Evan Fujimoto, president of Graham Builders, recalls an experience that points to the “power of architecture” and the impact it can have on local families. In the 1990s, a Kaneohe ohana on a modest budget and with a challenging project site hired Graham Builders. The work required building on a downslope from a roadway, with a steep hill in the back, and the homeowners also wanted to keep a sprawling monkeypod tree with a 90-foot canopy on their property.
“When the design concept was presented, the daughter unabashedly commented that it looked like a ‘mainland’ house due to its angularity — the house ‘wraps’ around the tree — window placements and low shed roof design,” says Fujimoto.
With the guidance of Graham Builders, the owners of this Waimanalo residence opted for a beautiful custom home build instead of a renovation. “It worked out really good for us,” says the homeowner. “We’re happy with the design they came up with.”
The family’s requests for the home were relatively simple. The husband wanted a screened-in deck overlooking Kaneohe Bay, where he could relax after work. The wife wanted a large open kitchen. They also asked that each of their children have their own bedrooms. “The couple had expected a simple rectangular layout with a gable roof, which is what they were accustomed to,” notes Fujimoto.
During a visit to the home a few years later, Fujimoto says the husband told him that drivers sometimes stop in front of the house and ask him who designed it. “I tell them all about Graham Builders and how much we love the house,” Fujimoto recalls the husband saying. “You know, we never really thought we deserved a house like this.”
“Reputable builders should know costs for the major phases of work such as foundations/grading, framing, electrical and plumbing, etc.,” says Graham Builders president Evan Fujimoto. The firm keeps a prudent balance when selecting finishes, appliances and more.
Fujimoto says that sparked “a profound realization of the power of architecture to improve lives.”
After 33 years in business, Graham Builders continues to build on its commitment to serve Island homeowners with aloha. Founder Danny Graham established the company in 1990, and since then, Graham Builders has grown to include a hardworking administrative staff and project managers, in-house designers and architects with specialized training, and licensed general contractors and craftsmen. As a team, the folks at Graham Builders say their clients are taken care of during every stage of the building or remodeling process.
“Everyone is focused on elevating the customer experience and treating each home like it is our own,” says Fujimoto. “It takes both expertise and patience to guide homeowners through the process by making suggestions and explaining why some things work well together and others do not.”
Graham Builders excels in universal design principles for safety and accessibility in spaces like bathrooms for aging in place.
“Today, roughly 40% of residential projects are completed through design-build,” says Fujimoto. Each project by Graham Builders is thoughtfully planned by in-house designers and architects, and constructed with a client’s tastes and needs in mind.
He says design-build firms like Graham Builders ensure that construction is done right, that costs — both in time and money — are contained, and that designs meet the criteria set by the owners. Residential design-build firms “help homeowners to ‘build buildable buildings,’ meaning homes that incorporate as many features as possible into a realistic square footage for the established budget,” notes Fujimoto.
Graham Builders is one of the pioneers when it comes to designing and building multigenerational homes in Hawaii. Its certified aging-in-place specialists have made the company a go-to for homeowners requiring builds or renovations that accommodate universal design principles of safety and accessibility.
Keeping up with the latest trends in finishes and materials, while building with timeless principles and quality, is at the heart of Graham Builders’ work.
Adding modern touches elevates universally designed spaces. Dark tones in shower fixtures and flooring provide a creative contrast in this Graham Builders project.
“The company continues to develop new design ideas and strategies to help families live comfortably together,” explains Fujimoto.
Graham Builders offers a free monthly “Building Your Home for Life” seminar, which explains the design-build process and provides effective tips for homeowners when taking on construction projects. For more information on the seminar, and to contact Graham Builders for your next project, call (808) 593-2808 or visit grahambuilders.com.