Vote for People’s Choice in Architecture

Bakken Hale at Kiholo Bay. Courtesy photo.

The American Institute of Architects, Honolulu Chapter invites the public to determine the “Tenth Annual People’s Choice Award” by voting for one of 33 recently completed projects.

Two of the 33 nominees are located on Hawai‘i Island—Hawai‘i Community College – Palamanui and Bakken Hale at Kiholo Bay.

The Bakken Hale at Kiholo Bay, one of the nominees on Hawai‘i Island, is an oceanfront estate on the Kona Coast. Due to its remote location in an environmentally sensitive area, a photovoltaic and battery storage facility capable of providing all the electric needs for the Estate’s four buildings was constructed. The design concept was to have the least visual and environmental impact, seamlessly blending the architectural elements.

Hawai‘i Community College–Palamanui. Courtesy photo.

Hawai‘i Community College – Palamanui on Hawai‘i Island was envisioned and designed as a learning laboratory. The buildings are modular to provide flexibility for program variation and campus expansion/transitions. Deriving inspiration from the Polynesian culture, the Marae/Piko serves as a gathering space for the campus. It also serves as the campus gateway to welcome visitors, students, faculty, and staff.

Online votes will be accepted online through Aug. 8, 2016.

Held annually since 1958, AIA Honolulu’s Annual Design Awards is the state’s oldest program of its type.

Projects of all types and budgets are eligible for submission by AIA Honolulu member-architects—in categories including residential (single- and multi-family, renovations, interiors and historic preservation), commercial/industrial (retail, industrial and hospitality), institutional (public and private development including schools, hospitals, government agencies and medical facilities).

The “People’s Choice Award” winner will be announced on Sept. 17 during the AIA Honolulu Design Awards Gala at the NOAA Inouye Regional Center on Ford Island.

The Design Awards Gala is open to the public. Due to this year’s event location, security clearance is required, and tickets may be purchased online at www.aiahonolulu.org/2016DesignAwards

At the 2015 Annual Design Awards Gala, the NOAA Center won an “Award of Excellence” and “Mayor’s Choice Award.”

The 20 commercial and institutional projects for “People’s Choice” consideration include projects as varied as banks, historic renovations, pre- and high schools, research and athletics facilities, and new or renovated retail stores and restaurants.

The public will also have the opportunity to select from 13 residential submissions for the “People’s Choice Award,” including single- and multi-family homes in Kohala, Honolulu, Kailua, Kaua‘i and even Bangkok, Thailand.

For more information on the “People’s Choice Award” or the Design Awards Gala, visit the AIA Honolulu website.

Since 1926, the AIA Honolulu has served its membership and the community by promoting design excellence in Hawaii’s built environment. Its continuing education programs promote leadership and professionalism among its membership of ~800 architects and allied building professionals, and educate the public about architecture and the value of quality design.

The Center for Architecture, the collaborative workspace that AIA Honolulu opened in 2012, is a gathering place to engage both professionals and members of the broader community in dialogue to shape attractive and sustainable public spaces and neighborhoods.

For 158 years, members of The American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better design, and through such resources and access, they help clients and communities make their visions real.