Location: Maui, Hawaii

Interior Designer: Philpotts Interiors

Architect: Dan Dzakowick

Photographer: Travis Rowan

At its heart, this vacation house is about creating a sanctuary where a multigenerational family can share experiences and create memories. Overlooking Maui’s southern shore with views to ocean, mountain landscapes and other nearby islands, this home was designed to experience nature and support active lifestyles.

The home’s architecture is both contemporary and casual befitting its coastal neighbourhood, intended family use and a less is better approach that results in minimalist aesthetic and restraint. A strong connection with nature and liveability drives the arrangement of Coral House’s main gathering spaces. 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. They allow for an open plan with kitchen, dining and living areas integrated into a single casual space that uses a unified language of material finishes and detailing.

The home’s flat roofs are tiered for scale and designed with large eave overhangs protecting the lanai spaces and interiors from sun and rain. Second-story living spaces are set back from the ocean side of the home due to development requirements, and a green roof provides these spaces with an upper garden and ocean views. Photovoltaic solar panels on the upper roof are hidden from view below. Exterior walls are designed with durable materials such as coral stone walls, aluminium brise-soleil screens providing shade and privacy from the street and side neighbours.

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 success of the design results from a cohesive and contextual architectural concept. The design has a sense of belonging to the site and the larger context of the island and the Polynesia region. The architectural vision is one of tropical modern inspired from Japanese craftsmanship and a sense of restraint. The interior and exterior spaces are merged enabling the inhabitants to experience amidst the luxurious tropical climate. The furnishings and artworks support the larger architectural vision.