go with the flow

 

we have a last minute visitor tomorrow so i am in a tizzy tidying up our nest to make everything pretty as can be when our landlord's appraiser walks through our door. while i slip on my best martha stewart impression, enjoy a peek of a fun print designed by california illustrator mark giglio who took inspiration from architect craig steely's lava flow 2 house built on the big island.

the print is one from an artist series to commemorate dwell's tenth anniversary.

limited edition. 100 available. price tag $125. find them in the dwell shop while they last!

ohanapod getaway

while waiting at my acupuncturist's office yesterday, i had a moment to flip through the summer issue of readymade and chanced upon architect craig steely's latest creation - the ohanapod, a modern guest cottage getaway located a few steps away from the main residence built on the big island's lava fields (thus the name lavaflow 2).

the family splits their time between sf and hawaii so the main components were fabricated in california and shipped over for assembly. friends were wooed to the island to help complete the partial pre-fab design which was constructed in three and a half weeks with volunteer labor (my kind of peeps!). jalousies received a modern makeover and the main design element plays on the ubiquitous window treatment with galvanized steel which both shields the structure while allowing the tradewinds to circulate. a few colorful plexi panels were added for peeks outside and to bring in a little sunshine.

the space measures a mere 144 square feet which is just enough room to keep friends and family comfortable without sacrificing too much land. and, wouldn't the ohanapod make a fab office or studio in between house guests?

the ohanapod, alas, is reserved for friends of the steely 'ohana but you can spend your big island getaway at two other projects commissioned nearby - hale balleja and the monkeypod treehouse which are both located on the puna coast.

p.s. a quick tutorial on making the plexi louvers is shared online as well as a step-by-step gallery of the ohanapod's three week build.

{photo credit: john granen for readymade}

monkeypod treehouse

the big island seems to have become a haven for fans of modern architecture. case in point, the fabulous monkeypod treehouse located in the puna district. if you're seeking privacy, this looks like a wonderful and luxurious retreat stocked with modern furnishings and features a screened living room, 500 foot deck & an outdoor shower.

if space is an issue, there are 2 master bedrooms so there is plenty of room to invite family or friends to join you on your island getaway. and, after a day spent exploring the nearby beaches and lava fields, your body will appreciate the memory foam beds and 500 thread count sheets when slumberland comes a calling.

rates range from $125 a night in the low season to $175 during the holidays.

modern tropical getaway

big island home searching for nice modernists dreaming of spending their island getaway somewhere with good lines and thoughtful design during their next trip to hawaii. well, at least that's how i think it would sound if there was such a thing as architecture/design junkie matchmaking ads.

summer may be coming to an end but if you're planning a trip during the popular winter season it's time to get your vacation plans in order. we all know a nice place to stay can be hard to find so why not ditch the questionable attempts at hawaiian design that are so prevalent in the hit or miss world of vacation rentals?

spend a few nights at hale balleja, a modern vacation rental designed by architect craig steely, and discover if you are the modern type. even if it ends up not being your thing, you'll get to enjoy an ocean view without paying resort prices or surrounded by a stranger's outdated notion of island decor.

modern island style

lavaflow 1

living on a lava field may not be most people's idea of the oft repeated real estate maxim "location, location, location" but if you love modern architecture you'll certainly admire the work of architect craig steely. i first learned about craig when his big island home was featured in dwell a few years back and it's wonderful to know that there are folks working to bring modern design to hawaii.

now if only someone would create affordable modernist prefab housing for the islands.