Originally built in the 60s, Kona Village was known as an idyllic vacation destination that embraced the richness of the Hawaiian culture and the natural beauty of the coastline. Guests often came back year after year, creating a community closer to a village than a resort. In 2011, Kona Village suffered major damage from a tsunami and has been closed ever since. We were asked to reimagine Kona Village in a way that would be referential to the casual, Polynesian vibe of the original resort while invigorating the property with a new sense of connection to the land and the Hawaiian culture. Our approach was to create an ambience of “barefoot luxury” embracing simplicity with refined materials and textures. Stand-alone guest hales are carefully sited for maintaining privacy and capturing views. Small clusters of hales are arranged in close proximity so extended family and friends can vacation together. An array of amenities and activities are placed throughout the resort to give each area a unique sense of place and community. A display of historical artifacts and walking tour of ancient Petroglyphs enrich the experience and provide deeper insights into the cultural significance of the land.
Completion 2023
Design Architect: Walker Warner Architects
Principals: Mike McCabe, Greg Warner
Project Management: Chris May, John Lacy, John Pierson, Gloria Kim
Architectural Staff: Chris Ryan, Philip Viana, Larry Raposo, Matthew Yungert, Anjelica Christon, Anja Hämäläinen, Matt Potts
Client: Kennedy Wilson
Resort Operator: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Interiors: NICOLEHOLLIS
Landscape: Vita Planning & Landscape Architecture
Architect of Record: Delawie
Builder: Nordic PCL (primary builder), Ali’i Builders LLC (family hales builder)
Demolition Salvage: Re-use Hawai’i
Renderings: 3dq.studio
Photography: Douglas Friedman
