Hawaii ADU: A Wellness Retreat

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In the quiet town on the Island of Oahu, Kailua, a retired couple want to build an additional dwelling unit (ADU) in their backyard. They consider moving into the ADU and rent out the house after the ADU is constructed.

The clients understand how the built environment can significantly influence one’s physical and mental health. They want us to evolve the design based on this aspect. We propose some key strategies when designing the Hawaii ADU:

Biophilic design: to connect to nature from various parts of the building.
Acoustic design: to reduce unwanted sound reverberation and use the sound of flowing water as a sound mask and an aid to meditation and yoga.
Aroma design: to induce therapeutic effects from the sense of smell. Multiple corners and niches are designed to place aroma-generating devices.
Tactile materials: to bring your attention back to the present moment through touching.
Indoor to Outdoor connection: to diminish the feeling of separation.
5-sense design: to open up your senses and craft spatial qualities based on the intended use of each space.

Clients’ interests: Taichi, gardening, yoga, and art works.

The living space and the kitchen of the Hawaii ADU, designed by AT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. — ^{Honed limestone and sandstone tiles, terracotta screen, and the Shou Sugi Ban coffee table are key elements of the tactile design.}

Upon entry to the ADU, you are greeted by honed limestone and sandstone tiles, a terracotta screen system, and a Shou Sugi Ban coffee table, which are materials with fine textures that aspire you to touch them.

The dining space and the kitchen of the Hawaii ADU, designed by AT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. — ^{The wood cladded ceiling extends from interior to exterior, blurring the boundary and allowing light to come in uniformly.}

The biophilic space, living and dining, of the Hawaii ADU, designed by AT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. — ^{Bamboos and ferns surround the Hawaii ADU. They create a “biophilic wall” for residents inside the ADU.}

Bamboos, palms, and ferns surround the Hawaii ADU. They create a “biophilic wall” for residents inside the ADU. The red-hued windows frame the view of the “biophilic wall” in a harmonious contrast. Morning sunlight washes through the clerestory window which is screened by the terracotta louvers.

See some examples and introductions to Biophilic design in this Biophilic kitchen post.

The staircase and the terracotta screen of the Hawaii ADU, designed by AT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. — ^{Open shelves for aroma design in the terracotta screen. The smell changes while you move through the ADU.}

The whole space is saturated with aromas. The smell changes while you move through the ADU. The smells come from particular wood boards, essential oil diffusers on designated shelves, and plants in the yard.

To understand how Aromatherapy works, check out the post Aromatherapy and Meditation.

The activity room of the Hawaii ADU, designed by AT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. The walls are covered by acoustic timberwool panels. A yoga mat, towel, and yoga blocks are on the wooden floor. — ^{We pay special attention to acoustic design in the activity room.}

We pay special attention to acoustic design in the activity room. The walls are covered with acoustical timberwool panels. Ceiling lights are made of acoustical materials as well. The flowing water in the backyard fountain creates a sound mask perfect for meditation, yoga, and art times.

The rear facade of the Hawaii ADU, designed by AT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. — ^{The rear of the Hawaii ADU.}

The ground floor plan of the Hawaii ADU, designed by AT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. — ^{Ground floor plan. Open to east. The site area for the Hawaii ADU is about 70′ x 30′.}

The second floor plan of the Hawaii ADU, designed by AT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. — ^{Second floor plan.}

Design based on each sense is emphasized in certain parts of the Hawaii ADU. The programing of the parts are based on clients’ interests, such as yoga and art works. The parts are combined and intersected three-dimensionally. This process forms the exterior massing of the ADU.

See our previous post: Design A Mindful ADU with 6 Senses.