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Walker Warner Architects’ Hale Nukumoi Residence

Simple and understated, the vein of modernism flowing throughout Walker Warner Architects‘ portfolio of projects dotting the Hawaiian islands represents an intrinsic faith in architecture serving the surrounding landscape.

Situated facing one of Kauai’s most popular beaches, the San Francisco based firm was tasked to efficiently maximize living space and the view while maintaining privacy for its occupants, all the while meeting the requirements of restrictions placed limiting the construction’s allowable square footage. Walker Warner Architects’ Hale Nukumoi residence is a modest architectural presence scaling upward, yet harmoniously so, with a warm orchestration of wood, white cement, and local sand blending into the plane of beach sand underneath and the canopy of trees overhead.

The Hawaiian islands indoor/outdoor lifestyle is exemplified by the home’s airy wall-optional construction, designed to accommodate both large family events and intimate gatherings as desired.

Walker Warner Architects worked with interior designer Stone Interiors to continue the surrounding landscape’s influence within and throughout with a conscientious selection of furnishings chosen to be rearranged, expanded, or reduced similarly to the cabin dwellings of a ocean-faring ship.

The views of Kauai’s shoreline play paramount to the Hale Nukumoi residence design.

A copper mesh rain curtain, designed by lead architect Greg Warner and landscape architect Ron Lutsko, adds a layer of privacy on the park side of the home, while also helping to mitigate run-off rainwater from the roof and acts as a fountain and rain feature.

The influence of yacht interior design is seen throughout the home, perhaps nowhere as evident as the bunkbed quarters, complete with marine cabinet pulls.

Sand, volcanic rock, and trees are expressed by a subdued and sophisticated palette of materials and colors respectful of the geological and cultural history of the islands in relation to the innovations afforded modern architects today – a rarity proving the tenets of modernism can be represented modestly in proportion to the land.

Architect: Walker Warner Architects (Greg Warner and Thomas Clapper)
Interior Designer: Stone Interiors (Stacy Stone)
Landscape Architect: Lutsko Associates (Ron Lutsko)
Builder: R.S. Weir General Contracting
Photography: Matthew Millman

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.