The Zen Residence was a renovation and landscaping project for a couple living in the Moanalua region of Oahu. The objective for this project was to create a modern Japanese residence reminiscent of the Zen gardens in Japan.
Photography by David Franzen
To achieve this objective, renovation work included tearing down an interior wall to create an open space plan, letting the living room flow into the kitchen and dining room without any obstructions. The circulation into the bedroom area was turned into a simple loop to create accessibility for all the occupants and the master bedroom was reconfigured to provide ample wardrobe space and sliding doors leading into the Japanese garden oasis. An entry way was added to provide visitors with a visual focal hierarchy from the front elevation.
Photography by David Franzen
The selection of materials was fueled by the theme for this project – a modern Japanese Zen garden. The owner and architect selected warm materials that could be found in nature and durable products/materials were tested to ensure it could withstand the disruption from family pets.
Photography by David Franzen
The exterior koi pond was rehabilitated and landscaping was designed to create a Japanese garden themed oasis and focal feature. Large sliding doors were incorporated into the design to connect the indoors with the outdoor Japanese garden oasis.
Photography by David Franzen
