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The Playhouse, with Diamond Head in the background.
Shangri-La
In the late 1930s, Doris Duke built Shangri-La on five acres of oceanfront property near Diamond Head. Designed by Wyeth & King of New York and Palm Beach, Shangri La has imported its art and architecture from the Islamic world. In her will, Miss Duke created the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art to manage Shangri La and open it to the public.
In 2001, the Foundation hired Mason Architects to repair and maintain the house and grounds and to alter it only enough to accommodate the public. The project was "fast-tracked" to meet tight timelines, and in November, 2002, Shangri-La, in partnership with the Honolulu Academy of Arts, opened its doors to small group tours and educational programs.
- The public rooms have been preserved as they were in Miss Duke's lifetime, the basement has been adapted for use as collections storage and conservation laboratories, and the servants' wing has become office space.
- New mechanical, electrical, and security systems have been installed.
- Mason Architects was given an Honor Award by the Historic Hawaii Foundation for the project.
- Work on the Playhouse, which was used as a guest cottage, includes the rehabilitation of the original decorative painting at the lanai ceiling, frieze, and columns.
- Future preservation projects will extend to the bedroom wing, kitchen and pantry, Damascus Room, and Caretaker's Cottage.
Visit the Shangri La website at www.shangrilahawaii.org
Photos: First, third and fourth: David Franzen; Second: MAI
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The fountain in the patio.
Living Room.
The bedroom wing of the main house.
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