and easy to respond after some days...