This vacation home overlooking Maui’s southern shore was designed with sustainability and a sense of place in mind.
Stunning views are captured in both exterior and interiors spaces. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRAVIS ROWAN
THE PRIORITY
“At its heart, this vacation home is about creating a sanctuary where a multigenerational family can share experiences and create memories,” says Mark de Reus, AIA founding partner at de Reus Architects. “With views to the ocean, mountain landscapes and other nearby islands, this home was designed to experience nature and support active lifestyles.” Encompassing beauty, function, and cutting-edge residential sustainability, all while paying homage to the power of place, was paramount for the client.
Cues from nature inspire the design of the primary bedroom. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRAVIS ROWAN
THE STRATEGY
“The 6,000-square-foot home’s architecture is both contemporary and casual, befitting its coastal neighborhood, intended family use and a less-is-better approach that results in a minimalist aesthetic,” says de Reus. “A strong connection with nature and l ivability drives the arrangement of the home’s main gathering spaces.”
With sustainability and a sense of place in mind, Philpotts Interiors used a local woodworker and materials, and also reclaimed wood from off-island manufacturers. “We took cues from nature and the site, drawing the outside in,” says Anne Tanaka, senior designer at Philpotts Interiors. “We aimed to celebrate Hawaiian culture through the interpretation of design detailing.”
THE DETAILS
“At the most fundamental level, [architectural] inspiration was derived directly from the demands and conditions of the project: the clients, site and culture, rather than adapted from a precedent. This First Principles approach in Hawai‘i involves integrating a building with its environment—the home wants to live in the landscape so the client and their family are immersed in its many aspects and pleasures,” says de Reus. “From there, we crafted a tropical modern vernacular that expresses the authenticity of place and architectural experience. The home was shaped and crafted so it would feel appropriate in its setting, optimizing the livability for the family and achieving an overall design with simple elegance.”
A covered lanai sits between the pool and interior living, dining and kitchen spaces. Large pocket doors open to merge the exterior and interior spaces and allow for an open plan with kitchen, dining and living areas integrated into a single casual space. These main gathering spaces, both exterior and interior, are layered one behind the other and are designed for flexibility: there is the ability to open up entirely as one large space or adjust as desired to give protection from sun and wind.
Sustainable strategies, including large roof overhangs for shading, green roofs, natural ventilation, metal-clad doors and windows for durability, photovoltaic solar panels and battery storage, a well-insulated building envelope, high-performance glazing, brise-soleil sunscreens, ceiling fans to augment natural ventilation, stormwater management, daylighting, use of local Ohia hardwood, and energy-efficient appliances, resulted in LEED Silver certification.
The dining table by Maui Custom Woodworks takes center stage, adorned by Palecek (palecek.com) Caprice dining chairs. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRAVIS ROWAN
THE DESIGN
“Schematic [interior] design was a partnership with the architect and client to define the sustainability, function, program and aesthetics,” says Tanaka. “Design development was an energetic exchange with our team and client to further the vision.” The cohesive palette of natural finish materials with lush colorations and textures is a distinct feature of the home. Durable exterior finishes include local field stone site walls, cut coral stone walls, metal clad windows and doors. Interior finishes include limestone floors, coral stone columns, and local Ohia hardwood was used for the cabinetry and ceilings, and a large slab of mango wood was used for the dining table.
“Hawaiian culture is reflected in the vocabulary of many of the pieces, such as Leis made from teak in the entry, and wallcovering and wood carvings that reference Hawaiian Kapa cloth,” says Marion Philpotts-Miller, partner at Philpotts Interiors. “A deep blue granite was used on the countertops and backsplash in the kitchen, incorporating the ocean blue of the horizon beyond, adding to the overall drama of the centrally located space.” Philpotts Interiors sprinkled custom benches, coffee tables, mirrors and wall art inspired by Hawai‘i’s beautiful culture throughout the home.
Sustainable strategies, including green roofs, were implemented in the architecture of this 6,000-square-foot home. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRAVIS ROWAN
THE OUTCOME
A smooth collaboration with the client, architect, builder and landscape team resulted in a cohesively designed vacation home for an active family incorporating sustainability and materials that were durable while referencing a sense of place. “Hawai‘i is a gift to us all,” says Philpotts-Miller, “and we all have such an important role in sustaining our land and oceans for future generations.”
A serene entrance is set with a custom palm pot in front of Pierre Frey Neo wallcovering. PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRAVIS ROWAN
DESIGN DETAILS
DESIGNER
Philpotts Interiors, philpotts.net
ARCHITECT
de Reus Architects, dereusarchitects.com
BUILDER
Colt Construction, 970.275.9241
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
VITA Planning and Landscape Architecture, vitainc.com
RESOURCES
A.Rudin
Custom counter stools in the kitchen; arudin.com
Janus et Cie
Amari chairs in great room lanai and chaise in primary bedroom lanai, janusetcie.com
Link Outdoor
Banyan lounge furniture in great room lanai, linkoutdoor.com
Maui Custom Woodworks
Dining table and primary bed, mauicustomwoodworks.com
Phillip Jeffries
Jacks Jungle wallcovering in the primary bedroom, phillipjeffries.com
Place., A Design Atelier by Philpotts
Carved cocktail table in great room lanai, placehawaii.com
Stoneyard
Table in great room lanai, stoneyardinc.com
Sutherland
Reeded lounge chair in great room lanai, sutherlandfurniture.com
Photography by:
