Outdoor Design Strategies

Oahu’s temperate climate and extraordinary beauty often present homeowners with unique opportunities for outdoor living.

But these opportunities are often accompanied by challenges like inclement weather patterns, erosion, sound and privacy issues, among others.

“With careful planning and smart design strategies, many of these challenges can be minimized or eliminated,” says Evan Fujimoto, president of Honolulu design/build firm Graham Builders.

Strategies For weather and erosion

When it comes to outdoor space design, weather is a major consideration for the Graham Builders team.

“Minimizing direct sunlight is critical, but it can be difficult if the best views face the south, southwest, or west,” says Fujimoto. “You can use wide eaves, landscaping, and other shading devices to cast shadows on window walls and minimize sunlight during late afternoons.”

He also advises designing lanais so that they receive breezes that blow across from side-to-side, as opposed to head on, which limits debris and leaves.

In some areas of Oahu, frequent heavy rains can be a concern. “Make sure lanais are sufficiently sloped for drainage,” says Fujimoto, “and extend rooflines on northeast-facing sections to minimize windblown rain. And of course, use durable materials that will weather well over time.”

Coastal erosion is also an issue. With 60-foot shoreline setbacks as a minimum standard, newer homes are provided a generous safety margin for potential future erosion. “It’s a problem if your home is older and closer to the high-water mark,” acknowledges Fujimoto. “Storms and high surf churn up the water, causing erosion.”

As he points out, a number of properties on the North Shore and in Lanikai and Kahala have had seawalls fail and major erosion occur. “In worst-case scenarios, some homeowners will have to rebuild further inland, using up-to-date engineering, to address rising sea levels and high winds.”

Strategies for sound buffering and privacy

Balancing a desire for privacy with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors can be very challenging, especially in Oahu’s more densely populated areas. Sound and light pollution are also issues for urban homeowners who want to expand their living spaces outdoors.

“Landscaping can be particularly useful in any design where the objectives are sound buffering and privacy,” says Fujimoto. “Plants, trees, and hedges are essential, and can be planted strategically to insulate a home from both sunlight and street noise.” He recommends consulting a professional landscape architect with knowledge of native Hawaiian culture and plants.

It’s said that good fences make good neighbors, and that can certainly be true. “Well-designed fences or walls can be integrated into a home’s overall architecture with fantastic results,” says Fujimoto. “Just remember: fences and walls may provide privacy, but they can cut you off from your neighbors and community.”

Founded in 1990, Graham Builders remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. Plan your dream home with Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on Saturday, <<<DATE???>>> from 9-11 a.m. at the Honolulu Country Club. Register at grahambuilders.com or call 808/593-2808.