Sarah MorrisARCH 415 Portfolio :: Fall 2011University of Hawaii at Manoa :: School of ArchitectureProfessor Raymond Yeh :: Assistant Philip Zoch

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Our site and general vicinity near the Aloha Tower Mar-ketplace within Honolulu, Hawaii, was once known as the gateway and welcoming portal for many. However, over time, that site has lost its appeal it once had. Upon ob-servation, it seems that certain constraints prevent this area from moving forward. Our group observed several opportunities because of the current state of the site, busi-nesses, and desires of the community. Now Aloha Tower and downtown are struggling to bring in more people not just from the business district, but from other parts of the community as well. Connections, mixed-use spaces, activ-ities, and a definite iconic image of Honolulu were aspects we felt had great prospective opportunities to increase the circulations and interests of prospective locals and visitors.

For 6 weeks my group (Kurt Chuisolo, Nainoa Cravalho and myself) col-laborated on two projects: the Irwin Park Intervention and the Future Fort Street Mall, which prepared us for the third project: the University of Ha-waii at Manoa’s Downtown School of Architecture.

We clearly followed a design process protocol wherein we divided which tasks we our strongest and combined our best information. To begin we sought our project “problem” as a group and later we individually devel-oped “solutions” or schemes to comply with our findings. Through our group work we developed our problem definition, stated our project objec-tives, gathered data, and concluded with analysis and refinement of our ob-jectives. Upon the individual portion of the design process, I arrived upon my solution based on design synthesis, evaluation and schematic design selection and the final presentation of our design proposal.

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A feeling of alienation and disconnection from the imme-diate vicinity envelopes as one approaches the site. In a naturally beautiful place like Hawaii, our site, located on the cusp of downtown district, tends to feel out of place with tall buildings and lack of greenery, cutting off views of the mountain and the ocean, as seen with Ala Moana Boulevard. Hawaiians pride themselves in their landscape, so to disconnect mauka from makai, disrupts the harmony of the natural landscape. Therefore, our group feels we have an opportunity to provide connections - connections with cultures through circulations and activities, not uplift-ing one heritage more than the other.

GOALS and SOLUTIONS- Improve Connections - Provide Mixed-Used Spaces- Increase Interest in Area Day/Night- Incorporate Park Amenities for Residents- Support Image of an Active, Functional, Smart Growth City

OBJECTIVES- Provide Circulation with Growth Opportunities In Mind. - Provide Opportunities for Attractions and Activities (Exercise, Entertain-ment, and Socializing). - Design an Adaptable Landscape, Layout and Features.- Design Way-finding Elements by Creating Visual Awareness of the Site.

IRWIN PARK INTERVENTION

To the left: Design Schemes I proposed to my group members, where I was playing with fluid double decker plaza and parks spaces.

The 1”=100’ site above shows the neighboring zone types: existing structures, historical, residential and green space.

Above: A plan at 1”=20’ showing the park features we planned to include, so that all users have an activity they could participate in.

To the right: A Photoshop composition including our group model with Kaka’ako background.

Adapting to the theories of smart growth, localizing all the needs of the community, within the community, at the mo-ment, our site along with downtown contain very little mixed-use spaces. By providing mixed-use spaces and/or facilities, residence, commercial and business, the economic cycles stays local. At the moment, it seems primary businesses close about 5 PM and local events end around 10 PM, after that, the area does not have many places to socialize. In contrast, one rea-son why Waikiki is so successful and popular is because of the ability to live and play within the same area until late. The lack of nightlife in downtown also creates an issue of safety. We plan to increase the ability for activities, with the hopes that more interest is created. With more people around and be-ing well lit, the opportunity for predators and illegal activities decrease.

Our ultimate goal is to bring people in, enjoy the space and move about the vicinity. Hawaii is unique, with a natural envi-ronment many covet, numerous cultures of the world, as well as, a centralized location to conduct business. Our location can serve to support Honolulu through design, while paying to respects to all those who pass through, embracing an image of the city, they prefer to convey. We have the opportunity to cre-ate land marks, nodes, markers, and such within this space, to honor and respect the city.

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Above are rendering that Kurt Chuisolo completed for our Irwin Park project which was included in our final board.

Below area sections completed by Nainoa Cravalho, I shaded the image for better graphic communication on our boards.

SOUTH - NORTH SECTION

EAST SECTION

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It was the spirit animating the mass and flowing from it, and it

expressed the individuality of the

building.Louis Sullivan

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Our site and general vicinity near the Aloha Tower Marketplace within Honolulu, Hawaii, was once known as the gateway and welcoming portal for many. However, over time, that site has lost its appeal it once had. Upon observation, it seems that certain constraints prevent this area from moving forward. Our group observed several opportunities because of the current state of the site, businesses, and desires of the com-munity. Now Aloha Tower and downtown are struggling to bring in more people not just from the business district, but from other parts of the community as well. Connections, mixed-use spaces, activities, and a definite iconic image of Honolulu were aspects we felt had great pro-spective opportunities to increase the circulations and interests of prospective locals and visitors.

A feeling of alienation and disconnection from the immediate vicinity envelopes as one approaches the site. In a naturally beautiful place like Hawaii, our site, located on the cusp of downtown district, tends to feel out of place with tall buildings and lack of greenery, cutting off views of the mountain and the ocean, as seen with Ala Moana Boulevard. Hawaiians prides themselves in their landscape, so to disconnect mauka from makai, disrupts the harmony of the natural landscape. Therefore, our group feels we have an opportunity to provide connections - con-nections with cultures through circulations and activities, not uplifting one heritage more than the other.

Adapting to the theories of smart growth, localizing all the needs of the community, within the community, at the moment, our site along with downtown contain very little mixed-use spaces. By providing mixed-use spaces and/or facilities, residence, commercial and business, the economic cycles stays local. At the moment, it seems primary businesses close about 5 p.m. and local events end around 10 p.m., after that, the area does not have many places to socialize. In contrast, one reason why Waikiki is so successful and popular is because of the ability to live and play within the same area until late. The lack of nightlife in downtown also creates an issue of safety. We plan to increase the abil-ity for activities, with the hopes that more interest is created. With more people around and being well lit, the opportunity for predators and illegal activities decrease.

Our ultimate goal is to bring people in, enjoy the space and move about the vicinity. Hawaii is unique, with a natural environment many covet, numerous cultures of the world, as well as, a centralized location to conduct business. Our location can serve to support Honolulu through design, while paying to respects to all those who pass through, embracing an image of the city, they prefer to convey. We have the opportu-nity to create land marks, nodes, markers, and such within this space, to honor and respect the city.

I derived these fluent forms to juxtapose the rigid angular exist-ing elements. When presenting these ideas to my group members, we concluded that the shape to go through the mall, should give the feel for that, yet have straighter connection pathways.

FUTURE HONOLULU FORT STREET MALL

I developed the following schematic designs to introduce the concept of extreme organic pathways that connect from the anchoring location on the mauka end, near Beretania to the makai anchor of Irwin Park and The University of Hawaii School of Architecture Downtown. The example above, links the residential units. We envisioned this level raised about 40-50 feet, working its way through and between the Fort Street Mall experience. The image below were some ideas of connecting the offices. We figured that since our premise was education and residential accommodations, our anchoring structure, opposite our new UHM SOA design, we be a research lab, museum, and transit depot.

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Through our groups research phase, Kurt and I gathering detailed information pertaining to which uses were in each building, while Nainoa was modeling the beginnings of our design on the computer. We compiled this information by visiting each building, asking or observing, as well as, going with previously recorded information.. After attaining that information, I combined out analytical data and entered that into a database. Kurt, at that point, gathered precedents to apply to our idea.

As seen above in the pie chart, I summed up the ratios of each use to the overall Fort Street Mall. Then, as a group, we recalculated which building uses we wanted to change for our future scenario, which accommodates more residential, research and education. The dual pie charts are located on our presentation board for this segment.

To the left: Studies of percentage changes I suggested to our group, for our future pro-posal use along Fort Street Mall. Also diagrammed are preliminary drawings of potential pathways connecting building facades.

Above: This is a quick colored sketch of how I planned to have connections made from Fort Street Mall to Irwin Park and Aloha Tower Marketplace. I was exploring different heights for our two suggested pathways.

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Spring 9:00 a.m. Spring 3:00 p.m. Summer 9:00 a.m. Summer 3:00 p.m.

Sun Path Diagrams Representing annual 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Shading. Above is our group board, which Kurt Chuisolo put together.

Autumn 9:00 a.m. Autumn 3:00 p.m. Winter 9:00 a.m. Winter 3:00 p.m.

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This is a rendering and Photoshop composition where we showed our solution to Fort Street Mall. We had planned on add-ing more greenery and parks, thus promoting a smart growth, living city. We also are showing our pathways which would extend to the water.

But I absolutely believe that architecture is a

social activity that has to do with some sort of

communication or places of interaction, and that to change

the environment is to change behaviour.

Thom Mayne

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Architecture school demands a lot from their students, including one key element, time. Ma-jority of students spend more hours within their studio than most any other place during their educational journey. With that in mind, I developed my concept of “Home Away From Home.” Home, in that, all the necessities that a student would need at home, would be provided at the site, so that students can save time getting more work done, because time to travel is reduced.

I design a place that students can basically call home throughout their scholastic duration. I wanted a place that can serve the function of an architectural studio as well as providing acces-sible amenities during school and after hours. The architectural student body grows together in their stride towards their degree. Each day, students grow closer, feed ideas off each other, and thrive off the fresh innovations of the group. By creating this “home” for this “family” the presumption that the individuals passing through develop life-long relationships that continue throughout their profession.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII : SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE : DOWNTOWN HONOLULU Left: Site Plan which includes the new Architecture School Roof Plan, Irwin Park Intervention, and Fort Street Mall. This gives contextual relationships between each solu-tion.

FLOOR PLAN

This project embodies designing a new infrastructure for the School of Architecture from Uni-versity of Hawaii at Manoa. I began my solution by determining who are the users, what move-ments would they make, and what type of spaces are they going to need: public, private mad semi public/private. I see three dominant users: the general public, faculty and administration, and the students.

This project challenged my ability to input my ideas into computer program, while producing competitive, quality work, within time. I am very pleased with the efforts and results of this hard work.

Above: The diagram above is a quick site analysis and schematic generalizations to help reason why certain can be placed where I chose.

Below: The schemes below are options for solu-tions to the given program. They were work-ing studies and the final scheme is shown to the right.

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OTHER FEATURES - One aspect that I wanted to include in my architecture school, is a day care facility. Reason being, I do not want the decision of having a family should not hinder students from attaining an architectural degree. Not to mention, there are never enough child care facilities for the work force of a city so to incorporate the space for such a need, this could provide additional income to the owners. I had considered placing a small store on site and/or a place to eat, however, by not doing so, I feel that can reconnect the user towards the surroundings. If the student needed materials, food, coffee, whatnot, they can access the Marketplace and/or any other lower level business for those needs.

For entertainment considerations, I designed a glass cantilevered corner arc overlooking Aloha Tower. Also near that end are the students’ lounge, recreation area, and gym. I figured this could help promote the student social atmosphere, in that, giving the students a space for functions, leisure and relaxation at the optimal location of the structure.

To maintain natural light and ventilation, I placed open roof space and oriented walls to allow elements to pass through. I added vegetation in planters around the site to give a sense of being outside among na-ture. On the southernmost roof, I placed solar panels to offset to the energy consumption of the facility.

GENERAL PUBLIC - can visit the site through the prescribed elevator shafts. Once they depart from main elevator they would be greeted by the front desk receptionist. This person would be able to guide and direct the users, if desired. If the public wanted to circulate towards the edge to take advantage of the views, then open pathways direct the users in that direction. Also, by providing glass curtain wall systems, us-ers can peers through the walls to observe the other side. The areas within this facility that are more secure will require a scanned badge to allow entry.

FACULTY and ADMINISTRATION - designed the location of the administrative office towards the central barrier of the building so that they provide a clustered blockade effect, separating the entrance, residential, and students. I wanted to provide a lounge and kitchen so that the teacher have a place to retreat during the day. I also considered placing the teacher’s stations along the studio spaces. This gives a more intimate relationship between professors and students, somewhat placing the teacher on the battlefield with their team of students.

STUDENTS - I designed this structure for them, with the hopes that, the space, moments, and framed views, that I have created, would inspire and motivate designers of all backgrounds to play, work and live - all while, connecting this Honolulu waterfront architectural school back to Honolulu, beginning with Aloha Tower, Marketplace, Irwin Park, and Fort Street Mall. Also considering students who major in Architec-ture and pay for dorm space, I designed a proposal to redevelop the attached residential building floor to provide that floor for students.

PUBLIC - (access but with surveillance) Lobby 30 x 60 = 1800 SF Garden 30 x 30 = 900 SF Green Space 30 x 30 = 900 SF Gallery 15 x 30 = 450 SF Child Care 15 x 30 = 450 SFTOTAL = 2700 SF

SEMI-PUBLIC/PRIVATE (access but with code/key/scan) Studio (per student) (x 420) 10 x 10 = 42,000 SF Lounge – Student 20 x 30 = 600 SF Kitchen – Student 15 x 20 = 300 SF Recreational Space 30 x 30 = 900 SF Gym 15 x 30 = 450 SF Bike Storage 15 x 15 = 225 SFTOTAL = 44,475 SF

LOCK AFTER HOURS Reception/Administration 20 x 30 = 600 SF Classroom (x 4) 15 x 30 = 1,800 SF Auditorium 30 x 45 = 1,350 SF Library 30 x 45 = 1,350 SF Print Center 30 x 30 = 900 SF Computer Lab 15 x 30 = 450 SF Conference Room (x 2) 15 x 20 = 600 SF Multimedia Communications Room 30 x 30 = 900 SF Critic Space (x 2) 20 x 30 = 1,200 SF Wood Shop 30 x 45 = 1,350 SF Lounge – Faculty/Admin 15 x 15 = 225 SF Kitchen – Faculty/Admin 15 x 15 = 225 SFTOTAL = 10,950 SFTOTAL = 55,425 SF

DEVELOPED PROGRAM

PRIVATE (specific code/key/scan entrance) Office – Faculty (x 21) 10 x 20 = 2400 SF Office – Administration (x 7) 10 x 20 = 1400 SF Bathroom – Male 15 x 20 = 300 SF Bathroom – Female 20 x 30 = 600 SF Shower – Male (x 2) 15 x 15 = 450 SF Shower – Female (x 2) 15 x 15 = 450 SF Storage (x 1) 15 x 15 = 450 SF Mechanical/Electrical Room 15 x 15 = 225 SFTOTAL = 6275 SFTOTAL = 64100 SF Circulation (20%) = 12820 SFTOTAL = 76920 SF

Housing (per unit in neighboring tower) = VARIES

NOTE: These figures are general amounts and are not corrected yet.

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RELATES to IRWIN PARK and ALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACEI designed my structure to allow for all users to view the grounds. With glass curtain wall panels, users can observe both orientations as they move throughout the facility. I maintained the fluid movements in a few forms, as originated be-low. To observe the Aloha Tower, I incorporated a glass cantilevered balcony, which stand above about 15’ from the peak of the 105’ tower. This can provide a gathering place for school events or to engage in the local events.

Left: South Elevation

Right: East Elevation

ELEVATIONS On the following pages I have in-cluded the elevations and sections. These images (including sections) exemplify the use of glass curtain wall systems, which allow for natural lighting to infiltrate the environment. I also have designed so that the structure natural bifurcated, allowing spaces to ventilate.

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RELATES TO FORT STREET MALLTo address Fort Street Mall, I found the marker points that each user could view the corridor. I noticed that the central east point gave a great moment that I utilized a green park with seat-ing and an elevated grass area. I also con-sidered that to create an interaction between these local businesses and future students, I designated any vendors to be located at the urban plaza area of our park intervention. Although, I plan to provide a space for child care. This could provide an income opportunity as well for the school, by outsourcing and/or student employees. This way, students of all types of backgrounds could apply and not feel separated from the family unit. In some cases, I even proposed to have the neighboring tower allocate that floor to student housing. Con-sidering some pay dorm fees, that money for architecture majors could centralize the user more so.

SECTIONSLeft: South Section/Elevation

Right: East Section/Elevation

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Rendering I completed showing the spatial feeling on the studio interior. Although, imagine there is all sorts of architecture furniture to furnish the setting.

Rendering I completed showing the exterior circulation near the East lookout. The open space in the distance are planters sur-rounding open views 100’below with glass rails.

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Rendering I completed showing the exterior space near the central winding staircase. The center tree/vegetation is framed by seating space. There is an overhead pathway about 3’wide just over the woman in the image.

Rendering I completed showing the feelings evoked as a resident would view Fort Street Mall and Downtown Honolulu from the edge of this design.

Even though I build buildings and I pursue

my architecture, I pursue it as an artist. I deliberately keep a tiny studio. I don’t want to be an architectural firm. I want to remain an artist.

Maya Lin

Fin