Things are getting off to an exciting start. We’ve broken ground on several exciting projects and have several more on the drawing board. For those of you who are not aware we are now designing homes from the ground up. Last year we completed the first gold certified green home in Hawaii with Mokulua High Performance Builders. This is such an exciting path for us.
Archipelago Hawaii is a full service interior design firm. We believe in the team approach to design. Bringing together designer, architect/engineer, contractor, landscape architect, lighting designer, AV Specialist, pool designer and any other necessary experts to create the ultimate team for each project; from ground up home design to large remodels, or kitchen and bath design. The team approach allows the client to get the very best design and a project that is cohesive and seamless from start to finish. The team approach also works to value engineer a project during the design phase, giving each client the best design possible while being mindful of their budget parameters. As the contractor is a part of the design team they are intimately familiar with the project before they even break ground, which allows the building process to go smoother without unnecessary delays. Once the project is complete we are then able to bring our interior ‘decorating’ experience into play and can offer window treatments, furnishings, artwork, bedding, linens and accessories. This allows the client to have a cohesive design experience from start to finish.
If you’re considering a remodel or designing a new home please give us a call. We’d love to share our expertise with you and show you how enjoyable the process can be.
Tiare Noelani Cowan
10-31-2011
Archipelago Hawaii Team
L-R: Roseann Bronston, Tiare Noelani Cowan and Laurent Chouari
10-31-2011
Archipelago Hawaii offices will be closed on Friday, November 11th in observance of Veteran's Day.
10-6-2011
7-20-2011
Open House
Hawaii's First National Green Building Standards (NGBS) Gold Certified Home
Saturday, July 30th 10-3
12-23-2010
Design/Build
Today you read and hear about design/build and it probably leaves you with more questions than answers. What is design build and what separates Archipelago Hawaii and Mokulua Woodworking's design/build concept.
The basic concept of design build are:
A) Hire an architect for design and then put the project out to bid: Great design, but 90% of the time the budgets are way over and the house has to be redesigned to fit the budget. This wastes a lot of time and requires the homeowner to make concessions before construction even begins.
B) Hire a builder with in house "design"; The design is almost always utilitarian and does not give the homeowner a great home design. While the budget goals are met, few clients end the project in love with their home.
C) Owner/Builder- Great option but requires the homeowner to spend a LOT of time managing their Project. They still have to go through design as in option 1 but do not typically have the knowledge on how much construction should cost. This also takes longer than a build with a GC.
The goal of the Archipelago Hawaii and Mokulua Woodworking design/build model has been to combine all the good parts of the above options and give our clients all the resources to love the house they live in while maintaining their budget. They get the great designs in option 1 without lengthy bid and redesign time, a home delivered on budget without getting a box and get the control of #3 without the headaches of managing their own project. As separate companies we work together to design a home which fits the daily lives of our clients and maximizing their budget to make sure they can afford what has been designed. As a team, the 3 of us work together from the inception of the project to set reasonable expectations for design, construction time lines, and construction budgets. When a client knows how much each detail costs, THEY get to make educated decisions at every point of their project.
For more information about Design/Build or to schedule a consultation with Archipelago Hawaii and/or Mokulua Woodworking call 263-8891 or email info@archipelagohawaii.com.
5-5-2010
Award-winning firms Archipelago Hawaii and Mokulua Woodworking added to their already stunning
list of industry awards last night at the BIA Renaissance Awards Banquet. The Carl Reppun award
recognizes excellence in construction by a small residential builder and was awarded to Mokulua
Woodworking for their sustainable project, “A Modern Beachfront Estate” in Kailua, Oahu.
Archipelago Hawaii won two awards one in the kitchen & bath division and the other
in the new residential divisions for projects “Urban Edge” and “The Bay House.”
Archipelago Hawaii has won a BIA Renaissance award every year since the company opened and
won multiple awards for the third year in a row by matching tasteful, elegant design with functionality.
This is MokuluaWoodworking’s second award for building excellence in as many years in
recognition of their client friendly, sustainable construction process. This process starts in design
to help the client’s needs, budget and lifestyle to create a home which lives in harmony with the aina.
Archipelago Hawaii and Mokulua Woodworking’s design build team has pioneered a way to
design and build homes, which match the design and build needs of projects ranging from kitchen
remodels to new construction. This collaboration creates an environment which maximizes the
budget and design of every project they complete.
Below Archipelago's Urban Edge
3-15-2010
Archipelago Hawaii, refined island designs is the 2008/2009 Regional Sub-Zero/Wolf award winner.
12-17-09
Award-winning firms Archipelago Hawaii and Mokulua Woodworking are combining their expertise in design
and construction to offer clients a one stop resource for their home remodeling and new construction projects.
Homeowners will receive exceptional design services for their kitchens, baths, interiors and new construction
combined with meticulous project management and quality craftsmanship to ensure every detail is
planned and executed.
Both Archipelago Hawaii and Mokulua Woodworking believe a new home or remodel relies on a solid foundation
which is achieved by a comprehensive collaboration between the design team and the contracting firm.
Balancing budget, design, construction, and material costs simultaneously ensures a seamless home building project.
Both firms advocate environmentally conscience design and building practices and are purveyors of sustainable,
reclaimed and recycled construction materials.
Spearheading the group are award-winning designers Rick and Tiare Cowan, brother and sister, of
Archipelago Hawaii, refined island designs and Michael Fairall, owner of Mokulua Woodworking Ltd.,
certified green professional by the NAHB and USGBC.
Archipelago Hawaii will relocate their office to Kailua next door to Mokulua Woodworking, to better facilitate
and enhance this collaborative effort. The offices and future design center are located at
201 Kapaa Quarry Rd Bldg 25 Units G & H Kailua, HI 96734. For more information contact
