Architecture Shines in This Maui Masterpiece

A multigenerational Maui sanctuary designed by de Reus Architects shines as this year’s AIA Honolulu Editor’s Choice Award winner. With smart sustainable features, precise craftsmanship and progressive architecture, Coral House pushes the possibilities of contemporary Island living, inside and out.

“Coral House was designed for a family of active lifestyles,” says architect Mark de Reus, founding partner of his namesake firm. “Our approach is experience-based design, so our thoughts were initially directed to explore how the husband [and] wife would want to live in the home, then to understand how the family members would fit in.”

The project scope was developed in close collaboration with the homeowners and their ohana over several months of reviews and approvals. A “less is better” aesthetic desired by the owners set the tone for a residence that embodies minimalism and restraint, with erudite nuances that embrace the Valley Isle’s priceless beauty.

A covered lanai provides a seamless transition between indoor living and dining spaces to the pool.

“The property is blessed with wonderful ocean views, and there were neighborhood design guidelines that allowed a wide range of architectural styles,” says de Reus. “There was a requirement for a large second-story setback from the ocean side of the building envelope.”

Built by Colt Construction, Coral House has exterior walls made from durable materials, including coral stone and aluminum brise soleil screens. Its main gathering spaces underscore a strong connection to nature — strategically designed open layouts take advantage of refreshing tradewinds for natural ventilation, and expansive pocket doors allow for seamless indoor-outdoor living year-round. A covered lanai between the pool and interior living, dining and kitchen spaces is a relaxing spot for the ohana to enjoy.

Flat roofs, coral walls and aluminum brise soleil screens are among the exterior architecture features of Coral House.

“Because of the careful and deliberate design process, the completed home was exactly as intended,” says de Reus. “There are several particular design responses that we feel were great solutions for idiosyncratic circumstances with the site. The location is more compressed than many of the sites that we work with, so direct connection to the land and effective privacy from the adjacent properties were greater challenges than normal. Height restrictions prompted us to employ flat roofs to achieve a gracious scale to the interior spaces and allowed us to diminish the visibility of the roof-mounted photovoltaic solar panels.”

According to de Reus, Coral House was the first home in the state to utilize three-phase power with its solar PV panels and battery backup. This arrangement provides a strong, steady stream of power that mitigates reliance on the electrical grid and can run even when the grid is unstable.

Coral House spaces were designed with accents and colors that underscore a strong connection to nature’s elements.

Sustainable energy is just one of several environmentally conscious features that earned Coral House its LEED Silver certification. Its unique “green roof,” for example, has drought-resistant native vegetation for natural cooling, and provides “a garden foreground to the second-story views,” explains de Reus. A stormwater management system helps protect the natural aquifer and locally sourced materials, such as ohia hardwood for the ceilings, were incorporated as much as possible.

Furnishings, accessories and finishings selected by Philpotts Interiors complete the Coral House. The warmth of the Islands is reflected in colors, patterns and textures that fit the coastal neighborhood. Philpotts Interiors navigated the interior design process during the COVID-19 pandemic, deftly pivoting to curate the Coral House spaces amid supply chain issues and limited face-to-face interaction with the client. Despite the challenges, the result is a beautifully customized abode.

Wall coverings and wood carvings hearken back to Hawaiian culture and establish a truly local sense of place.

Philpotts Interiors curated the interior design to include finishings and a backsplash motif that fit the coastal neighborhood.

“Hawaiian culture is reflected in the vocabulary of many of the pieces, such as the leis made from teak in the entry, wall covering and wood carvings which reference Hawaiian kapa cloth,” explains Marion Philpotts-Miller. “A deep blue granite was used on the countertops and backsplash in the kitchen” to match the color of the deep ocean and adding “to the overall drama of the centrally located space.”

Hawaii continues to make its mark in the world of design and architecture. The annual AIA Honolulu Design Awards Gala celebrates the value of design innovation and its positive impact on the Islands, and projects like Coral House highlight the excellent work of talented local professionals. Now, de Reus says it’s important to encourage the advancement of residential architecture.

On a clear day, neighboring islands can be seen across the ocean from Coral House’s coastal locale.

“As real estate and construction prices have escalated, residential construction has increasingly become commoditized,” he says. “The number of architect-designed homes has diminished, and the overall character of communities is becoming more homogenous. The affordability of housing remains a pressing concern, but design excellence should not be sacrificed.

“In our work, we emphasize being specific: to a client, to a site and to a community,” adds de Reus. “That commitment sustains authenticity in a community [and] we hope that the value of unique architecture remains a priority in Hawaii.”

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