You have expressed a passion for building in harmony with the vernacular. How did you apply this to the beach house retreat you created in Maui, Hawaii?
We drew on the concept of a surfing hut for three connected lodge-like buildings—the sleeping areas, main living quarters, and guest suites—which follow the topography in a gentle curve. The structure blends in with its surroundings thanks to rammed earth walls that are a mixture of local soil and concrete, and we roofed the huts with corrugated iron, taking inspiration from traditional Hawaii homes that help with natural ventilation on a site with virtually constant winds. The window walls of the central hut swing up on two sides, opening fully to the landscaped hillside, and pool and ocean views, and the ipe decking and screened walkways connecting the huts almost double the livable area of the home.