How SOM Defined Resort Architecture:The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel: A Modernist Landmark in Paradise
Unveiled in 1965, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel stands as a testament to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and its visionary approach to modernist hospitality. Nestled along the pristine shores of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea (White Mountain), the resort seamlessly integrates architecture, interiors, and landscape, creating an immersive retreat. Led by Edward Charles Bassett, SOM’s design embraced cast-in-place concrete, tiered forms, and open-air corridors, allowing natural ventilation and uninterrupted ocean views. Davis Allen and Margo Grant Walsh extended this vision into the interiors, curating a refined atmosphere with custom furnishings in natural materials, woven straw mats, and an eclectic global art collection. Even staff attire was designed to complement the hotel’s aesthetic, reinforcing Rockefeller’s vision of effortless luxury. More than just a resort, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel remains an enduring symbol of tropical modernism, where SOM’s innovative design philosophy continues to shape a timeless and harmonious guest experience.