Architecture and Rainbows In Honolulu

I recently got back from Hawaii, one of my favorite places to relax and get lost.  Though our vacation was in Maui, I set aside one day for a little home decor/architectural field trip to Honolulu.  The plan was to visit Shangri La the Doris Duke residence with its beautiful Islamic influences on the shores of the Pacific ocean in Honolulu.  The home was built in 1937 and designed by noted Palm Beach Architect Marion Syms Wyeth also of Mar-A-Lago fame. Photo via Shangri La, a Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

Weather happened and it was not meant to be.  Though the people at the Honolulu Museum of Art could not have been more apologetic when we arrived on a beautiful balmy morning only to be turned away because the house has sustained damage in the recent torrential rains of the past few days.  Well, it was a plane ride to and from Maui and with a few hours to kill before our return flight, I turned my camera on buildings I found inspiring. Created outside the museum by artist Patrick Dougherty and Hawaiian artist Leyland Miyano from invasive guava saplings harvested from the botanical garden.  After this my focus was more on the dramatic architectural styles of commercial buildings. One of two mirror opposites.It is the building in the background which I find so fabulous, though the blue tile roof on Louis Vuitton is kinda nice too.  What?  I had time to kill did you thing I wouldn’t shop? The iconic 1962 IBM building designed by architect Vladimir Ossipoff. A mix of styles with the George Jetson like topper, but the main entrance and fountains are really a treat.

While this was supposed to be an interior and architectural educational field trip, I ended up learning something interesting about the state of Hawaii. Now the license plate makes complete sense.  We must have seen at least eight different rainbows on this one afternoon.  Aloha.

Interior photo via Shangri La, a Doris Duke Charitable Foundation