HONOLULU– Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF) will host an Open House of a historic home in Wai‘alae–Kāhala on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Marshall & Ruth Goodsill Residence is significant as an excellent example of an early 1950s house designed by architect Vladimir Ossipoff. Rendered in a modern Hawaiian style, this house was one of a number of fashionable residences designed by Ossipoff in the 1950s, which established his reputation as the premier architect of the period in Honolulu.
The house is immaculately detailed in a very clean, straight-line design. The presence of Japanese elements reflects the architect’s early years in Japan, as well as the larger cultural milieu of Hawaii that embodies the belief that the islands are the “Crossroads of the Pacific,” where East meets West in a harmonious manner.
Other houses of the period designed by this superb architect include: the LeRoy Bush residence on Tantalus, E. J. Greaney residence near Diamond Head, the Liljestrand residence on Tantalus and the Linus Pauling residence.
In addition to many splendid modern Hawaiian style homes, Ossipoff also designed the Pacific Club (1960), the Outrigger Canoe Club (1963), the Thurston Memorial Chapel on the Punahou School campus (1966), Bachman Hall on the University of Hawaii campus (1949), and the Liberty, now American Savings, Bank (1952) at the corner of King and Smith streets in Honolulu’s Chinatown Historic District.
On April 5th, docents will provide information on the significant architectural elements of the Goodsill Residence. Guests are invited to tour the home and enjoy refreshments afterward.
“The open house provides an opportunity to discover masterpieces of Hawai‘i’s architectural history,” said Kiersten Faulkner, executive director of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. “The casual event encourages social engagement in a historic setting.”
The Historic Open House is part of an occasional series offered by Historic Hawai‘i Foundation to showcase the historic architecture, landscapes and cultural sites that comprise the historic fabric of the Islands. Proceeds from the event benefit the programs and services of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.
Tickets are $25 for HHF Members and $50 for General Admission. Tickets are required and may be purchased online at www.HHF2014Goodsillopenhouse.eventbrite.com. The event location and parking information will be provided upon ticket purchase. Questions about the event may be directed to Historic Hawai‘i Foundation at 523-2900 or outreach@historichawaii.org.
Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF) is a statewide non-profit organization that encourages the preservation of historic buildings, sites, communities and objects relating to the history of Hawai‘i. Founded in 1974, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation has become the driving force behind historic preservation in the state through its core programs of developing a community ethic of historic preservation, supporting smart legislation, and providing technical assistance to make preservation accessible. www.historichawaii.org