A winning view from the top

The BIA Renaissance Building and Remodeling Awards, established in 1986, celebrates excellence in design and construction of new and remodeled projects in Hawaii. This showcase recognizes competing categories including New and Remodeled Residential Building, New and Remodeled Commercial Building, Kitchen and Bath, Landscape, Outdoor Living, High Rise Lifestyle Residential, High Rise Lifestyle Commercial, Public Works, Hawaii BuiltGreen™ and Historical.

The 29th annual awards ceremony was held May 28, and 37 entrants from Maui and Oahu represented an exciting year of statewide participation. The entries were judged on creativity, use of materials, environmental and sustainability, functionality, design principles, value, interior space, overall quality and workmanship.

The highlight of the awards ceremony was the recognition of the top four Overall Grand Awards and the Carl Reppun Award. Today’s column will feature the winner of the Overall Grand Award in the Residential Remodel Division. The winner is Green Sand Architecture and Sustainability and Hawaii Renovators for “Hale Pacific Heights Place.”

Opening a 1975 three-story home to include city, ocean, Pauoa Valley and Punchbowl views was a major goal of this renovation and addition. Through the strategic use of decks, covered lanais and glass walls, the flow between the interior and exterior is seamless.

The exterior form of the renovation was conceived as two intersecting rectangular blocks, with lanais of various sizes and shapes hung off these rectangular elements in order to create additional living space. Placement of each window or glazed door was planned to promote an abundance of balanced, natural light and ventilation — while enhancing the sightlines that open and connect to nature, private gardens and stunning city and Punchbowl views.

Karen Nakamura is CEO of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii.