Ossipoff’s Hawaiian Modernism Shines in the Goodsill House

The Goodsill House is a lovely example of Hawaii’s particular take on mid-century modern architecture. Located in Honolulu, it was built in 1953 by the great champion of Hawaiian Modernism, Vladimir Ossipoff.

The story of the architect is an interesting one. Ossipoff was born in 1907 in Vladivostok, Russia, but due to the upheavals in Russia at the time, his father moved the family to Japan, where the younger Ossipoff spent his youth. After a spell studying architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, the young architect moved to Hawaii. While it was here that he made his name, his Pacific oriented background was what shaped his style.

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The Goodsill Residence Darren Bradley Hawaii modernism patio living daylight
Ossipoff’s principal aim with his houses was to blend the indoors with the outdoors. Of course, this was in keeping with modernist structures, and also quite appropriate in the Hawaiian climate, but it also corresponded with the traditions of both Japanese and Hawaiian architecture.

The effect of these latter two influences is very evident in the Goodsill House. A small pavilion displays the unmistakeable shoji wall (a non-load-bearing wood-framed wall comprising translucent paper), which is so prevalent in Japanese homes.

The Goodsill Residence Darren Bradley Hawaii modernism patio terrace daylight

The Goodsill Residence Darren Bradley Hawaii modernism patio living room

Meanwhile, a long veranda, or (‘lanai’ as it is called in Hawaii) stretches along a half-enclosed courtyard, the cover offering a nice gradual transition from inside to the garden area (incidentally, quite reminiscent of the Emerald Street Residence in New Orleans, which we recently covered).

This Hawaiian modernist style has come to be described as “kama’aina” architecture (kama’aina translates as child of the land and is used in various ways in Hawaiian culture). The key features of the style are wide verandas, wood floors, spacious rooms with high ceilings, and double-pitched roofs. These are also all in evidence in the Goodsill residence. Quite understandable given that Ossipoff was so instrumental in formulating kama’aina style. Do you live in a mid-century or modernist-inspired contemporary house and want to be featured on MidCenturyHome? Contact us: info@midcenturyhome.com

The Goodsill Residence exterior pool daylight
Photos by Darren Bradley

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