Hawaiian Modern: The Architecture of Vladimir Ossipoff

by Karla Britton (Editor), Kenneth Frampton (Foreword), Dean Sakamoto (Editor)

At the forefront of the postwar phenomenon known as tropical modernism, Vladimir Ossipoff (1907–1998) won recognition as the “master of Hawaiian architecture.” Although he practiced at a time of rapid growth and social change in Hawaii, Ossipoff criticized large-scale development and advocated environmentally sensitive designs, developing a distinctive form of architecture appropriate to the lush topography, light, and microclimates of the Hawaiian islands.

 

This book is the first to focus on Ossipoff’s career, presenting significant new material on the architect and situating him within the tropical modernist movement and the cultural context of the Pacific region. The authors discuss how Ossipoff synthesized Eastern and Western influences, including Japanese building techniques and modern architectural principles. In particular, they demonstrate that he drew inspiration from the interplay of indoor and outdoor space as advocated by such architects as Frank Lloyd Wright, applying these to the concerns and vernacular traditions of the tropics. The result was a vibrant and glamorous architectural style, captured vividly in archival images and new photography.

 

As the corporate projects and private residences that Ossipoff created for such clients as IBM, Punahou School, Linus Pauling, Jr., and Clare Boothe Luce surpass their fiftieth anniversaries, critical assessment of these structures, offered here by distinguished scholars in the field, will illuminate Ossipoff’s contribution to the universal challenge of making architecture that is delightfully particular to its place and durable over time.

Genres: Architecture

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 7, 2008

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was an expo in Frankfurt in 2009. would have been better in the Vitra Museum, but oh well...

The book is expensive but worth reading for all aficionados of underrated modernist's, but not brutalist's architecture. Ossipoff incorporated the Japanese Zen kind of back to the basics minimalism with Hawaiian Lanais(lanai being an indoor roof covered space that is enclosed and weather protected) Ossipoff's Honolulu airport building was my first glance back in the days.

Slowly Ossipoff is being recognized outside the pacific room, for what he was: a true Visionary. He finally needs to be named along side other great ones like Eileen Grey, Walter Gropius, Frank Lloyd Wright, le Corbusier or today's Kotaro Ide from ARTechnic architects in Japan.

What elevates Ossipoff from many, especially brutalist architects, is his humbleness and respect towards "Hawai'i" ("Ha" means breath, or breath of life. "Wai" means fresh water and for some adepts Mana or life force. And "I" means supreme.)

Ossipoff lived that thoroughly with his architecture by NEVER planing, designing and/or installing artificial air conditioning systems, until very late in his life, where he allowed a few to install AC in their bedrooms... His very spiritual Hawaiian vision that even in a house/Lanai, the the Ha needs to flow through the house is breathtaking! Yes that WAS indeed intentional ;-))

So "I live in the supreme Mana that rides on life's breath" might have been his Mantra...

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

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