The
residence was a traditional Kailua Beach plantation-style house built
before World War II. Inside was a spacious kitchen, but one that hadn’t
been remodeled in 25 years. Although well designed for the period, the
kitchen was dark and the salty air of the trade winds had taken a toll
over the years. The appliances and surface finishes were ready for a
change.
“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.”
|
Designer: Rick Cowan, CKD, and J.R. Ludlow, of Archipelago, Refined Island Interiors
Cork Flooring: Wicanders Series 2000 Harmony, from Tri West of Hawaii Inc.
Cabinetry: Studio Becker Collection E and Collection T, from Archipelago, Refined Island Interiors
Counters: Jade stone, from IceStone Co.
Dishwasher: Double dish drawer, with integrated fronts, from Fisher/Paykel
Microwave: Stainless steel convection, from Wolf
Oven: Stainless steel, 30,” single built-in electric, from Wolf
Sink: Stainless steel, 30,” apron front, from Franke
Vent: 1000CFM remote ventilator, from Servco Home & Appliance Showroom
Warming drawer: Stainless steel, 30,” from Wolf
Wine chiller: Under-counter, built-in, classic, from Sub-Zero |
