The Liljestrand House

Built on the slopes of Mount Tantalus, overlooking Honolulu, the Liljestrand House is an outstanding example of Vladimir Ossipoff’s work and of mid-20th century modern architecture.

Born in Russia, raised in Japan and educated at University of California at Berkeley, Ossipoff is considered the master of modern Hawaii architecture.  He was instrumental in the development of a Hawaiian architecture that prioritized cultural contextualization, climatic responsiveness, spatial flexibility, natural harmonies and tactile experience. Ossipoff’s designs are appropriate to the lush topography, light and micoclimates of the Hawaiian Islands while synthesizing Eastern and Western influences including Japanese building techniques and modern architectural principles. His seamless integration of building and site, elegant orchestration of circulation and creative use of materials is apparent in numerous projects throughout Hawaii including the Liljestrand House.  The house was designed in 1948 and built by Howard and Betty Liljestrand in 1951-1952. The Liljestrands worked closely with Ossipoff to create an innovative and functional home that earned recognition as House Beautiful’s 1958 Pacesetter home with 53 pages dedicated to the house. The home is now owned by a non-profit with the mission of preserving the house and making that preservation beneficial to the community. It is the only completely intact example of Ossipoff’s residential work open to the public. The Foundation regularly hosts tours, programs and events to support its preservation work.