| oceanic retreat, kaua'i, hawaii ............................................................................................................................................................................................. | |||||||||||
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| steven holl oceanic retreat, kaua'i, hawaii if there is life in ideas, a passion for architecture is renewed in the clarification of these ideas. for what is an architectural concept if not the material and spatial expression of spiritual intentions? the site on the northwest prow of kauai , prone to extremely strong hurricane winds, is on the leading edge of a tectonic pacific ocean plate which has moved across a volcanic hotspot at a constant rate of 3.5 inches per year. concept an imaginary datum, parallel to the horizon, strikes the mass of the concrete house which is then carved out below for the best views and flow of space. like two continents separated by tectonic shift, the imaginary erosion forms two 'L' shaped forms, one a guest house. the stepping in section of the large room in the main house is in increments of 3.5 inches. (one year/one step). roofs of the stained concrete structures are covered in photvoltaic solar panels, which reverse meter into the kauai power grid. the lap pool courtyard terracing is built of volcanic stone from near the site. after the horizontal datum, space is like water; the plan and section contains, drops, embanks and then releases the space down the curvilinear path through the natural gardens finally to the ocean. ---
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 the oceanic retreat courtesy by steven holl architects  the oceanic retreat courtesy by steven holl architects  the oceanic retreat courtesy by steven holl architects |
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