Located down a short path from the Kailua beach on the eastern shore of Oahu, this house has peekaboo views of the Pacific Ocean and the Mokulua Islands off Lanikai. Despite its proximity to the beach, the surrounding neighborhood is fairly dense, which created a desire to focus the house inward to the lush jungle landscape and celebrate the island mana of Hawaii. The house, a simple two story bar structure with a central stair leading from the main living area to the bedrooms, is adjoined by a grass-roofed lanai structure.
At the center of the lanai and directly adjacent to the living space is a linear pool. The roof of the lanai opens in a half-circular void to bring sun and warmth to the pool while also providing a respite from the Hawaiian sun and frequent tropical rains. The lanai is perched upon four separate volumes containing an outdoor bathroom, office, outdoor kitchen, and a tea room.
Vertical dowels covering the skin of the dark green house encourage a connection between the wild landscape and the house, so that the house becomes a living object covered in plants over time. The program of the house includes a great room kitchen/dining/living room, three bedrooms, a library, guest quarters with bunkroom over the garage, pool, lanai, office, outdoor bath, and tea room.
Team:
Collaborators: Fujita Netski Architecture, Terremoto, Delta Engineering, Concept 2 Completion
Project Team: Casper Mork-Ulnes, Lexie Mork-Ulnes, Robert Scott, Greg Ladigin, Will Dolin
Photography: Joe Fletcher
