Hi'ilani

The design of the Hi’ilani House is based on the shape of the hexagon. The choice of the hexagon as a fundamental design element resulted from the orientation of the house site in relation to the natural elements that will provide the building’s energy, water, ventilation, and ocean view.

All of these key elements are oriented at 120 degree angles relative to each other. By implementing this angle into the design, the wind, the rain, the sun, and the view are used to their fullest advantage.

The design features butterfly roofs. The roofs are critical elements in a design where water, solar energy, and ventilation must be collected and used. An inverted roofline was determined to be the best and most cost efficient way to achieve this.

Rainwater flows naturally down the center channels of each roof to be collected at several collection points; no gutters are required. At the same time the butterfly roof will hide solar panels, allowing them to be positioned at optimal angles. Finally, the uplifted edges of the roof create negative air pressure below the eaves that will naturally drive cool air through the building.

A decision was made early in the design process to use SCIP composite concrete technology. With this building system, the walls and the roofs are made of the same material.

SCIP technology is a ‘cradle to cradle’ building method, based on panels made with a core of environmental BASF foam, with wire trusses stitched through them and a 2” x 2” mesh on either side.

Once the panels are connected and erected, a concrete mix is applied to each face. The unified, reinforced concrete skin gives SCIP buildings their strength.

See the Studio RMA SCIP page for more information on SCIP technology.