Building In Paradise: An Architect’s Journey From Sketches To Skeletons

FOLLOW ALONG AS AN ARCHITECT NAVIGATES A HAWAIIAN HOMEBUILDING PROJECT THROUGH A LABYRINTH OF OBSTACLES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND APPARITIONS.

Hawaii is a magical, mystical place. Enormous mountains reach into the clouds. Volcanoes spew molten lava. Huge waves roll in from the vast, blue Pacific Ocean. Palm trees sway and the fragrance of plumeria and bougainvillea scent the warm and constant trade winds. It is a land rich in spiritual heritage, both benevolent and not.

When given the chance to design and oversee the construction of an elaborate new house on an idyllic piece of land on the edge of the ocean, how could anyone say no? Architect William Hirsch did not. Thus began this wild ride from initial pencil sketches to a completed oceanfront dream home with plenty of airline miles, bureaucratic snags, contract disputes, dry-land pirates, grisly discoveries, and ghostly encounters. Grab your longboard and join the fun. Surf's up.