An ode to ‘The Garden Isle’ of Hawaii
Located on Kauai, ‘The Garden Isle’ of Hawaii, the Kalihiwai Pavilion is the latest architectural addition to a 14-acre coastal property, perched on a scenic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains. It was designed by the Walker Warner Architects Design Team, San Francisco.
The multi-purpose pavilion in the lush Hawaiian landscape was designed to be a flexible gathering space where the homeowners, who frequently entertain visiting guests, can host a variety of private gatherings from family get-togethers to community events for up to 400 people.
Responding to the elemental beauty of the setting, the design team met the challenge of creating such a highly adaptable, expansive-feeling, yet human-scaled space, by creating a structure emphasising transparency and connection to the outdoors to capture the island’s dramatic natural surroundings.
There really was a challenge of how to create a space that’s comfortable enough for four, but can accommodate four hundred.
Greg Warner, Principal, WWA, on designing the Kalihiwai Pavilion
The design took full advantage of Hawaii’s ocean breezes due to large sliding doors in the main living areas, while a lanai provides access to the elements while remaining sheltered from the sun. An enduring material palette of hardwoods and limestone in natural finishes and earthy tones was selected to withstand harsh exposure to tropical rains, wind and sun. Separate entrances provide dual uses for the property: a more intimate scale for smaller gatherings and a large breezeway entrance with direct access to the lawn for larger gatherings.
For this modern pavilion, the architects utilized the spectacular setting to give the building the appearance of feeling grounded to the land while appearing like a floating beacon from afar.
