Page 16 - Hawaii Renovation - Nov 28, 2021

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HAWAII RENOVATION NOVEMBER 28, 2021
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GRAHAM BUILDERS
BY CAROLINE WRIGHT
Remodel or rebuild? It’s a question that occasion- ally confounds homeowners
with older houses whose bones just aren’t “quite right.”
Remodeling involves changing the structure or layout of a home, removing walls or changing the flow or structure of a building. Rebuild, of course, includes demolition of the old house, and design and construc- tion of a new one.
“A good designer can do wonders with an older home, and remodel- ing is often the less expensive op- tion,” says Malia Yee, senior designer for Graham Builders of Honolulu. “Sometimes, though, a home is just too old for a remodel project to meet
code, or the remodel simply cannot accommodate the owners’ needs and wishes. That’s when a rebuild should be carefully considered.”
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
A recent Graham Builders project began with an older home in the Ka- hala neighborhood of Honolulu. The homeowners had a few stated goals for their project, according to Yee.
“They wanted a beautiful, func- tional dream home that would ac- commodate aging in place — a modern, easy-to-maintain home with plenty of amenities,” she says. “The couple also wanted a covered garage, a large covered lanai, and a studio for the wife, who is a stained glass artist.”
Although the couples’ original
home had a great floor plan, Yee explains it was very old and somewhat fragile in places.
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CONTACT 808-593-2808
ADDRESS 1144 Young St., Honolulu WEB grahambuilders.com
“The layout
was good, but
it did not have
the spaces that the homeowners desired, particularly the studio and lanai,” she says. “And we could not modify the existing carport to cre- ate an enclosed garage, because it would no longer meet current build- ing codes if we enclosed it.”
The couple weighed their options, made their decision, and contacted the design/build team at Graham Builders to let them know they were going to rebuild.
ALL IN THE OHANA
Bright, spacious, comfortable and elegant, the new home exceeded the couple’s expectations in every way. The kitchen is modern and spectacularly functional, with stove and sink in close proximity, wide passageways, excellent lighting and plenty of pull cabinets for easy ac- cessibility.
Clever recesses and low open shelving provide ample space to display special pieces. A gorgeous studio with clever custom storage
includes lots of vertical storage for the sheets of stained glass used by the artist; her husband has a small functional office as well. Just out- side, palms sway gently beneath a spacious covered lanai.
“The original house had a base- ment apartment that had been rented,” says Yee. “At first the home- owners weren’t sure if they wanted another rental, but elected to build an ADU just to have the option.”
As it turns out, the couple’s daughter returned to the islands, and they decided to rent the ADU to her.
“The ADU increased the value of their home, certainly,” observes Yee. “Additionally, it will provide a smart, legal way to supplement their in- come if they decide one day to rent it to a non-family member.”
With more than three decades of expertise in designing multigen- erational and aging-in-place homes, Graham Builders is now offering a free Zoom seminar designed just for
extended and multigenerational families.
“Our ‘All In The Ohana’ events also touch on age-and ability- friendly design, because most multigenerational homes antici- pate elder residents with special needs,” Yee says. “Successfully converting a home into a multi- generational residence can be challenging, but the rewards can be absolutely spectacular.”
For more than three decades, Graham Builders has been helping Hawaii’s families make the most of their island homes at every stage of life. Founded in 1990, the Hono- lulu design/build firm remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. The free virtual “All In The Ohana” seminar will take place on Dec. 8 as part of BIA Hawaii’s 2022 BIG Home Building & Remodeling Show Sneak Peek. Register now at grahambuilders.com/seminar, or call 808-593-2808.
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