Guided by the words of João Cardozo and the attentive gaze of Joe Fletcher and Mariko Reed, here we showcase a project by Mork-Ulnes Architects that transforms the limitations of a compact space, just a stone's throw from Kailua Bay, into a home connected to the tropical nature of Hawaii.
Completed in 2024, Kailua House is a home for a family of four – Anton and Bonnie Rhee Andryeyev and their two daughters – which reflects a way of life where inside and outside merge without hierarchical distinctions. Located on a plot of land on the Kailua coast, and born from the owners' quest for a new lifestyle and their love of surfing, the home opens up inward, like a peaceful retreat in the middle of a densely populated neighbourhood, centred around a lush private garden and a sparkling swimming pool, while overlooking the Mokulua Islands, reminding us of the area's proximity to Lanikai Beach.

The design, by Mork-Ulnes Architects, is organised into two main volumes. The first is a two-storey space, with the bedrooms being positioned above the large living room. The second is a lanai – a typical element of Hawaiian architecture that connects the house to nature, merging the interior and exterior while providing protection. This volume houses an office, outdoor kitchen, tearoom and outdoor bathroom. The curved ceiling allows sunlight to illuminate the elongated pool, further enhancing the connection between sky and water. The green roof of the lanai, besides integrating the building with the local greenery, acts as natural insulation and reinforces the house's connection with the tropical ecosystem.