Tropical Experience Architecture + Design

Tropical Experience introduces a series of design stories with provocative story lines around some of de Reus Architects' most prominent projects. Each of the stories reveals the search that is inherent in the architectural design effort to evoke the spirit of each place by noting the unique circumstances for each client and property. The stories delve into planning and design aspects that reveal how spirit of place contributes to design meaning, and how creative expression can be discovered in pragmatic problem-solving. Within the stories, we uncover comparisons to older or ancient work in Hawaii, Indonesia, Mexico, and other locales, to underscore the significance of timeless principles in creating a harmonic living environment.

Mark de Reus is the founding partner of de Reus Architects, an award-winning architecture and planning firm specializing in up-scale resorts, residences, and hospitality projects. Mark opened de Reus Architects in 2005 on the Big Island of Hawai'i and now has additional studios in Sun Valley, and Maui.
Over the course of his 45-year career, he has received numerous design awards and his works have been featured in dozens of publications. In 2010 Mark was recognized in Architectural Digest's celebrated AD100, their list of the world's best architects and designers.
Mark's contributions to the profession include serving on design juries and servce on the Dean's Advisory Council for the College of Art & Architecture at the University of Idaho. His civic involvement includes a role as chair of The Hawai'i Meth Project, a drug prevention program.
He has authored two books featuring homes and resorts: his first, Tropical Experience was published in 2011, and his latest, Sanctuary will be released mid-2023.
 
 
Nirmala Nataraj is a San Francisco-based journalist, freelance writer, and editor whose areas of expertise include art history, spa and travel, health and wellness, Eastern religions, architecture, the performing arts, and sustainability. She has written for a variety of publications.