Business Details
Your Trusted Honolulu Architect for Modern Island Living
Founded on the belief that a home should harmonize with its environment and reflect the unique story of its inhabitants, Lapis Design Partners has dedicated itself to crafting spaces that embody the spirit of island living. Our approach merges modern architectural principles with the natural beauty and traditions of Hawaii, creating environments that enhance daily life and foster meaningful connections. With decades of combined experience, our team specializes in residential renovations, custom home design, and interior-exterior integration, guided by a philosophy of mindful design and personalized collaboration.We prioritize passive design principles to optimize natural light and airflow, ensuring each project respects both the client's lifestyle and the island's ecological context. Our commitment to excellence has been recognized through industry awards and the trust of clients who return for our thoughtful, innovative solutions.
Services
Home Renovations
New Construction
Color Consultation
Interior Design
Permit Assistance
3D Visualization
Sustainable Design
Space Optimization
Custom Cabinetry
Lighting Design
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in Hawaii's unique architectural landscape
- Our team combines modern design with passive architectural principles
- We provide personalized 3D visualization for client collaboration
- We handle complex Honolulu permitting processes for clients
- Our designs prioritize natural airflow and energy efficiency
Associations and certifications
- Best of Houzz 2023
What people say
Exceeded our expectations
Excellent listener
Beautiful and practical
Highly collaborative
Simplified complex process
Services
Home Renovations
We specialize in transforming existing spaces to better suit modern lifestyles while respecting Hawaii's architectural heritage. Our renovations focus on improving functionality, enhancing natural light flow, and creating seamless indoor-outdoor connections. Clients benefit from our deep understanding of local building codes and climate-responsive design solutions.
New Construction
Our custom home designs blend contemporary aesthetics with traditional Hawaiian elements, creating spaces that harmonize with the island environment. We incorporate passive cooling techniques, sustainable materials, and innovative layouts to create homes that evolve with residents' changing needs over time.
Color Consultation
We develop vibrant, cohesive color schemes that enhance living spaces and complement personal collections. Our expertise creates visually engaging environments that maximize perceived space while maintaining a connection to Hawaii's natural beauty through thoughtful color selection.
Interior Design
Our interior solutions optimize spatial flow and functionality while maintaining aesthetic harmony with exterior environments. We specialize in creating multi-functional spaces that accommodate family needs, showcase art collections, and incorporate innovative storage solutions tailored to island living.
3D Visualization
We employ advanced 3D modeling to help clients experience their future spaces before construction begins. This technology enables real-time design adjustments, ensuring final results perfectly match client expectations while minimizing costly changes during construction.
People
John August Black
Founder & Architect
With over 20 years of experience, John founded Lapis Design Partners after working with Buckminster Fuller and Boston architecture firms. He specializes in creating modern Hawaiian homes that balance innovation with tradition, bringing expertise in sustainable design and client-focused collaboration.
Susan Anne Ishikawa
Interior Design Director
Susan has over 35 years of experience in interior design, including residential and commercial projects. She leads our color consultation service and specializes in integrating art collections into living spaces, combining her architectural history background with practical design expertise.
Questions
What architectural styles do you specialize in?
We focus on modern Hawaiian design that blends contemporary aesthetics with traditional elements, using passive design principles to optimize comfort in Hawaii's climate.
Do you handle the permitting process for Honolulu projects?
Yes, we manage all aspects of the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting process to ensure smooth approvals for your project.
Can you help visualize design concepts before construction?
We use 3D modeling to create virtual walkthroughs, allowing you to experience and refine design concepts before any physical work begins.
What areas of Hawaii do you serve?
While based in Honolulu, we work across Oahu and throughout Hawaii, adapting our designs to each island's unique environment and building requirements.
How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs?
We use passive cooling techniques, natural materials, and energy-efficient layouts that work with Hawaii's climate to create environmentally responsible spaces.
