Design consultancy LifeEdited has built a family home on Hawaiian island Maui, as a model for sustainable, off-grid living.

The LifeEdited: Maui residence was completed last year to showcase methods of constructing, furnishing and running a house with as little environmental impact as possible.

The black building is entirely self-sufficient, boasting a combination of design and technology features that save and produce energy, and collect and store rainwater.

"We are presenting a vision of the future that is sustainable, resilient and frankly, awesome," said LifeEdited founder Graham Hill.
"With as much as 70 per cent of global carbon emissions tied to constructing, operating and furnishing buildings, the project is a firsthand representation of how we can reshape our future, starting with life at home."
The two-storey house sits on a steep remote site. Measuring 1,000 square feet (93 square metres), its flexible layout includes four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and an indoor-outdoor area for cooking, eating, working and relaxing.

All of the living space is located on the upper level, while a garage and storage facilities are housed underneath.

Space-saving furniture in the lounge and bedrooms allows the areas to be used for different functions, depending on the occupants. LifeEdited said the home is capable of entertaining up to 20 people.

The house is outfitted with efficient LED lights and a low-energy air-conditioning system. Windows ...