Building an architect’s dream

It was an older home built in the 1970s, a typical single-wall, low-pitched house with a wide-hipped roof and a carport in front, common throughout Hawaii.

It had been in his wife’s family for more than 40 years, but as a commercial architect, he knew it was time to create a larger residence that could accommodate himself, his wife, child and his aging mother-in-law. He dreamed of a modern, sleek exterior for his home and an interior that was equally special with custom fixtures and features.

“We first discovered Graham Builders when we visited their booth at a home remodeling trade show,” the homeowner remembers. “We thought they were best suited to execute our vision for a sustainable, multigeneration, custom-built home.”

In his first meetings with Graham Builders, the homeowner explained his objectives for the project. His primary goal was to retain much of the existing home, incorporating it into the design and construction of a larger single-story residence. His ohana needed more living and storage space, and the suite for his mother-in-law required modifications that would allow her to gracefully age in place.

The Graham Builders team created a spectacular home for the family, adding roughly 800 square feet of new living space, and remodeling the original three-bedroom, two-bath structure. The new home sprawls over 2,100 square feet, and boasts a gorgeous added master suite and three-and-a-half bathrooms; a dream kitchen with two refrigerators, an induction cooktop and a combi-steam oven; and an attic with plenty of storage space.

The team also created a safe and pleasant space for the homeowner’s mother-in-law, widening doorways, adding grab bars and brightening her room by replacing a pair of windows with French doors.

Several breathtaking custom features — including a bar area with waterfall counter, the banquette built with reclaimed Douglas fir beams from the carport roof and a concrete vanity resembling a Japanese torii gate — made the project truly unique and special.

“We were thrilled to see our vision that was years in the making finally come to fruition with the help of Graham Builders,” says the homeowner. “We are very satisfied living in our new home.”

As Hawaii’s baby boomers age, so, too, do the homes that once held their young families. Between 2010 and 2016, the number of island residents age 65 and older grew by 25%. The Graham Builders team, with more than 30 years of experience designing and building homes for Hawaii’s multigenerational families, has demonstrated expertise in the creation of safe and comfortable spaces for kupuna.

The first design-build firm in Hawaii to have a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist on staff, Graham Builders now has three CAPS consultants on its team, all who can help you make mobility and safety changes to your home. You are invited to register for Graham Builders’ free “Building Your Home for Life” seminar, scheduled for Saturday, May 1, at grahambuilders.com/seminar, or call 808-593-2808.

GRAHAM BUILDERS
CONTACT 808-593-2808
ADDRESS 1144 Young St., Honolulu
WEB grahambuilders.com