The Tahitian Pavilion: A Significant Oceanfront Home in Napili, Maui
Front Yard of 39 Papaua Place
The Tahitian Pavilion, along with 150 of the Island’s architecturally and historically significant structures, are showcased in the beautiful photo book Architecture in Hawaii: A Chronological Survey. An excerpt:
This “contemporary interpretation of a Hawaiian pole house” was the dream of its owner, Rob Thibaut, who contracted Kendrick Bangs Kellogg to accomplish the design.
The Napili Oceanfront House—designed by Kendrick Bangs Kellogg
A five-bedroom home built on four levels that step down to the ocean, the “Tahitian Pavilion” takes full advantage of the site, the tip of a rocky promontory close to Kapalua Resort in beautiful West Maui.
The Rocky Point out front is a mecca for surfing and snorkeling
Heavy, sandblasted ridge beams form the irregular hexagon-shaped hipped roof, radiating from the structure’s centerpiece, a massive fireplace made of local moss rock. The foundation of the sculptural fireplace, like those of the vertical poles that also support the roof, are set in ancient lava tubes below the house.
Hexagon Roof with Lava Rock Fireplace
Glass panels displace cedar shingles on the third top of the roof, bringing natural light and ever-changing shadows inside. Tongue-and-groove native koa and lava rock are used for interior and exterior walls.
Koa Pocket door open up to ginger plants along the dining area
Redwood-decked covered lanai wrap the living room, dining room and master bedroom. A system of koa wood doors permits the beach house to be almost completely opened to the trade winds and the environment, including the smells and sounds of tropical blossoms, sea birds, and the ocean.
The book illustrates the diversity of Hawaii’s architecture “from humble plantation cottages to fabulous estates and resort hotels.” Local and International architects “define a distinctive regional vernacular—architecture appropriate to Hawaii’s climate and sensitive to its environment.”
A four-bedroom home built on four levels that step down to the ocean
The Tahitian Pavilion is featured in the chapter on “Contemporary Architecture” –1971 and beyond. The author explains this period expresses a renewed emphasis on appropriate designs for indoor-outdoor-living when “the boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas are blurred…
Front Deck for watching whales, surfers, sunsets, and turtles
Redwood-decked covered lanai wrap the living room, dining room and master bedroom. A system of koa wood doors permits the beach house to be almost completely opened to the trade winds and the environment, including the smells and sounds of tropical blossoms, sea birds, and the ocean.
Tahitian Pavillion Spa
The Tahitian Pavilion, Left, on a surf spot. Coral reefs make for fantastic snorkeling. The sandy cove is just South with Alaeloa farther down the line…
“Broad, covered lanai are important living and entertaining areas; landscaped gardens and water features sometimes enter buildings; cool natural materials—flagstone, marble, granite or tile—cover floors and decks. These “Hawaiian” features are seen in many of the multimillion-dollar residences build during the “roaring ‘80s” in exclusive neighborhoods.”
Julie Metha explains what is included in the book: “We chose buildings that represent the architecture prevalent in a particular period, architecture that has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects for its design merit; buildings designed by noted local and international architects; and structures that have achieved landmark status.”
Architecture in Hawaii; A Chronologial Survey. By Rob Sandler and Julie Metha, 2008.
Architecture in Hawaii page on The Tahitian Pavilion
The home next door was built at the same time:
The author of this blog diligently testing out the waters directly in front of the Tahitian Pavilion, March 2018
More about the neighborhood:
Why Magic Johnson Was Wrong About Papaua Place in Napili, Maui, Hawaii
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