Hawaiian family compound – revisited
Set atop a hardened lava flow with views of sky, sun, and water Makani Eka Residence strikes a balance between modernity and tradition. Old and new ebb and flow through a simple composition of small structures linked by a lush courtyard and a series of walkways and patios. Composed of four independent structures, including a cedar-clad main living pod, the siting balances the desire to host friends and family as well as privacy. Designed by Walker Warner Architects, the architecture and interiors are modern yet rely heavily on traditional materials and touchstones.
Located in Kailua-Kona on the west coast of Hawaii, the home is built to rest gently in the landscape but also to last for generations.
The compound is surrounded by a field of lava and native grasses. The main living pod is pushed to the edge of the sea, while the supporting structures, containing the two guest suites and communal relaxation areas, are set back, deeper in the property.
Set back deeper in the property are pods containing the two guest suites and communal relaxation areas. Bedrooms open onto concrete-walled private courts for additional seclusion.
The interiors encompass approximately 4,800 square feet, but the arrangement makes the three-bedroom residence feel expansive. The use of heavily mortared lava rock was inspired by the historic Mokuaikaua Church, located in nearby Kailua. Windows are framed in stained sapele mahogany. Western red cedar serves as the dominant wood—both for cladding and the roof shingles—since it resists heat, moisture, and insects. Inside, stained and lightly polished concrete flooring keeps things cool during the day. Inside spaces flow seamlessly to outside.
Sapele-framed sliders glide open to the elements, and operable windows swivel to coax in the breeze and encourage cross ventilation.
The living room unfurls to become porchlike, noting the continuity of floor and ceiling materials between interiors and adjacent alfresco spaces.
Interior design by Philpotts Interiors and Landscape architecture by David Y. Tamura Associates.
