Crafting 3027 Kalahiki at Kukui‘ula
On Design, Nature, and Craftsmanship with Architect Jon Kegle
K A U A I , H A W A I ‘ I
Homes tell a story. Their architecture is a dance between design and function, artistry and utility, client and architect, and when everything goes right, wow.
The best home designs happen with careful collaboration between the client and the architect. For Kaua‘i architect Jon Kegle and his firm Cogent Designs, the true magic of Kalahiki at Kukui‘ula came about thanks to his collaborative connection with the client which inspired each design iteration.
“Homes are always very personal projects and must work on many levels. Emotional, practical, functional, and aesthetic.”
- Jon Kegle, Architect of 3027 Kalahiki
Lot selection plays into home design. Kalahiki at Kukui‘ula stands on an even, rectangular lot overlooking the ocean panorama. The cool trade winds, views, and climate come together in harmony here. The home is precisely crafted to take full advantage of each element.
Finalizing the vision for the 4,490 sq ft interior and 1,288 sq ft covered lanai evolved in stages as Kegle recalls. The result is a layout that evokes personal, welcoming touches and an unyielding commitment to quality throughout its design.
“There are [design] subtleties to the home that I hope that potential owners and guests appreciate.”
An integral feature of any home is its entry. Architects and clients put a lot of effort into co-creation of entry points. Thoughtfully designed mature landscaping gives way to the entry lanai and beautifully carved, custom-designed mahogany front doors from Albertini. Just inside, the Kalahiki home's private foyer space is a place of warm invitation setting the stage for the great room's big reveal; vaulted beam ceilings with panoramic ocean views, beautiful douglas fir built-ins, and a chef’s kitchen with custom quartz countertops and perfect spacing for high-end appliances.
“The great room is the heart of the living space, blending form and function.”
Wide Albirtini pocket doors to the main lanai and walkway allow for fluid opening into nature, a key element to the home’s indoor-outdoor flow. The main lanai is a natural gathering place extending from the great room, complimented by a retreating bar-height window between the kitchen and the lanai.
Kalahiki translates to “the dawn of a new day, a new beginning”. It’s an apt name for a home greeted both by sunrises and sunsets. In taking full advantage of the south-facing lot Kegle considered not just the ocean, but also the mountain views from the ground floor and second-floor office. Then there's the attention to the trade winds, from the placement of the outdoor kitchen to maximizing how the winds flow through the home.
Kegle affirms that it’s a common design feature in many Hawai‘i homes of any size and scale to allow for seamless movement between indoor spaces and outdoor lanai. In the great room, the pocket doors that open to the main lanai and walkways allow for seamless openings to the outdoors. The large pass-through pocket window in the kitchen also allows for both social activities of indoor cooking and barbeque on the lanai to blend conveniently.
“My opinion of good architecture [in a residential project] is that it is human-scaled and that the spaces can be cozy and intimate.”
If gathering spaces are one mainstay of Kalahiki at Kukui‘ula, privacy is its perfectly balanced counterpoint. The home is masterfully sectioned to make an oasis of the primary suite on the main floor and second-floor office. In harmony with this, the ‘ohana suite is a space of rest and respite for owners and guests.
Many of Kegle’s choices focused on working with what the primary suite offered in terms of views, trade winds, and sun. From there custom details were masterfully added. For example, a vaulted beamed ceiling and expansive closet space in the bedroom, and an oversized wood-mounted tub and stone flooring in the primary bathroom.
There’s a bit of a secret to the second-floor office. Kegle let us in on it. The 360-degree Albertini windows perfectly capture the mountain views towards Kipu, a view that is often overlooked in home design. This space allowed Kegle to take advantage of both the ocean and mountain views.
He is pleased with how the office came together as a place for both focus and relaxation. By expanding the square footage, appointing cherry wood custom cabinetry and a Yamaha surround sound system, and adding space for a couch and chairs, the room blends work and play quite effortlessly.
“The upstairs office is a nice place not only for work but also to hang out.”
Hawai‘i is famous for its hospitality. It takes many forms, often starting with the warm island-style way we welcome guests to our homes.
The second entry point to the home begins at the large two-car garage to the hall door along the ‘ohana suite. As one makes their way towards the great room, they are greeted along the route by tall windows overlooking the meticulously kept garden and private lanai. When Kegle considered how to integrate design elements into these spaces, it felt natural to include artisanal touches to the doors and hallway.
The design details extend past the shared spaces into each room. Each of the three bedrooms is fitted with its own garden lanai to enjoy views of the surrounding nature and the ocean. The keiki (child) room is a thoughtful add for youngsters. The built-in bunks provide space while being close enough to adjoining rooms. The space and design harmonize to enhance the quality of life throughout.
At the inland corner of the home, a thoughtfully designed second office offers views of Mahaulepu Beach and the mountains. From the built-in artisan desk, there are direct southward-facing views of Kaua‘i’s colorful sunrises. Tastefully handcrafted cabinets with roll-out shelves provide sleek functionality.
Kalahiki at Kukui‘ula was custom-crafted to showcase treasures of art and travel. To accomplish this, Kegle tapped into Kaua‘i’s talented pool of local artisans, designers, and woodworkers.
The meticulously kept garden flourishing behind the courtyard’s stone and Shou Sugi Ban wall is a case in point. Local landscape architect Jason Umemoto took charge of bringing it into being. Inspiration came from the client’s world travels, and Umemoto worked collaboratively to integrate and adapt mature landscaping into the uniqueness of the property.
“[Umemoto] did a great job of selecting appropriate plant choices that elevated the built architectural elements we gave him to work within.”
Shou Sugi Ban (yakisugi), a traditional Japanese wood preservation technique, was a natural choice to add depth and warm tones in the hidden garden and main lanai. Through the process, the Japanese cypress becomes hardy against the elements.
Nakamoto Forestry worked with Kegle to source the wood from Portland, Oregon. An amazing variety of colors and textures can be created through the process, and Kegle opted for a lighter variety. The Shou Sugi Ban at Kalahiki is ‘Pika-pika - Linseed-oil Amber’.
“We chose softer honey wine colors to better fit the overall character of the house.”
Woodworker Dean Mayer and Interior Designer Barbara Cameron (Yochi Design) collaborated on the design and crafting of the larger custom pieces throughout the home. The built-in cabinetry at the end wall of the great room and the custom quartz kitchen island were products of the collaboration.
Kaua‘i artisan Peggy Dixon added her expertise with the custom interior finishes. Dixon completed the plasterwork in the primary bath and the ‘ohana suite hallway. She is also the artist who crafted the plaster elements in the entry foyer and ‘ohana suite hallway.
“The craftsmanship throughout the home is top-notch.”
The same meticulous attention to detail went into the home’s exterior. The main lanai blends scale and function with Shou Sugi Ban siding as a warming element. The hidden Hamakua shower nestled behind a stone wall, the heated in-ground pool with ocean views, and the added space on the lawn demonstrate this shared balance in form and function.
The trade winds are welcome at Kalahiki. The home is designed to work with La'amaomao (the Hawaiian wind goddess). The placement of the barbeque area on the windward wall blocks stronger trade winds that might blow along the top of the hill at Kukui‘ula. Kegle integrated a full-height wooden jalousie in the corner nearest the outdoor kitchen to allow for moderation and control of the trade winds for the space.
“We wanted to allow for space for more yard beside the pool, so we chose to have a grass area for lounge chairs rather than hardscape.”
Kalahiki at Kukui‘ula is near to amenities throughout the private Kukui‘ula community. The community is a beautiful collection of neighborhoods rising above the rugged sea cliffs and sunny beaches of South Kaua‘i. Designed for residents and guests as a place to connect with the natural world and embrace the relaxed lifestyle of Kaua‘i, it's the gold standard of living on the island.
A members-only club serves as a meeting point for family and friends. Kukui‘ula offers an 18-hole Tom Weiskopf golf course with a clubhouse and dining at ‘Umeke Kitchen + Bar and Makai Grill + Bar, along with custom outdoor activities, the 32′ Yellowfin boat Māhealani, cultural events, Hi‘ilani Spa + Fitness, tennis courts, pools, and 10 acres of organic produce at The Farm.
Kukui‘ula is perfectly positioned to enjoy the best of South Kaua‘i. Poipu is minutes away, celebrated for its sunny weather and beach lifestyle. It offers gourmet dining and is home to high-end shopping at The Shops at Kukui‘ula. Nearby, Koloa Town, with its enduring authenticity, preserves the legacy of Hawai‘i's sugarcane era and is characterized by its historic charm.
3027 Kalahiki is situated in Kukui‘ula on the South Side of Kauai, Hawai‘i.
3027 Kalahiki at Kukui’ula Features:
Interiors 4,490 sq ft
Covered Lanai Appx 1,288 sq ft
4 Bedrooms
4.5 Baths
Downstairs office
Upstairs office
Tesla Powerwall
Photovoltaic, solar hot water
Central air conditioning
Lutron lighting
Whole-home media and sound systems
Albertini custom windows and doors
Fine quartz countertops
Artisan craftsman features
Architecture Plans:
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Jon Kegle is the founder of Cogent Designs and a prominent architect on Kauai for luxury properties across the island. His approach to architecture is marked by attention to detail and designing beautiful homes that are thoughtfully planned with their surroundings. With an experienced eye for island aesthetics, Kegle's designs are enjoyed for their ability to harmonize modern luxury with the natural beauty of Kauai, making each property a unique reflection of its environment and owner.
Jon Kegle, Cogent Designs
808-652-0015 | jon@cogentd.com