I'm home

Driving from the center of Oahu through Waikiki to further east, there exists a residential area, Hawaii Kai facing Pacific Ocean on the south. In that residential area, Mike Mckenna who runs a successful car dealing operation, owns a house. This house facing a small cove, overlooks Diamond Head in front and can enjoy the sunset from Lanai(terrace).
An architect, Fritz Johnson designed this house, having a traditional Hawaiian style as a base. With a background of having a beach front location, stream runs through the center of premises. On one side, there is a main house and when you cross a stream, a king's room is located, further in the back, there is a guest room. This kind of layout was used in the Hawaiian dynasty. Fritz learned architecture in Europe and considers there lies a Hawaiian true essence in the traditional style as he is awe-inspired by the unique culture of Hawaii nurtured by nature.
By locating a stream in the center, a warm ocean wind is cooled down and refreshing breeze will be delivered to the inside of the house. Moreover, by setting up the building independent, an aperture was easily established and by this, dividing line between indoor and outside became vague.
This house is laid out having a swimming pool located in between the main house with a spacious living room and a dining room and the building wing with bedrooms and bathrooms. Scissors truss is used for the living room being the center of the residence and even though it's a wooden residence, no pillars exist and vaulted ceiling was created. For frames and ceilings, koa which is often utilized for furniture, was used. Glass was used for dividing inside and outside of the house and this creates one expansive, open space connecting inside of the house, swimming pool, garden to the ocean.

Architect : Fritz Johnson, Inc. Architect

COMMENTS