This Hawaii home blends memories of a bygone era with all the comforts of a modern-day island home.
Overlooking coastal anchialine ponds where ancient Hawai’ians raised fish, this 13,497-square-foot home for an extended family was designed in such a way that all its major living spaces capture views of Uluweuweu Bay and Kikaua Point.
Designed by de Reus Architects, inspiration was taken from the writings of John Ruskin and the art of William Morris, proponents of the Arts and Crafts movement. At its philosophical root, the movement was invested in the essence of the human spirit, utilitarian values, rustic simplicity, and the use of handcraft, natural materials, and allied arts. The owners of Wai’olu Residence desired to echo the same spirit in their home, while also accommodating a contemporary lifestyle and sensibilities.
The home’s entry vestibule is understated and compressed to a low scale with a simple cedar beam ceiling. The enlarged volume of the entry, with its timber-frame trusses, adds drama to the sense of arrival. The dining area, living area, and kitchen are casually grouped under one roof. A partial-height coral stone wall sets the dining area apart from the living area and kitchen.
Transition spaces such as the entry, lanais, foyer are an important architectural element that, in addition to providing shade to living spaces, add considerable graciousness to the atmosphere of the home. Curved wood knee braces frame views from the living spaces, and are an iconic arts and crafts detail. The clients’ collection of late-nineteenth-century ship figureheads overlooks several of the common areas as if to provide guidance and protection for the residents and their guests.
Photo: Joe Fletcher
