Island House

Located near Koloa and Poipu on Kauai’s sunny south shore, Island House reinterprets traditional Hawaiian indoor-outdoor living through a contemporary architectural lens. Set within an established neighborhood, the property is sheltered by existing basalt rock walls and mature palms, creating a sense of privacy and connection to the tropical landscape.

A simple L-shaped plan defines a protected courtyard and backyard focused on swimming, gathering, and outdoor living. The home’s restrained street presence gives way to open, light-filled interiors, where locally crafted sliding glass doors disappear into wood-paneled walls and a continuous ceiling plane extends seamlessly beyond the building envelope.

Designed for Kauai’s temperate climate, the home relies on passive cooling and natural ventilation rather than conventional heating or air-conditioning. Prevailing trade winds, operable glazing, ceiling fans, and louvered transoms work together to promote airflow, daylight, and a constant connection to the surrounding environment.

Read about it on Dwell