Hawaii’s rich architectural tradition is both beautiful and functional, so why not bring island-inspired design elements into your new home? From finding the right materials to planning your landscaping, here’s a few things to consider while consulting with your architects and designers.

Bring in Natural Materials

Traditional Hawaiian homes often incorporated a wide variety of natural materials, including native woods like ohia and koa, as well as  bamboo and thatched grass. While it might not be feasible to build your home entirely from these materials, they make beautiful design additions in the form of exposed beams, as part of a lanai or outdoor living structure, and as wall paneling throughout the home. Indigenous natural materials, especially woods and plant-based materials, often bring a sense of warmth and timelessness to an otherwise modern home design.

Blend your Indoor/Outdoor Living Spaces

In addition to maximizing the usable square footage space in your home, creating a seamless blend between indoor and outdoor living spaces is an excellent way to incorporate Hawaii’s beautiful landscape into your design plan. Not only does including a traditional lanai or covered patio space allow inhabitants to enjoy beautiful views regardless of the weather, it can also help reduce energy costs. When paired with an open floor plan and a series of larger windows and doors, indoor/outdoor living spaces can help cool and ventilate your home during warmer months, as well as increasing the amount of natural light in your home. 

Create a Shade Oasis

Hawaiian architecture often features a distinct “double pitch” roof, a variation of the traditional thatch roofing used on the islands for centuries. Also known as “Dickey Roof” after architect Charles Dickey popularized the style in the 1920’s and 30’s, a double pitch roof adds additional stability to your home, an especially useful measure for Hawaii’s annual storm seasons. This style also creates a shade overhang that further reduces the interior temperature of your home by protecting windows and exterior walls from the sun. A final benefit? The additional shade provided by a double pitch roof creates the perfect environment for stress-free landscaping incorporating native plants. 

Maximize the Landscape

A true island-paradise home wouldn’t be complete without the landscaping. Indigenous plants like hibiscus or plumeria are perfect for lending a tropical feel to your gardens, while water features like mad-made ponds and waterfalls attract native birds and butterflies. If you’re considering adding a pool or spa system to your landscaping plan, consider eco-friendly alternatives to chlorine additives, such as copper ionization systems or a mineral-water purification process. 

Trust the Locals 

When looking for the architects, designers, and contractors to build your dream home, it’s important to find professionals familiar not only with Hawaii’s architectural traditions, but the current reality of building codes, permitting, and zoning designations. At Home Planning Hawaii, we help you partner with the best local experts in residential construction to ensure a successful project. Contact us today to get started.