Address
3196 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
TMK
310350020002
SHPD Historic Site Number
N/A
Abstract
Construction of the Joseph and Joan Farrell Residence commenced in 1978 and was completed in 1984. The house was designed by owner Joseph Farrell who was among the preeminent architects in Hawai‘i to work in the Brutalist style. The house, integrated into the side of Diamond Head, is a bold and meticulous example of Tropical Brutalism which integrates verdant foliage, natural ventilation and a greater sense of openness into the Brutalist model known for its use of unpainted, bare concrete; angular, rigid geometric shapes and often heavy, bulky presence. The five-story house sits on poured in place, concrete cylinders, which extend from the bedrock of Diamond Head to the top story of the house. The dwelling transcends the ordinary by being built “upside down,” with its primary public living space and kitchen at the top and the more private bedroom and office spaces below. To further accentuate its uniqueness, rooms are articulated in various geometric shapes, including equilateral, isosceles and right triangles, circles, rectangles and a hexagonal lozenge, with each floor offering distinctive spatial experiences. The house exudes a high level of craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail.
The nomination is being submitted to the National Park Service for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C as an excellent example of Modern Tropical Brutalist style and Criterion G as a property that has achieved significance within the last 50 years. While nominated to the National Register, it is not yet eligible for the Hawai‘i State Register which requires properties to be 50 years or older.
This list of Hawaii’s historic properties is provided as a public service by Historic Hawaii Foundation. It is not the official list of properties designated on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places. For official designations and determinations of eligibility, contact the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources of the State of Hawaii at 808-692-8015.