“It was very important to the homeowners to make the kitchen as ‘green’ as possible in terms of using environmentally friendly materials,” says Rick Cowan, CKD, whose Studio Becker firm now goes by Archipelago, Refined Island Interiors. “At the same time, they wanted to stay true to the spirit of the house, and keep the kitchen’s warm and comfortable feeling.”

Countertops made from discarded glass and sustainable Spekva wood complement the renewable cork floors. Studio Becker’s formaldehyde-free cabinet lines, constructed under Germany’s emissions restrictions, are tasteful and environmentally forward-thinking.

The homeowners had approached several kitchen designers with very clear ideas about what they wanted. They expressed some initial trepidation with Studio Becker cabinetry because it is better known for crisp, modern lines than for traditional designs. But Cowan, CKD, and former Studio Becker member J.R. Ludlow believed they could modernize the kitchen with contemporary materials while remaining true to its plantation heritage. Both designers were also intrigued with the homeowners’ challenge to “go as green as possible.”

“We hit it off right away,” says Cowan. “I think the homeowners sensed that J.R. and I are very much into the process of collaboration. They have remodeled quite a few homes and are knowledgeable.” Sometimes, the homeowners would take the lead on design ideas and products, sometimes the designers would contribute more. “The homeowners were instrumental in figuring out various products, countertop heights, soffits and other details,” Cowan adds. “This project was very much a real collaboration with the homeowners.”

The countertops became key elements of the ecofriendly redesign. Two options that are gentle on the environment—paper resins and recycled glass with concrete—were not readily available in Hawaii. So, J.R. tracked the latter to the IceStone Co., a New York City firm dedicated to environmentally intelligent design.

IceStone reduces the waste stream by redirecting glass from landfills and using it to create a durable surface material that rivals quarried stone. Located in a former Brooklyn naval shipyard, IceStone uses daylight streaming through rooftop windows to reduce energy demand for electricity in industrial applications. IceStone operates with a rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Cradle to Cradle Certification documents, which signify the company is committed to using materials and manufacturing processes that are environmentally sound. At the end of their useful lives, 75 percent of IceStone materials can be recycled.

The countertops were shipped as large slabs to Honolulu and fabricated here. The effect when installed is one of richness and warmth. From the IceStone samples, a green hue was decided on. “To make the kitchen a little more casual, I introduced the idea of Spevka wood countertops for the island sections,” Cowan says. Wood for a contemporary design adds a bit of warmth and casualness. A hardwood cherry was selected, which was grown and harvested from a sustainable tree farm. It works perfectly with the IceStone.”

New cork floors are another key element in the kitchen’s greenness. “We had cork flooring before,” says the owner. “It’s extremely durable and comfortable on the feet and it’s a very renewable material. With cork you are just taking the bark of the tree, which then re-grows. It’s like giving a tree a haircut instead of chopping down the entire tree. You’re not tearing down a whole forest.”

For the sake of energy efficiency and because she loves to cook, the wife specified gas-burning Wolf products for the cooking surfaces and Sub-Zero for the refrigeration. She also found a foot-pedal device for an island sink, which pumps out a stream of water each time it is depressed. Says Cowan, “The foot lever is a wonderful idea. It makes a lot of sense. You get stuff on your hands all the time when cooking and the pedal means you’re not always turning on and off a faucet. It also saves water, of course. This was the first time I used one in my designs—and I would like to do it again.”

Also installed were a pair of highly efficient dish drawers stacked one atop the other. They wash dishes without wasting electricity because they don’t heat the water to temperatures that are unnecessarily high.

An off-white color scheme for the cabinetry and wall woods complements and contrasts with the Spekva cherry wood. The formerly dark kitchen now seems full of light. “Cowan and J.R. hit the mark with this remodel,” says the owner. “Now we have our plantation kitchen that is just about as green as you can get.”