Hana Modern – Restraint & Context by Local Maui Architecture Firm
Nothing excites me more than to see culture based evolution in architecture. By that I mean the process of taking existing and newly available building technologies and processes, and running them through the filter and experience of the local culture – thereby co opting things that resonate with the host culture, and subtly adapting things that aren’t quite right so that the end product is an absolutely unique expression of the local nature of the place.
Even within Maui, there are different cultures – the culture in Hana for instance is substantially different from the Paniolo culture of upcountry Makawao. Any new construction therefore has a great opportunity to gently nudge the existing culture forward.
The Raintree House
And here’s proof – this beautiful rendering of Hunton Conrad and Associates’ new project for a Hana client.
Hunton Conrad is a talented Maui designer who excels at this very process. You can read more about Hunton and his company at Modern On Maui’s feature on his work and his firm.
“Modern” is No Longer a Dirty Word
While I consider this to be a fine example of modern architecture on Maui, it leaves behind the cold and slick austerity of mainland modern in favor of an earthy uniquely Hawaiian form. I love the rounded rooflines, plentiful openings for air and light, and the multi object sense of this design. I’m assuming the chimney column will be lava rock, which will be a nice nod to the ancient aesthetic of the various Hana Heiau and rock walls, not to mention a nice re-working of what was a popular design theme in some of the 1960s era polynesian architecture. (Think Brady Bunch living room!) The separation of the house into portions and connecting spaces makes it easy to handle the challenge of building on such a steeply sloping site.
Kula Modern
If the computer rendering is leaving you begging for more, take a look at one of Hunton’s projects that has actually been built and is currently listed for sale by Island Sotheby’s International Real Estate. 83 Ikena Kai Place (MLS# 361290).
Spoiler: Real Estate Schmooze Below
Okay, you didn’t think you’d get away without a Real Estate Schmooze, right? – Here goes: If you’d like to build your own Maui Modern house, or purchase any real property on Maui, I would love to help you accomplish that goal as your realtor. End of Schmooze.
Liam S. Ball, R(S)
liam@hawaiilife.com
808.280.7809
mike
September 17, 2014
Aloha Liam-
Thanks for the great posts, but especially for providing these renderings and write-up. The Raintree House design seems to address climate and slope more creatively than most of what I’ve seen here in the islands. Kudos to Hunton Conrad and his team. And yes, as you say, many mainland (and Canadian) architects gave modernism that ‘cold, slick austerity’. Thanks for rightly calling them out. But before dismissing all mainland modernists, a nod is due to the Organic School, a design philosophy often associated with ‘modernism’. Organic Modern is alive and well. Here are two notable pioneers still in practice: Dan Liebermann of California and Native Canadian Douglas Cardinal. Both are represented in “Breaking the Wave: New Organic Architecture, (UC Berkeley Press) Below are nice write ups in the Toronto Star and San Francisco Chronicle- I promise: no ‘cold, slick austerity from these legends. I would love to see either one (both!) commissioned to collaborate on projects here in the islands. Cheers- mike
http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Life-ahead-of-the-curve-The-world-is-finally-2600353.php
http://www.thestar.com/news/stardispatches/2014/05
/09/canadas_douglas_cardinal_an_architects_legacy.html
Liam Ball
September 17, 2014
Thanks Mike – great addition to the thread. I will check those out. Also are you familiar with Samuel Mockbee? There’s a great documentary on his life and work – he’s kind of like a socialistic modernist but has built some truly incredible structures with very modest resources. He did a performance venue that used hundreds of used windshields. Very progressive earth friendly work. Here’s to the innovators!
mike
September 18, 2014
Agreed: “To the Innovators!” I pulled up a few examples of Mockbee and the Rural Studio. Great stuff! Thanks for sharing. I will give it the time it deserves when can. Meanwhile, here’s a shout-out to some LOCAL innovators: Whispering Winds Bamboo on the Hana side.. Bamboo is amazing: “A 4″ diameter (Bamboo) pole is equivalent to a 4×4 of wood and is known to have greater load capacity.” Local ‘eco-treated’ timber-strength Bamboo would seem to be a good fit for ‘Hana Modern’. Don’t ya think? -Cheers. http://www.whisperingwindsbamboo.com/whyboo.html PS Bamboo Resort Architecture that will knock your slippers off:
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/thailand/six_senses_soneva_kiri_resort_koh_kood_t310112_15.jpg
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/thailand/six_senses_soneva_kiri_resort_koh_kood_t310112_10.jpg
Liam
September 18, 2014
Bamboo Acid Trip! I love it. Amazing craftsmanship in Thailand. My slippers did get knocked off thank you. I’m also friends with David Sands who pioneered a lot of the early permitted bamboo structures. He had numerous county hoops to jump through but he jumped and was successful. Thanks for the lively thread.
mike
September 17, 2014
Aloha Liam-
Thanks for the great posts, but especially for providing these renderings and write-up. The Raintree House design seems to address climate and slope more creatively than most of what I’ve seen here in the islands. Kudos to Hunton Conrad and his team. And yes, as you say, many mainland (and Canadian) architects gave modernism that ‘cold, slick austerity’. Thanks for rightly calling them out. But before dismissing all mainland modernists, a nod is due to the Organic School, a design philosophy often associated with ‘modernism’. Organic Modern is alive and well. Here are two notable pioneers still in practice: Dan Liebermann of California and Native Canadian Douglas Cardinal. Both are represented in “Breaking the Wave: New Organic Architecture, (UC Berkeley Press) Below are nice write ups in the Toronto Star and San Francisco Chronicle- I promise: no ‘cold, slick austerity from these legends. I would love to see either one (both!) commissioned to collaborate on projects here in the islands. Cheers- mike
http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Life-ahead-of-the-curve-The-world-is-finally-2600353.php
http://www.thestar.com/news/stardispatches/2014/05
/09/canadas_douglas_cardinal_an_architects_legacy.html
Liam Ball
September 17, 2014
Thanks Mike – great addition to the thread. I will check those out. Also are you familiar with Samuel Mockbee? There’s a great documentary on his life and work – he’s kind of like a socialistic modernist but has built some truly incredible structures with very modest resources. He did a performance venue that used hundreds of used windshields. Very progressive earth friendly work. Here’s to the innovators!
mike
September 18, 2014
Agreed: “To the Innovators!” I pulled up a few examples of Mockbee and the Rural Studio. Great stuff! Thanks for sharing. I will give it the time it deserves when can. Meanwhile, here’s a shout-out to some LOCAL innovators: Whispering Winds Bamboo on the Hana side.. Bamboo is amazing: “A 4″ diameter (Bamboo) pole is equivalent to a 4×4 of wood and is known to have greater load capacity.” Local ‘eco-treated’ timber-strength Bamboo would seem to be a good fit for ‘Hana Modern’. Don’t ya think? -Cheers. http://www.whisperingwindsbamboo.com/whyboo.html PS Bamboo Resort Architecture that will knock your slippers off:
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/thailand/six_senses_soneva_kiri_resort_koh_kood_t310112_15.jpg
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/thailand/six_senses_soneva_kiri_resort_koh_kood_t310112_10.jpg
Liam
September 18, 2014
Bamboo Acid Trip! I love it. Amazing craftsmanship in Thailand. My slippers did get knocked off thank you. I’m also friends with David Sands who pioneered a lot of the early permitted bamboo structures. He had numerous county hoops to jump through but he jumped and was successful. Thanks for the lively thread.
Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B)
September 17, 2014
Nice Liam! How’s your itHouse project coming?
Beth Thoma Robinson, R(B)
September 17, 2014
Nice Liam! How’s your itHouse project coming?
Liam
September 17, 2014
Hey Beth – I’ve created a separate blog for any developments on the itHouse project. The URL for that is http://www.modernonmaui.com/kaupakulua-ithouse/ and you can also get alerts if you “Like” my modernonmaui Facebook page. Mike – I just checked out the article on Douglas Cardinal – wow thanks for the tip – that St. Mary’s Church in Red Deer is A TRIP! – I will see if I can buy that book as a digital download.
Liam
September 17, 2014
Hey Beth – I’ve created a separate blog for any developments on the itHouse project. The URL for that is http://www.modernonmaui.com/kaupakulua-ithouse/ and you can also get alerts if you “Like” my modernonmaui Facebook page. Mike – I just checked out the article on Douglas Cardinal – wow thanks for the tip – that St. Mary’s Church in Red Deer is A TRIP! – I will see if I can buy that book as a digital download.
Brian Rigney
September 19, 2014
Aloha Liam, it is so inspiring to know that we are not the only beings here on Maui, who enjoy, embrace the new modernism design aesthetic (actually I believe we in fact live, breathe and sleep modern design). Huge kudos to Hunton Conrad for such a refreshingly new interpretation of the single family home.
I will continue to follow your bloggings. Hele on with the good work!
Mahalo,
Brian and Michelle
Bydesignbbuilders.com
Poggenpohlhawaii.com
Liam
September 20, 2014
Hey Brian – I’d love to meet you guys and see what Poggenpohl is all about. I already love the few pictures I’ve seen on your FB page. Do you have a showroom here on Maui, or virtual somewhere? I had such fun visiting a high end kitchen showroom in Santa Monica – sometimes it takes a physical experience to understand the quality – the kitchens there looked really plain and blocky in photos but when I got to TOUCH the surfaces and feel the materials it was a whole new world. Perhaps it’s the same with Poggenpohl. I look forward to connecting with you guys!
Brian Rigney
September 19, 2014
Aloha Liam, it is so inspiring to know that we are not the only beings here on Maui, who enjoy, embrace the new modernism design aesthetic (actually I believe we in fact live, breathe and sleep modern design). Huge kudos to Hunton Conrad for such a refreshingly new interpretation of the single family home.
I will continue to follow your bloggings. Hele on with the good work!
Mahalo,
Brian and Michelle
Bydesignbbuilders.com
Poggenpohlhawaii.com
Liam
September 20, 2014
Hey Brian – I’d love to meet you guys and see what Poggenpohl is all about. I already love the few pictures I’ve seen on your FB page. Do you have a showroom here on Maui, or virtual somewhere? I had such fun visiting a high end kitchen showroom in Santa Monica – sometimes it takes a physical experience to understand the quality – the kitchens there looked really plain and blocky in photos but when I got to TOUCH the surfaces and feel the materials it was a whole new world. Perhaps it’s the same with Poggenpohl. I look forward to connecting with you guys!
Brian Rigney
September 21, 2014
Aloha Liam,
Thank you. We would appreciate meeting with you upon our return from Germany and London this week. Perhaps we could schedule a time in our home office in Maui Meadows early next week.
I concur that the tactile experience is preferable to the the limitations of an on-line view. Currently, Poggenpohl Hawaii does not have a show room, although plans are in the works with a location to be determined. While we have limited access to the completed project seen on our fB home page, we have a full set of sample door finishes.
BY DESIGN Builders, our Maui based design/build firm, specializing in the contemporary and modern aesthetic, is the preferred Poggenpohl installer. For two dimensional viewing of additional completed projects, please visit: http://www.bydesignmaui.com
I look forward to your reply.
Mahalo,
Brian
Brian Rigney
September 21, 2014
Aloha Liam,
Thank you. We would appreciate meeting with you upon our return from Germany and London this week. Perhaps we could schedule a time in our home office in Maui Meadows early next week.
I concur that the tactile experience is preferable to the the limitations of an on-line view. Currently, Poggenpohl Hawaii does not have a show room, although plans are in the works with a location to be determined. While we have limited access to the completed project seen on our fB home page, we have a full set of sample door finishes.
BY DESIGN Builders, our Maui based design/build firm, specializing in the contemporary and modern aesthetic, is the preferred Poggenpohl installer. For two dimensional viewing of additional completed projects, please visit: http://www.bydesignmaui.com
I look forward to your reply.
Mahalo,
Brian