Kauai Bamboo Entry Door

I am always meeting interesting people in my line of work designing and making custom wood, glass, and metal works and this client was no exception. He owns a beautiful piece of property on the coast in a very remote area of Kauai. The only access is by boat. Because the area around the property is protected, he is somewhat restricted in what he can and cannot do there.

He had built the home entirely of bamboo and commissioned me to design the entryway utilizing my skills in carving as well as my reputation for fine woodworking. The bamboo home was made in a warehouse, partially dis-assembled, shipped by boat, and then re-assembled on the property.

My client asked me to design a carved bamboo entry door. As usual, when designing my work, I made an artistic rendering, and then when that was approved, a full-scale drawing. He requested the wood shedua, from the variety of wood samples I sent, because the remoteness of the area and the amount of rain it got, and he wanted the door to last a very long time. Shedua is a very hard and durable wood and quite stunning.

I have several large stands of bamboo growing on my property that I used to study the plant before starting the carving. This door (like all my doors) is hand-carved and shedua is a joy to work with.

We made the jamb and trim as well, pre-hung the door, applied a marine finish, crated and shipped the door ready for installation. Hopefully someday I will travel to that beautiful location and see my door in place.

Close up of bamboo-styled door handle.