US studio Olson Kundig Architects has utilised a variety of wooden storm shutters and deep roof overhangs for a Hawaiian holiday home called Hale Napo’o.
Hale Napo’o, which translates to Sunset House, is located on the northern coast of Kauai, an island in the Hawaiian archipelago.
The clients desired a family retreat that opened up to the landscape and ushered in breezes from Hanalei Bay.
“The result is a functional island retreat that caters to the family’s casual barefoot lifestyle, while providing a sense of scalability to accommodate both large and intimate gatherings,” said Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects.
The two-storey dwelling consists of rectilinear volumes arranged in a U-shape around a central courtyard.
Topping the home are overhanging roofs lined with corrugated copper.
The roof design is meant to pay homage to a style of hipped roof popularised by local architect CW “Pop” Dickey in the 1920s and 1930s.
The facades consist of glass and horizontal cedar siding.
The home is wrapped in a series of operable wooden screens that are opened and closed in different ways. Some lift up and down, some pivot, and some slide from side to side.
The screens provide storm protection and security. They also allow breezes to flow into the house, negating the need for mechanical air conditioning.
“The home is unconditioned, relying on passive ventilation from the beach winds through a series of operable shutter screens that wrap most of the building facade,” the firm said.
The home is entered through a shutter-style gate, which leads to an open-air corridor lined with tall screens that pivot open and closed.
The ground level holds an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living room. Just off the cooking and dining space is a lanai with views of the water and three prominent mountain peaks – Hihimanu, Namolokama and Mamalahoa.
The communal area is wrapped in screens that lift upward. Wooden flooring extends from the living space to the terrace, helping diminish the distinction between inside and out.
Also found on the ground level are a garage, library and guest bedroom suite. The latter two spaces have sliding screens that enable them to be open to the courtyard.
The upper level encompasses the main bedroom suite, a bunk room and a den. A cantilevering terrace shades the ground-level lanai.
Overall, Hale Napo’o provides a relaxed atmosphere and “blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living”, the team said.
Other Hawaiian homes by Olson Kundig include Hale Lana, a residence composed of five pavilions that are lifted slightly above the ground. The building features glass walls, open walkways and corrugated metal roofing.
The photography is by Aaron Leitz.
