Location: Oahu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States
Size: 5,400 sf
Merit Award
Architects: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects
Located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, this private gallery and studio is a sculptural presence existing within an extraordinary natural setting. Designed to showcase the art outside as well as in, its varied spaces house a contemporary art collection as well as frame spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the iconic volcanic peak of Diamond Head.
The Nature of Place
Rather than replicate the traditional Hawaiian character of the main residence, the new spaces have a modern perspective, following the cues of the clients’ art collection while respecting the nature of the site. The primary gallery carefully frames views of Diamond Head and the ocean through its large apertures, while its orientation on the site and precisely positioned overhangs mitigate the tropical sun. Along the property’s edge of the steep site is the studio, with three levels that step down the slope. The land’s natural terracing offers each level its own private entry. Following the topography, articulated landscape connects the new structure to the existing house.
The Nature of People
The clients desired a gallery that would allow them to enjoy their extensive art collection; they also wished to provide their guests with private accommodations. A glass walkway provides a dramatic transition between the gallery and studio spaces; it protrudes into the gallery space itself to form a floating balcony overlooking the artwork below. On the studio side, the top two levels contain the guest quarters and a home office. The ground-floor level is devoted to an innovative system for art storage that uses pivoting walls for display and storage.
The Nature of Materials
The gallery is a distinctive copper-clad volume with a curving profile and articulated panels. It is contrasted with a linear studio space, defined by bars of concrete, glass and stainless steel. The two components are joined by a structural glass bridge, which floats over an outdoor limestone staircase linking all three levels. The studio’s internal circulation route is also transparent to the outside through its walls of channel glass. On the other side of the gallery, grass-and-lava steps transition between a rough stone retaining wall and a saw-cut lava wall. The ground-floor entrance to the gallery is through a pivoting teak door, which manifests as a sculptural installation.
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects
All images courtesy of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects

Principal
Peter is one of the founding principals of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, which began practice as Bohlin and Powell in 1965. The firm’s success, and the professional recognition it has attained, are in large measure attributable to his design insights and unflagging dedication to setting the highest standards for all design work produced by the firm. His leadership and inspiration have established a culture of thoughtful, thorough design thinking throughout the practice, and he remains keenly interested in both broad conceptual thinking and detail expression, reviewing the development of design and documentation regularly with project teams. In 2010, the American Institute of Architects awarded Peter with the Gold Medal, the highest honor for an individual in the profession.
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