Luxurious Portlock Home Designed As A “Celebration Of The Natural Environment”
Lining the coast of the Portlock peninsula are some of Oahu’s largest and most architecturally distinguished oceanfront residences. Unique in its design is a luxury home that has won numerous awards for architect Jeffrey Long AIA of Long & Associates Architects and Interiors and received feature coverage in major national and international publications.
Often referred to as the “Sundial House,” the two story, 8,200 square foot residence is augmented by an additional 2,900 square feet of outdoor covered and uncovered lanai area. The 25,024 square foot property, with 125 linear feet on the ocean, incorporates a heated swimming pool, spa, sport court, and gardens with a stairway to the beach.
The 180 degree view encompasses ocean, mountains, and much of the southeastern coast of Oahu. Across Maunalua Bay, the island’s most famous landmark, Diamond Head, is in full view. Spectacular sunsets are an almost nightly spectacle.
In addition to five bedrooms and five and a half baths, the home includes a den/office, safe room with a kevlar door, tatami room, fully equipped mirrored gymnasium, sauna, gourmet kitchen, family room, and dining room, all surrounding the grand hall and helical stair.
The main living area at the heart of the home doubles as a home theater with a 12 foot roll down screen, projector, and surround sound. State-of-the-art technology enables the owner to view all parts of the home and property on a computer monitor. The secure, contemporary home is designed to take advantage of Hawaii’s natural environment and indoor/outdoor lifestyle.
“Award-winning architect Jeff Long designed the home for an American living in Japan who had originally planned to move to Hawaii, then, due to family circumstances, decided to sell,” said listing Realtor Dolores Bediones of Prudential Locations.
“My client, the current owner, fell in love with the home the first time he saw it and closed the purchase in a record seven days. Now, after six years, he is placing it on the market due to a lifestyle change. It’s a grand, spacious home designed to accommodate a large family or people who enjoy entertaining and hosting guests. It’s like a private resort.”
The structure is unique, incorporating 14 inch thick exterior walls, a steel “I” beam superstructure supporting 20 foot cantilevered lanais, and two story stone monoliths that support curved concrete beams, which in turn support cedar trellis beams and the large, radiating second floor roof. The roof overhangs twenty feet past the west facing glass and, along with the mid-level trellis, shades the interior from the heat of the setting sun.
“This Portlock home began with the desire to create a new and innovative structure that embodied an original style and took full advantage of the magnificence of the ocean-front location,” Long said. “Through the use of clean lines and bold architectural elements, the home emanates contemporary elegance while celebrating cultures and the natural environment. It was built with a celestial alignment, enhancing a basic relationship with nature while providing every modern convenience.
The heliocentric design is based on the ancient practice of tracking the setting sun at the horizon throughout the year. The grand hall acts as a solar calendar. The central axis of the radial plan is aligned with the setting sun at the Spring and Fall Equinoxes and is contained on the southwest by the Winter Solstice sunset and on the northwest by the Summer Solstice sunset. From this central core, the progress of the sunset is tracked throughout the year as the sun travels past four pairs of battered stone monoliths that define the edge of the grand hall and covered lanai beyond. The use of natural light was a priority for the client…skylights admit a stream of illumination into many of the spaces, including the master suite and grand entrance. The home is nearly translucent, built with tall thermal insulating glass exterior windows and pocketing doors that invite blue sky to infuse each room while serving to quiet the sounds of the surf.
“The project was accomplished through the collaborative effort of our Long & Associates team, including project architect Tim Hamilton and our in-house interior designers, along with contractor Dwight Burdick of Dwight D. Burdick Construction.
“In our most recent work, we’ve implemented the LEED Rating System, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, to achieve sustainable, green designs. Although the Portlock project was initiated almost a decade ago, it reflects an awareness of the natural environment with deep overhangs and a high level of insulation to enhance the livability of the home. These are energy-saving techniques and strategies we’ve incorporated in our designs throughout our 30 years in Hawaii.”
Dolores Bediones (R), Prudential Locations, has listed the home at $13,888,000 fee simple and is showing it by appointment.
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