“It is a house that has many layers of design.” Dr. Raymond Lagger is not exaggerating when he describes Hale Pau Hana, his former home and “brain child” for many years, located in the Mauna Kea Resort. Dr. Lagger, an architect by hobby, invested meticulous thought and design into the award-winning property, which now can be yours when it sells to the highest bidder on May 20th, 2017.
CRAFTING THE VISION
Dr. Lagger purchased the property in 1984, but mused over his designs for seven years before perfecting his plan. Construction didn’t begin until 1991 and ended in 1993. He spent that time masterfully planning how to seamlessly blend the structure with nature to create an unparalleled indoor/outdoor home.
When contemplating how to design the home, Dr. Lagger structured his vision around one guiding principle: “What does the perfect day look like? How does it look? Feel? Smell?”
THE HOUSE OF NO WORK
Dr. Lagger named the home “Hale Pau Hana,” which translates to the “House of No Work,” and it is his vision of a perfect day.
Dr. Lagger maps out his vision of a perfect day at Hale Pau Hana, “Your day begins when you wake up in the master pavilion, with simultaneous views of the ocean and five tallest mountains on the island. When you step out to the terrace for breakfast, you can see the ocean wrapping around.
“At lunch, you swim up on submerged barstools. You spend the afternoon on the south sun terrace. There is a lanai deck down by the pool when you are ready for a cocktail.
“When dinner begins, everyone at the dining table has a view of something beautiful, whether it’s the garden, ocean, or a waterfall. At night, you can float in the pool and see the stars and the moon coming across the ocean.
“No matter what you do, where you are, or time of day, there is something special,” Dr. Lagger explains.
DESIGNED FOR ROYALTY
As a keen student of Hawaiian history and culture, Dr. Lagger took historical inspiration and designed the home in the manner of ancient houses built for Hawaiian royalty. The ancient royal houses would have included a guest house, an eating house, and a sleeping house for the chief. Dr. Lagger’s layout follows that strict definition. Designed in the Kauhale style, the home includes main, master, and guest pavilions.
In addition to its royal design, the unique location of the house offers a view that is also rich in Hawaiian history.
Designed to engage the senses, the home forces you to interact with your environment. “There are no interior hallways,” Dr. Lagger explains. “You have to go from room to room by covered breezeways that connect the buildings, and you have to engage the gardens as you move through the house.”
“It is a very sensual house,” he goes on. “It was designed as a feast for the senses. No matter where you stand, you see something beautiful in the scenery. You are constantly engaged in the outdoors. You are moving from one space to another seamlessly; indoors to outdoors.”
A lot of the design cannot be seen, such as with the wind engineering. Dr. Lagger says the home is naturally cooled by the winds and does not require air conditioning. He placed the sliding doors at right angles to the wind, so you can open the doors without fear of the winds blowing into the home.
ACCOLADES OF HALE PAU HANA
Hale Pau Hana appeared in Architectural Digest in January 1997, in the issue entitled "Fantasy Homes from around the World." The home won Best Residential Design from the AIA for the state of Hawaii the same year and went on to win a juried competition by the National Homebuilders Association, called The Best in American Living, taking home the platinum award (a national grand prize) for contemporary architecture between 4,500sf and 7,000sf.
MAUNA KEA RESORT
Mauna Kea was Kohala Coast’s first luxury resort property and has defined Hawaiian luxury living ever since. Developed by Laurance S. Rockefeller in the mid 1960s, residents enjoy unlimited access to two of the world’s best white sand beaches, Kauna'oa and Hapuna, as well as two world-class golf courses: the legendary Mauna Kea Golf Course with its world-famous 3rd hole, and Hapuna Golf Course, which offers a remarkable coastline view from the 12th hole.
SELLING TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER
When asked why the new owner is going to love Hale Pau Hana, Dr. Lagger is quick to respond. “The feeling when you walk in the door, it takes your breath away,” he explains. “It embodies what life in Hawaii is supposed to be: close contact with nature and beautiful geography no matter where you turn your head. Hale Pau Hana takes the concept of indoor/outdoor living to its absolute maximum extreme.”
And on May 20th, Hale Pau Hana could be yours when it sells to the highest bidder, without reserve.
62-3916 Lanikeha Place will sell to the highest bidder in cooperation with Jim Allison and Kathrin Kohler of Mauna Kea Realty via our Concierge Auctions Mobile App on May 20th. To learn more about this opportunity or to schedule an appointment to view the property, call Hannah Schuessler at +1 212.257.5641.