New Abode Replaces Manoa ‘Tear-Down’
When owners of a 49-year-old home in Manoa decided it was time to replace it with a new, larger home, they called on the design/build expertise of Homeworks Construction.
But first, the demolition of the original home on the 8,476-square-foot lot was undertaken by Re-use Hawaii, a company that salvages reusable portions of tear-downs. In this case, much of the lumber that could be salvaged was redwood, a termiteand rot-resistant hardwood.
“The credit the owners received from us, since we normally would have handled the entire demolition, combined with a tax credit made a big dent in the total cost of the project and made it feasible for the clients … one of whom grew up in the house,” said Homeworks project manager Heather Hickox.
“The homeowners were very much involved with the process. They researched products both with us and online. They were very concerned with the natural elements Manoa homes are exposed to — rain and wind being foremost. We dealt with these concerns by installing awning windows to allow air flow without water intrusion and raingutters specially designed with downspouts to channel water away from the house.”
The 3,095-square-foot, two story home features an open floor plan with a great room that includes the main living and dining areas, four bedrooms, four baths, a large kitchen with eat-in counter, a den, family room, office and laundry room.
Hickox commented, “After we framed the whole house, the owners decided to convert what had originally been planned as a 194-square-foot lanai into additional space for a family room.”
Homeworks demonstrated its flexibility by pouring another slab, creating an 18-foot opening in the existing wall, ordering two more windows, and moving the slider out to the newly created wall of the family room.
Homeworks also worked with the client to keep costs within the parameters of their budget, while creating a quality new home with a number of upscale features.
Tile flooring was installed at the entry and in the kitchen, baths and laundry room. Exotic tiger maple laminate flooring was used in all common rooms, exceptions being the bedrooms, which were carpeted, and the office, where two-by-two foot carpet squares were laid.
Luxury features in the master bath include his and hers sinks and vanities on either side of a large walk-in shower with a rain head feature, a standard wall shower and bench seat, plus a sauna built with cedar.
Solar tubes, to admit natural light, were installed over the stairway from the first to the second floor, in the office on the second floor, and in the master bath to provide ventilation as well with an exhaust fan fitting.
“The owners wanted variety in the granite countertops, so even though we were working on a budget we splurged on this detail in the kitchen and baths,” Hickox said. “The granite used for the kitchen counters is Verde Imperial. Typhoon Green was used in the upstairs master bath and wetbar, Madura Gold in the second master bath on the ground floor, and Jaguar in the guest bath. Other special kitchen features include a pot filler on the wall behind the cooktop, built-in appliances, and numerous accessories tailored for the owners.”
Homeworks Construction, which specializes in both new custom homes and remodeling, sponsors a radio program, “The Build New Or ReDo Show,” broadcast Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. on KHVH AM830. Listeners are invited to call in to the host, Homeworks Construction president Jim Byxbee, with their questions. To arrange a visit to the Homeworks Showroom located in the Homeworks Building at 2111 S. Beretania St., call 955-2777. A gallery of award-winning Homeworks homes ranging from budget to luxury can be viewed at www.homeworkshawaii.com.
ADDRESS: 2111 S. BERETANIA ST.
CONTACT: 955-2777
