April 1, 2022 – Envisioning Sea Level Rise Adaptation in Waikiki, Hawaiʻi
Waikīkī is the economic hub of Hawai‘i’s tourism industry and is threatened by flooding from sea level rise, king tides, high wave events, rainfall and storm drain backflow, groundwater inundation, and overflow of the Ala Wai canal. This research merges science with design to create conceptual architectural design renderings to visualize sea level rise adaptation strategies over time for buildings, utilities, transportation, and open space. The interdisciplinary design research team includes graduate research assistants and faculty from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa School of Architecture, Sea Grant College Program, and School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. The goal is for these renderings to compel discussion, contribute to design guides, pilot projects, and new policies that prepare for future flooding. Feedback on adaptation strategies was solicited from over 70 stakeholders and published into an online report as a resource to future design teams and policy makers. The design proposals were shared through public presentation with over 120 attendees and discussion with guest experts.
The team is continuing to research and envision coastal resiliency, this time assessing adaptation options for a beach-front condominium site.
Awards:
In September 2022, Envisioning Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategies in Waikīkī, HI was recognized as a “honorable mention” at the Northwest and Pacific American Institute of Architects Honors and Design Awards category “Unbuilt” and as a “distinguished entrant” at the American Institute of Architects Honolulu Honors and Awards category “Non-Commissioned Theoretical Work – Unbuilt.”
Read more from the articles linked below:
2022 Northwest & Pacific AIA: Design Award Winners
AIA Honolulu: Design Awards 2022
Read on UH News
June 22, 2023
“The Beachfront Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project was completed by the interdisciplinary team from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa School of Architecture, Environmental Research and Design Laboratory; Hawai‘i Sea Grant, Center for Smart Building and Community Design; School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, Climate Resilience Collaborative. This academic design research merges science with design to create conceptual architectural design renderings to visualize sea level rise adaptation strategies over time for buildings, utilities, transportation, and open space. The goal of these renderings are to foster discussion and contribute to design guides, pilot projects, and new policies that prepare for future flooding. The design proposals were shared through a public webinar presentation with over 220 participants and discussion with a panel of guest experts.
Awards:
In July 2023, The Beachfront Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project, was recognized for the 2023 Mayor’s Choice Award in the Honors and Design Awards category “Unbuilt”
Read more from the article linked below:
https://www.aiahonolulu.org/2023-design-award-winners/
Read on: UH News
In September 2023, The Envisioning Sea Level Rise Adaptation for Waikiki, Hawai’i, was recognized for the Honorable Mention in the Urban Design Category of their Chapter Awards.
Read on: UH News