The Quarterly Newsletter of Architects Hawaii Ltd. October 1 – December 31, 2015 No. 4 Volume 11 In this issue: • Accessory Dwelling Units: Big Idea, Small Package • Bits & Pieces • Perspectives: The Living Building Challenge Translated into ADU Design • CEO Column that this demonstration project be done right; therefore we aimed to meet the highest standards of sustainability, the Living Building Challenge (LBC). We are also proud to have done the ADU project as part of our company’s 1% pro bono program.” The opportunity was optimal. Working with Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, a site in Waimanalo was selected to build a demonstration unit for the patriarch of a 12-member family who is currently living on the land in a trailer. Sited on a half-acre lot next to the existing 1,500 square foot (sq. ft.) main house, the 340 sq. ft. ADU has 220 sq. ft. of interior space and 120 sq. ft. of lanai. To achieve full certification, seven categories have to be addressed: place, water, energy, health and happiness, materials, equity and beauty. “Every design decision from site planning to materials selection was grounded on the Living Building Challenge principles,” explained ADU Project Manager Ethan Twer. “It was a collaborative effort from the beginning, with our partners, KAI Hawaii, WSP Hawaii, and Hawai‘i’s rental market is the tightest in the nation with a 3.4 percent vacancy rate, compared to about 10 percent elsewhere in our country. The average rental base rate grew to $3.82 per sq.ft. per month from $3.54 a year ago. We simply do not have enough supply. The result is an increasing number of homeless, overcrowding, the plight of a struggling middle class, and the flight of intellectual capital. Some relief is on the horizon with a new law allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Starting some five years ago, Architects Hawaii Ltd.’s (AHL) Brian Takahashi began exploring how to increase the affordable housing supply in Hawai‘i. Working with Housing Hawaii, Takahashi brought in the University of Hawai‘i’s School of Architecture to explore options and see what other communities were doing in the “less is more” vein. “We can do it here just as well, if not better, than what is being done in Portland, Seattle and other places,” said Takahashi. “Our goal was to show how an ADU could be affordable, sustainable, and beautiful. It was important to us Hunt Moss Hawaii also providing pro bono services, and Hawaiian Community Assets, Hawaiian Community Development, Hawai‘i Appleseed and the University of Hawai‘i at M ¯ anoa School of Architecture, fully engaged in making this ADU an example of what we can do in the community.” The unit is detached from public utilities, instead using a catchment system for water, solar panels and battery storage for energy, and a flushable composting toilet and septic system for wastewater. Grey water is used to irrigate the vegetable garden and other plants, meeting one of the LBC goals of encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Materials are locally made or sourced. A lanai, with an easily movable door that opens the unit to the outside, expands the space and encourages outside activity. “One of the side benefits of a project like this is the employment of local craftspeople that are recycling materials in imaginative ways such as re-using wood pallets to make cabinets and furniture,” said Twer. The basic cost of the unit is $85,000. Adding sustainable features such as solar panels, house batteries, water collection tanks, and flushable composting toilets is $30,000 more. And the built-in furniture in this demonstration unit adds another $10,000. “One of the extra benefits of this design is that it can be constructed in six to eight weeks with assembly and erection in the field,” said Takahashi. “We hope that this basic design concept will be used to build ADUs that are sustainable, affordable and highly livable,” he adds.
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The Quarterly Newsletter of Architects Hawaii Ltd. October 1 – December 31, 2015
No. 4 Volume 11 In this issue:• Accessory Dwelling Units: Big Idea, Small Package• Bits & Pieces• Perspectives: The Living Building Challenge Translated into ADU Design• CEO Column
that this demonstration project be done right; therefore we aimed to meet the highest standards of sustainability, the Living Building Challenge (LBC). We are also proud to have done the ADU project as part of our company’s 1% pro bono program.”
The opportunity was optimal. Working with Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, a site in Waimanalo was selected to build a demonstration unit for the patriarch of a 12-member family who is currently living on the land in a trailer.
Sited on a half-acre lot next to the existing 1,500 square foot (sq. ft.) main house, the 340 sq. ft. ADU has 220 sq. ft. of interior space and 120 sq. ft. of lanai. To achieve full certification, seven categories have to be addressed: place, water, energy, health and happiness, materials, equity and beauty.
“Every design decision from site planning to materials selection was grounded on the Living Building Challenge principles,” explained ADU Project Manager Ethan Twer. “It was a collaborative effort from the beginning, with our partners, KAI Hawaii, WSP Hawaii, and
Hawai‘i’s rental market is the tightest in the nation with a 3.4 percent vacancy rate, compared to about 10 percent elsewhere in our country. The average rental base rate grew to $3.82 per sq.ft. per month from $3.54 a year ago. We simply do not have enough supply. The result is an increasing number of homeless, overcrowding, the plight of a struggling middle class, and the flight of intellectual capital. Some relief is on the horizon with a new law allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Starting some five years ago, Architects Hawaii Ltd.’s (AHL) Brian Takahashi began exploring how to increase the affordable housing supply in Hawai‘i. Working with Housing Hawaii, Takahashi brought in the University of Hawai‘i’s School of Architecture to explore options and see what other communities were doing in the “less is more” vein.
“We can do it here just as well, if not better, than what is being done in Portland, Seattle and other places,” said Takahashi. “Our goal was to show how an ADU could be affordable, sustainable, and beautiful. It was important to us
Hunt Moss Hawaii also providing pro bono services, and Hawaiian Community Assets, Hawaiian Community Development, Hawai‘i Appleseed and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa School of Architecture, fully engaged in making this ADU an example of what we can do in the community.”
The unit is detached from public utilities, instead using a catchment system for water, solar panels and battery storage for energy, and a flushable composting toilet and septic system for wastewater. Grey water is used to irrigate the vegetable garden and other plants, meeting one of the LBC goals of encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Materials are locally made or sourced. A lanai, with an easily movable door that opens the unit to the outside, expands the space and encourages outside activity.
“One of the side benefits of a project like this is the employment of local craftspeople that are recycling materials in imaginative ways such as re-using wood pallets to make cabinets and furniture,” said Twer.
The basic cost of the unit is $85,000. Adding sustainable features such as solar panels, house batteries, water collection tanks, and flushable composting toilets is $30,000 more. And the built-in furniture in this demonstration unit adds another $10,000.
“One of the extra benefits of this design is that it can be constructed in six to eight weeks with assembly and erection in the field,” said Takahashi. “We hope that this basic design concept will be used to build ADUs that are sustainable, affordable and highly livable,” he adds.
The Art Wall The most recent Art Wall featured Michael Saupan’s extensive collection of sneakers. From funky to unique, Michael has been collecting sports shoes for over 10 years and has over 100 pairs. “I was inspired to collect sneakers because I wanted to have a hobby that had some-kind of design aspect to it. I really liked the various material applied to sneaker silhouettes and that they were only sold in limited quantities,” says Saupan. The Art Wall featured four different exhibits to highlight different types and genres of shoes.
Project Spotlight: DSI Renal Kapolei West O‘ahu DSI Renal Kapolei West O‘ahu features twenty-five treatment stations to provide expanded dialysis services to West O‘ahu community. The project also includes a private treatment station, waiting area, reception, training spaces, offices and a break room.
Pacific Century Fellows Career CrawlAHL participated in the Pacific Century Fellows Career Crawl to introduce high school students to industry leaders and professionals. Over seventy students were able to ask questions and find mentors in a variety of fields. AHL’s Ethan Twer, 2014 Pacific Century Fellow, introduced students to the field of architecture and provided insight on how to beco me an architect.
University of Hawai‘i at Manoa School of Architecture students from Joyce Noe’s class collaborate with AHL and Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice in a design workshop to brainstorm ADU housing solutions.
Team members celebrate at the Groundbreaking of the new American Cancer Society’s Clarence T. C. Ching Hope Lodge Hawai‘i.From Left to right: Gerry Majkut – President, Hawaiian Dredging; Paul Silen – Vice President Commercial Division, Hawaiian Dredging; David Miller – Principal in Charge, Architects Hawaii Ltd; Jean-Louis Loveridge – Project
Retirement Joe Farrell, AIA | For the last 54 years, Joe Farrell has been designing innovative and creative projects at AHL. He was involved in the design of three capitol buildings, two boats and holds a US patent for a specific design
technology in nautical design. He also designed ten high-rise buildings dotting the Honolulu skyline and the first double-helix parking structure in the state. In some capacity Joe has worked on over 800 projects.
Joe is one of the Sarasota School midcentury modernists whose Scott Building was recently renovated to house the Center for Architecture Sarasota in Florida. The Center featured an exhibit of his lifetime accomplishments at the opening this past October. Joe has won over 40 awards and honors such as the prestigious University of Hawai‘i’s Ossipoff Design Excellence Award. He is now looking forward to spending time traveling with his wife Joan, as well as mentoring the next generation of architects.
Manager, Architects Hawaii Ltd; William J. Wilson – Former President, Hawaiian Dredging; Bettina Mehnert – President and CEO, Architects Hawaii Ltd.; Kulia Pacheco Boerstler – Structural Engineer and Associate, Base Engineering; Joseph Hart – Project Manager and Vice President, HCA Consulting Group.
Bits & Pieces October 1 – December 31, 2015 • Sketches
AwardsCongratulations to the AHL design team who collaborated on the AHL ‘Ohana Room Renovation which recently won both an AIA Honolulu Award — Honorable Mention: Imaginative Spatial Organization and an ASID Award of Merit.
UHSOA Design Workshop
Groundbreaking
Chase Kersten, LEED AP BD+C,Job Captain“By seeing from, a different perspective, the things I’ve been conditioned to overlook”
Vince Tamura, Job Captain“You”
Kimbal Thompson, AIA, NCARB, TF, LEED AP, Project Director “Nature, the ocean & it’s only rock ‘n’ roll but I like it.”
Vanessa Stockton, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Designer/Drafter“The art of storytelling and its visual manifestations”
New Hires “What inspires you?”
Tamara Edwards, Technical Support“I am inspired by the organic patterns and properties of nature, especially trees and the lessons they teach us. Other inspirational tools are Instagram and Pinterest.”
Darrin Wong, CDT, LEED AP, Senior Job Captain“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.”
TamuraKersten Thompson Stockton
Edwards Wong
The Living Building Challenge Translated into ADU Design By James Hoapili and Teri Patton
Perspectives October 1 – December 31, 2015 • Sketches
4. Health & HappinessHealthy spaces create environments that optimize physical and psychological health and well-being. Through biophilic design the user is connected to nature with a lanai that easily opens to the outdoors. Outside, an ample garden and decorative plant space promote activity and health.
5. MaterialsNon-toxic, safe materials that are regenerative and socially equitable. All materials have been thoughtfully selected through various criteria (locally made or sourced, low voc, recycled, Red List).
6. EquityA true sense of community that is all-inclusive and fosters an equitable sense of place for everyone. This ADU will be built on Hawaiian Homestead lands on a site on which a family of 12 currently resides. The ADU is for the family’s patriarch who is currently living in a trailer next to the main house.
7. BeautyThe project must feature designs intended to promote inspiration, education and uplift the human spirit. This ADU demonstrates that a small unit can be as beautiful and sustainable as a larger, more expensive dwelling. The design
2. WaterFinding balance in a place, climate and environment that redefines how people use water as a precious resource. Rainwater will be harvested through a rainwater catchment system which is then filtered for consumption through a water purification system. In order to reduce wastewater, an innovative flushable composting toilet will be installed.
3. Energy Living in a pollution-free environment that relies solely on renewable energy. Solar panels, a home battery system, and low power demand allow for off-the-grid electrical service and resiliency.
We hear the word sustainability all the time. But what does
it truly mean to live a sustainable life? The Living Building
Challenge (LBC) is the built environment’s most rigorous
performance standard today and is upping the ante when it
comes to reducing our carbon footprint, responsible building
and rethinking the way we live. With various levels of
certification, the LBC aims to transform how we think, design
and execute projects that can positively impact the community.
We were thrilled to have an opportunity to put LBC principles
to work on one of our 1% pro bono projects: a demonstration
accessory dwelling unit or ADU.
The Living Building Challenge is comprised of seven performance categories, or petals. To achieve LBC certification, along with Petal Certification, at least three of the seven petals must be achieved. This is how we translated LBC in our ADU demonstration project:
1. PlaceRestoring a healthy interrelationship with nature and our natural environment. The ADU is located on a previously developed site and will be situated to maximize trade wind flow and natural light. A rain garden utilizes grey water to be used for irrigation.
has insets for family memorabilia and selection of finishes, as well as space for gardening.
Attending the LBC Living Future unConference in April really inspired us to immediately implement the sustainable concepts we experienced firsthand. Being able to bring these tools and ideas home and then translate them into a design that can educate and serve a practical purpose is incredibly rewarding. The conference also provided us with ideas for multiple Sustainable Share Series (a monthly educational program for AHL employees about the most current projects and methods of sustainable design) presentations. Our goal is to enlighten and grow, not just as architects, but as global citizens. As a result of the ADU and AHL’s commitment to sustainable design, we are currently involved in re-energizing the local LBC Collaborative, a gathering of individuals committed to sustainable design. This group is open to all types of professions and global citizens who want to make our world a better place.
To learn more or to become part of the Hawaii Sustainable Collaborative, contact either James at [email protected] or Teri at [email protected]
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driving this trend — it makes good financial sense.
More and more organizations are looking for alignment with other businesses that consider environmental and social responsibility good business practice. The business case for “doing the right thing” was
solidified when Architects Hawaii searched for new office space a couple of years ago. Our goals included the desire to reduce our footprint. In a highly competitive environment, our current building was most attractive because it is run greener and more efficiently, and the management understands the importance of open-air social gathering spaces.
CEO Column continued t
Hawai‘i is uniquely unprotected to the forces of nature. We have more exposure to potential natural disasters — volcanoes, floods, drought, hurricanes and tsunamis. Add to that rising sea levels and our reliance on importing, which makes us vulnerable to shortages of just about everything, especially in an emergency scenario.
The world recently convened in Paris for a meeting of the United Nations
focused on forging agreements on climate change. Global warming triggers
unprecedented changes in our environment and there is no denying that
we are facing increasing unpredictability. The 100-year or 1,000-year events
will occur with more frequency. This poses new challenges for architects and
planners in that it makes it difficult to determine what to design for.
The business case for building resiliency is just as clear. After a disaster, a damaged structure means loss of income, cost of rebuilding, increased insurance (if obtainable) and immeasurable business disruption. As architects, it is our responsibility to work with our clients to avert the risks and build wisely well into the future.
As a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Responsible Property Investment Council, I have had the opportunity to interview developers and others for case studies that demonstrate how resiliency
Visit our website at www.ahldesign.com to find a link to the Returns on Resilience – The Business Case report published by ULI Center for Sustainability.
CEO Column October 1 – December 31, 2015 • Sketches
As a state, Hawai‘i, through its commitment to alternative energy sources, is ahead of its mainland peers. And although the cost of creating sustainable buildings can still add as much as 10 percent to the total cost of a project, developers are more often opting to go this route. It’s not just concern for the planet’s health that’s
Bettina Mehnert, AIA, LEED AP President, Chief Executive Officer
strategies can and have created value. Among the takeaways from this study, one thing was really clear: Resiliency makes a property more attractive. While climate change may creep along, extreme weather events are a near-term wake-up call. Investing in prevention offers assurance about the integrity of a project and its ability to function through or recover quickly — not to mention better financing options, better insurance rates, long-term savings on maintenance and overall value compared to more vulnerable properties.
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