D.ARCH. - Architecture

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/36904

The University of Hawaii School of Architecture has the only NAAB professionally accredited Doctor of Architecture Program in the country. The program prepares future architects skillful to practice in global settings and reflective as practitioners of their profession. The program, among other unique curricular requirements, has a year long self directed, comprehensive Architecture Doctoral Project. These projects incorporate a research component aim to focus the students' interests and prepare a path to the making of contributions in their future practice and the profession.

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Developing a system-based framework for sustainable restaurant architecture in Napa county: Advancing low-carbon design through integrated strategies
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Cuddy, Danielle Kim Han; Schar, Cathi; Architecture
This dissertation explores sustainable strategies for architectural restaurant design within the regulatory and geographical context of Napa Valley. By analyzing relevant case studies and applying a custom project framework, the research identifies critical interventions across building systems and operational practices. The goal of the project is to propose an implementable design framework to inform future restaurant projects, with the aim of encouraging greater discourse around sustainability at the intersection of the food and beverage industry and architectural design.
Climate-resilient housing for river-based communities of the Mekong delta
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Tran, Trinh V.; Kanisthakhon, Bundit; Architecture
This dissertation proposes a modular floating housing system as a climate-resilient response tailored to the lived realities of river-based communities in the Mekong Delta. Confronted by rising sea levels, intensified monsoonal flooding, and infrastructural precarity, the project critiques formal resettlement strategies that often dislocate residents and undermine place-based socio-spatial practices. Drawing from field observations in a representative riverine setting, the central design-led contribution is a prefabricated housing system that is environmentally responsive and culturally grounded, enabling incremental growth, spatial adaptability, and continuity of local life.The research adopts a practice-led methodology integrating theoretical inquiry with iterative, context-sensitive design development. Phase I establishes a conceptual and contextual foundation by reviewing climate-resilient architecture, floating housing precedents, modular construction strategies, and regional planning instruments. These strands are synthesized into design principles and spatial strategies that mediate between environmental contingencies, material pragmatism, and traditional domestic practices. Phase II develops and examines the proposed system through a hypothetical site application, exploring how core modules, buoyant structures, and anchoring strategies may adapt to seasonal water levels and vernacular settlement morphology. Scenario-based testing and visual analysis assess the system’s environmental adaptability, socio-cultural integration, and modular scalability. Beyond physical design, the dissertation considers the institutional feasibility of in-situ adaptation by aligning the proposal with national housing policies and Vietnam’s broader climate adaptation agenda. It concludes by identifying implementation barriers and suggesting future refinement directions, including community engagement and prototyping. Ultimately, the project offers a replicable, context-attuned housing model that bridges architectural innovation, environmental resilience, and the cultural logic of water-based life.
Ai architecture: A resilient Hawaiʻi through data infrastructure & clean energy sovereignty
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Nakamori, Beau; Meguro, Wendy; Architecture
The Intelligence Age marks the evolution of the Information Age, ushering in a new paradigm defined by the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence—from narrow and generative models to the anticipated rise of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). These technologies are not theoretical abstractions; they are rapidly integrating into the core operations of governments, industries, and societies worldwide. Unbeknownst to many, AI’s existence is entirely dependent on physical systems and cannot function without the robust computational, operational, connective, and energy infrastructure that supports it. This Doctor of Architecture thesis argues that AI data infrastructure—specifically, data centers, supercomputing systems, and clean energy production—must be treated as critical infrastructure priorities. These systems must be inherently interconnected, particularly in Hawai‘i, where a statewide mandate requires a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045 for Oʻahu and by 2035 for the neighbor island counties. Energy and data centers are so inseparable that data centers themselves are planned, scaled, and valued in units of power (megawatts). However, in Hawai‘i—where land and electricity costs rank among the highest in the nation—this interdependency has traditionally posed a barrier to AI infrastructure and, by extension, progress itself. This thesis flips the traditional model. Whereas conventional data centers rely on the grid as their primary energy source—placing strain on aging infrastructure—this proposal prioritizes on-site clean and renewable generation, relegating the grid to a secondary role. This reversal reflects a broader pursuit of energy sovereignty, especially in a state still heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels. In parallel, Hawai‘i also outsources most of its computational capacity, resulting in diminished data sovereignty, higher latency, and vulnerability to external control. Establishing locally rooted, sovereign computing infrastructure offers a pathway to reclaim control over both data and energy futures. Together, these two imperatives—energy sovereignty and data sovereignty—form the backbone of a holistic infrastructure strategy. By designing energy and compute systems in tandem, this thesis contends that Hawai‘i can transform constraints into opportunities. This approach gives rise to what this thesis defines as AI Architecture—a new framework for sustainable, secure, and resilient AI data infrastructure. Allowing Hawai‘i the opportunity not only to overcome these structural barriers, but to set a precedent for others to follow. This thesis proposes the architectural development of a 5–15 MW data center with high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities, guided by strategic site selection across three geographically and energetically distinct locations in Hawai‘i: Project 1: Ocean Energy-Powered Data Center — utilizing Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC), Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), and Tidal Energy at Hawai‘i Pacific University’s Oceanic Institute (Waimānalo, O‘ahu Island)Project 2: Nuclear Energy-Powered Data Center — incorporating a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Waipi‘o Peninsula, O‘ahu Island) Project 3: Geothermal Energy-Powered Data Center — leveraging geothermal energy at the Puna Geothermal Venture site (Puna, Hawai‘i Island) Utilizing a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework, the project evaluates each proposal across seven dimensions: Economic Viability, Regulatory Feasibility, Energy Reliability, Technical Maturity, Sustainability, Scalability, and Adaptability—identifying the true challenges, opportunities, and feasibility of each. Structured in three parts, the thesis proceeds as follows: Part I: Framing the Intelligence Age: The Critical Need for AI InfrastructurePart II: Strategic Siting & Development — A Multi-Criteria Analysis of Energy and Site Suitability for AI Infrastructure Part III: Designing AI Infrastructure: Conceptual Proposals This thesis operates as both research and design, advancing a transdisciplinary, resilience-focused framework that reimagines how sovereign AI, energy, and data infrastructure can be architecturally developed. Its aim is not simply for Hawai‘i to participate—but to lead—in the Intelligence Age. Consequently, if Hawai‘i is to not only remain relevant but lead in the Intelligence Age, it must begin to build and control its own AI infrastructure. Hawai‘i currently imports the majority of its compute capacity, resulting in diminished data sovereignty, increased latency, and heightened vulnerability due to external control. To counter, this thesis advocates for a place-based approach to AI infrastructure—one that integrates clean energy, resilient development, and technological sovereignty—a reality that gives rise to what this thesis defines as, AI Architecture.
Designing belonging: Culturally grounded campus housing for Native American students
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Eddie, Harding; Chapman, William; Architecture
Native American students pursuing higher education face challenges in environments primarily designed for a predominantly white, middle-class demographic, which often alienates students from diverse ethnic backgrounds, particularly Native American students. With Native American graduation rates among the lowest in the country, this exclusion continues to marginalize them from broader educational conversations, rendering their experiences invisible and undermining efforts toward equitable education. In contrast to the Western perspective of college as a time for young people to separate from their families and communities to discover adult identity, Native American students possess a deep sense of gratitude and connection to their people, community, and place. Their approach to individualism is rooted in communal needs, which significantly influences their academic experience. This communal bond creates challenges when transitioning to college, as being away from home fosters feelings of isolation, depression, and a deterioration in academic performance, due to the cultural importance placed on maintaining a connection with family and community.Many academic institutions have begun to prioritize design spaces through architecture to challenge the long historical practice of institutions to assimilate Native peoples. Such spaces are important for fostering a strong sense of cultural belonging and community in what can often be isolating academic environments. These spaces offer a supportive atmosphere where students can connect through shared traditions, values, and experiences, helping to ease the transition to college life. They also play a crucial role in supporting academic success and retention, as students who feel seen, respected, and supported are more likely to thrive. Beyond serving Native students directly, these spaces contribute to cultural preservation by providing room for language use, traditional practices, and community-building, while also creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning among the broader student body. Importantly, such housing addresses the lasting impact of historical injustices and systemic inequities, offering a concrete step toward reconciliation and institutional accountability. For many Native students, these spaces are not just housing — they are places of safety, identity affirmation, and empowerment. There are few universities and colleges that have begun to incorporate Native American architecture and design principles into their campuses. This study provides a design example and methodology that demonstrates how culturally responsive design can be a pathway for healing, empowerment, and offering Native American students a place not just to live, but to be fully seen, culturally supported and ultimately celebrated in their pursuit and attainment of higher education.
Enhancing housing density solutions through algorithmic iterations and computational tools
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Wells, Hunter; Sierralta, Karla; Architecture
This dissertation explores the application of computational design tools to address three critical challenges impacting the future of housing development in Hawai‘i: affordability, availability, and identity. As housing costs continue to rise and pressures on land use intensify, traditional design and development processes have proven too slow and inflexible to meet growing community needs. In response, this research proposes a generative, rule-based computational model capable of producing rapid, zoning-compliant accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs customized to specific site conditions, regulatory frameworks, and cultural contexts.The Parametric Housing Aggregation Model (PHAM) is organized into four primary clusters—Lot Definition, Module Definition, Aggregation, and Exterior Definition—each responsible for translating zoning rules, programmatic requirements, and spatial configurations into parametric operations. Utilizing Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper, and the Wasp plug-in, the model allows users to generate hundreds of ADU iterations in real time. It automatically tests and prioritizes designs based on surface area-driven material cost estimates, enabling users to identify low-cost configurations quickly. These cost analyses apply local construction cost data sourced from Hawai‘i-specific markets, further grounding the model's outputs in regional realities. Beyond cost and spatial efficiency, the model integrates AI-assisted visualization tools to address the challenge of architectural identity. AI renderers, including PromeAI and Midjourney, are used to generate stylistic renderings from parametric massings, helping designers and communities visualize how proposed densification strategies can maintain or adapt local architectural character. In doing so, the model not only accelerates technical design workflows but also facilitates a critical dialogue between form, affordability, density, and culture. Application of the model across test sites demonstrates its ability to perform rapid cost comparisons, simulate increased residential density under speculative policy changes, and visualize how ADUs might integrate into Hawai‘i's diverse urban and suburban contexts. Although the system is intended as a design exploration and decision-support tool—not a replacement for detailed architectural or engineering documentation—it significantly streamlines early-stage processes and enhances transparency in evaluating design trade-offs. Ultimately, this dissertation contributes to ongoing efforts to rethink housing production in Hawai‘i by offering a scalable, adaptable, and locally responsive computational framework. It demonstrates that computational tools can serve not just as generators of form, but as platforms for advancing affordability, availability, and cultural identity in the built environment.
Kahoʻolawe: The movement to return land to Native Hawaiians
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Hansen, Sebastian Konapiliahi; Chapman, William; Architecture
This project explores the intersection of architecture, social justice, and cultural preservation within the Native Hawaiian community, specifically looking at the island of Kaho‘olawe. Kaho‘olawe, an island with deep cultural and historical significance, has long been a symbol of the broader struggles faced by Native Hawaiians—land dispossession, environmental neglect, and the suppression of Indigenous knowledge. Through decades of military use which included bombing, Kaho‘olawe suffered extreme physical and ecological damage, further severing the connection between Native Hawaiians and their ancestral land. This project seeks to confront these historical injustices through architecture, envisioning built environments that foster cultural reconnection, environmental restoration, and educational opportunities for future generations.By grounding the project in Hawaiian history and cultural practices, this work highlights how architecture can go beyond aesthetics and functionality to actively participate in cultural healing. Modern architectural solutions, including sustainable construction methods, off-grid infrastructure, and climate-responsive design, become tools for both ecological stewardship and cultural revival. The creation of culturally appropriate structures, such as traditional hales and community gathering spaces, serves multiple purposes: providing visitors with a deeper understanding of Kaho‘olawe’s significance, offering Native Hawaiian practitioners spaces to teach cultural knowledge, and demonstrating how innovative, environmentally-conscious design can work in harmony with traditional building techniques. This project does not seek to modernize or Westernize the land, but rather to apply contemporary architectural approaches in ways that amplify cultural authenticity, respect Indigenous protocols, and ensure long-term environmental sustainability. Ultimately, this paper frames architecture not only as a physical act of construction, but also as a tool for decolonization, cultural empowerment, and environmental justice, positioning Kaho‘olawe as a powerful model for future Indigenous-led design and land restoration efforts across Hawai‘i and beyond.
Kupuna transit hub – the case for the Waianae transit station: Addressing wellbeing, access, and mobility in rural areas of Oahu
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Ramos, Joshua; Stilgenbauer, Judith; Architecture
In many instances, able-bodied individuals are often oblivious or unaware to the challenges faced by our aging population especially in regard to mobility. We often overlook the struggles many of our kupuna experience in their daily lives related to navigation, transportation, and access to basic needs. Limited access and inadequate services create barriers for our elderly and a disconnection between goods and services. This highlights the need for greater awareness and empathy towards this unique issue only older individuals in our state can relate to. In Hawaii, the residents aged 65 years old or older has risen significantly and will continue to do so surpassing national growth. In 2020, the ageing population in Hawaii reached 19.3%, while in 2023, reached the height of 21.1%, almost a quarter of our state’s population. The national average saw a 1.3% increase between 2020 to 2023 from 16.4% to 17.7%. Consequently, the median age has also risen, increasing from 40.2 years to 41.3 years in Hawaii, compared to an increase from 38.5 to 39.1 years in the U.S. According to census data and projections from the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), the population aged 65 and over is anticipated to grow from 21.1% to a projected 22.6% by 2030, Furthermore, the data suggests that by 2040, approximately 25% of Hawaii's elderly population will be 85 or older, necessitating a need to prioritize policies for elderly mobility independence. This need is far greater for those who live within [more] rural areas of Oahu like Waianae, Wahiawa, and Waimanalo citing that 15.3% of all Hawaii residents between the age of 65 years or older live within rural parts of our state, away from the amenities and, at many times, basic needs for our Kupuna. (https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/rural_senior/HI). In this study, I will be addressing senior mobility and access from rural parts of Oahu and how mobility is already a challenge of older adults while also addressing access is limitations for Kupuna who live miles away from the Honolulu’s urban center. I believe that by designing an accessible and universally designed multimodal transit hub can significantly enhance senior mobility, particularly for those living in rural areas of Oahu. By integrating various transportation options, like theBus, HART’s skyline rail, and other programs and shuttle services dedicated for our Kupuna like Malama Maika’i or the Handi-Van, these hubs could provide seamless connections to urban amenities and essential medical services for our them. Addressing this issue by identifying then modifying our already existing systems and programs, would ensure that seniors can navigate their mobility limitations through transit and transportation hubs dedicated to these limitations all with ease and fosters greater community engagement by allowing kupuna to access vital services and social opportunities that contribute to their overall well-being.
Valor fitness complex: A trauma-informed gym for disabled veterans
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Rothstein, Jeffrey J.; McGuire, Laura; Architecture
The Valor Fitness Complex proposes a pioneering, trauma-informed gym environment specifically designed to support disabled U.S. veterans holistically. Grounded in interdisciplinary research, inclusive design principles, and contemporary rehabilitation practices, this Doctor of Architecture project integrates Trauma-Informed Design (TiD) principles as defined by the Trauma Informed Design Society. The facility directly addresses veterans' unique physical, psychological, and emotional needs—particularly for those managing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and physical impairments such as amputations and spinal cord injuries.Incorporating TiD principles—safety, empowerment, sensory regulation, predictability, and reconnection with the body—the Valor Fitness Complex features adaptive fitness equipment, acoustic and sensory-sensitive treatments, tactile navigation, and strategically positioned therapeutic spaces. Accessibility standards from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ISO 21542:2021, and the WELL Building Standard® further reinforce the supportive environment. Emphasizing the profound therapeutic benefits of exercise and biophilic design strategies, the project creates spaces that reduce trauma triggers, facilitate mental resilience, and enhance overall recovery and reintegration. By aligning architectural interventions directly with trauma-informed principles, the Valor Fitness Complex embodies a progressive approach to veteran rehabilitation, demonstrating architecture's essential role in supporting trauma recovery, promoting holistic wellness, and affirming disability as a valued aspect of human diversity.
Biophilic design as a catalyst for well-being: Reimagining the urban office to combat stress and burnout
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Matsunaga, Hana; Despang, Martin; Architecture
This research represents widely diverse disciplines, including architects, natural and social psychologists, health professionals, development consultants, practitioners, and others who offer an original and timely vision of how we can achieve not just a sustainable but also a more satisfying and fulfilling modern society in harmony with nature. At the core of this study is biophilic design, a framework that seeks to bridge the gap between the built environment and human well-being by integrating natural elements into urban office spaces.The research explores the concern for mental health in contemporary work environments, particularly in dense urban settings, where stress, burnout, and cognitive fatigue are prevalent. Drawing from environmental psychology, attention restoration theory (ART), and stress reduction theory (SRT), this study investigates how physical space influences cognitive performance, focus, and overall psychological well-being. The discussion extends to the environmental benefits of biophilic design, highlighting its potential to mitigate urban heat islands, improve air quality, and contribute to biodiversity in densely built environments. Recognizing the practical challenges of implementing biophilic principles in budget-conscious and space-restricted urban settings, this dissertation further addresses Tokyo as a case study, where high-density office environments often prioritize efficiency over well-being. A key outcome of this research is the development of a design guide that synthesizes these findings into actionable strategies, considering cultural, spatial, and financial constraints. This guide is then applied to the design of a selected office in Tokyo, demonstrating how biophilic principles can be adapted to real-world conditions while maintaining feasibility and impact. Ultimately, this study underscores the role of architecture in fostering not only sustainable but also mentally and physically enriching work environments. The findings contribute to a growing discourse on the necessity of integrating nature into urban office design, offering insights that extend beyond architecture into policy-making, workplace management, and urban planning.
The power of pop-ups: Strategic urban guidelines for indeterminate public spaces in New York city
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Zhao, Lijin; Llewellyn, Clark E.; Architecture
This study examines the interaction between informal food trucks and formal street-level open spaces in Manhattan, New York City, focusing on how food trucks influence the accessibility, use, and vitality of underutilized public spaces, particularly Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS). By analyzing their spatial relationship, the research finds that informal vending activities can help activate leftover urban spaces, promoting pedestrian use and enhancing public life. The study proposes design and management strategies to integrate temporary pop-up facilities into formal urban systems, offering a flexible model to support inclusive, small-scale economies in dense environments.Using GIS mapping and data from NYC Open Data, Google Maps, and Yelp, Chapter 2 quantitatively analyzes the spatial relationships between food trucks and various categories of open spaces. Findings reveal a strong correlation between food truck activity and underused Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS), highlighting their potential as spontaneous nodes of street life despite regulatory and design constraints. Chapter 3 explores the systemic causes behind the disconnect between POPS’ intended public function and their actual usage. It traces the evolution of incentive zoning policies and maps the network of city and private stakeholders to expose regulatory fragmentation and design shortcomings. Although separately managed, food trucks and POPS have developed an informal spatial coexistence, where vendors benefit from the visibility of adjacent open spaces while contributing to their activation. Chapter 4 offers design and policy-based strategies for integrating pop-up facilities into the planning and management of POPS. Proposals include a “Pop-up Corridor Program” in East Midtown and guidelines for adapting POPS typologies through temporary infrastructure and coordinated vendor management. These strategies reposition POPS as active components of a vibrant, inclusive public realm rather than passive byproducts of zoning policy. Ultimately, the study provides a design and regulatory roadmap for incorporating informal practices into street-level open spaces, demonstrating the power of pop-up interventions to revitalize indeterminate public spaces and strengthen urban public life.
Well-being by design: Design guidelines for behavioral health care in Hawaiʻi
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Reynolds, Maleah Ryan; Ho Schar, Cathi; Architecture
High rates of mental illness, substance use disorders, and houselessness in Hawaiʻi highlight the need for inclusive behavioral health care that not only provides essential services but also reflects cultural values. Financial constraints often faced by behavioral health agencies underscores the urgent need for affordable, adaptable reuse strategies to enhance accessibility and long-term viability of the facilities for behavioral health care. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are an emerging care model in Hawaiʻi that provide high quality, community-based behavioral health care for all ages through a comprehensive array of services. This dissertation studies how the built environment can support well-being and mental health in behavioral health settings. The findings inform the development of evidence-based design guidelines that foster stabilization, support recovery, and promote well-being for CCBHCs in Hawaiʻi. The guidelines are applied in a design prototype to transition an existing community mental health center in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu to a CCBHC, serving as a tool to justify, validate, and exemplify the strategies in a practical application. This dissertation is organized in two parts and follows a methodology closely aligned with the established approach in evidence-based design. Part 1 synthesizes the research components of this project; a literature review synthesizing existing findings on how the built environment can impact mental health and well-being; and, an in-depth analysis of case study facilities providing behavioral health services. This research informs the design components in Part 2; design guidelines for CCBHCs in Hawaiʻi, and the proposed application of the guidelines. This body of work—encompassing research, guidelines, and design applications—serves as a foundation for designing behavioral health environments that promote well-being and mental health. By bridging research and practice, it offers a scalable framework for communities to reference and expand upon in shaping CCBHCs that are supportive, inclusive, and adaptable in their neighborhoods.
Holistic renovation of single-family homes in Hawaiʻi: A context-sensitive approach to balancing functionality, space, sustainability, and architectural identity
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Dela Cruz, Jannah Lyn Cablay; Kanisthakhon, Bundit; Architecture
Amid Hawaii’s diverse landscapes and unique residential history, the single-family detached home emerged prominently between the 1950s and 1970s, becoming central to Hawaii’s architectural identity and neighborhood character. These homes, initially crafted to respond sensitively to local climate, materials, and homeowner preferences, are increasingly replaced by mass-produced, standardized designs, resulting in diminished contextual sensitivity and local identity. Contemporary developments driven by rapid population growth often lack site-specific considerations, raising challenges related to functionality, environmental responsiveness, and neighborhood character.This dissertation asserts the need for a holistic, context-sensitive renovation framework to effectively adapt Hawaii’s single-family detached homes, balancing the integration of modern design strategies with preservation of their inherent architectural identity. Addressing evolving socioeconomic, environmental, and spatial challenges, this research employs a multi-layered approach. Initially, a contextual analysis of Honolulu neighborhoods identifies critical demographic, environmental, and architectural considerations. Subsequently, an architectural investigation focusing on Palolo—the oldest and most concentrated area of single-family detached homes—evaluates design vocabulary and materiality to inform adaptive strategies. The dissertation culminates in developing a comprehensive renovation concept design framework, emphasizing macro-level considerations such as vernacular elements, sustainable upgrades, climate adaptability, and space optimization. Practical implementation is demonstrated through detailed case studies in Palolo, exploring minimal to maximum intervention scenarios. The study advocates for cohesive, thoughtful renovations that enhance functional efficiency, reduce energy costs, and ensure long-term resilience, ultimately preserving Hawaii’s distinctive residential heritage and neighborhood character for future generations.
Designing for food self-sufficiency: A regenerative urban agriculture toolkit for Honolulu’s limited food access areas
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Yoo, Melissa; Ho Schar, Cathi; Architecture
Many cities around the world face food security challenges, and Honolulu is no exception. Hawai’i's geographic location makes it vulnerable with 85% to 90% of its food being imported from across the Pacific Ocean. At any point in time, there is only enough food throughout the Hawaiian Islands to sustain the population for just 5 to 7 days (Hawai’i Department of Health, 2021). Furthermore, our food system is currently dealing with the unique challenge of providing for a rapidly expanding population while preserving vital resources such as energy and water (D’Ostuni, 2022). This dissertation presents a toolkit for city and state agencies and non-profit organizations to address limited food access in peri-urban neighborhoods by integrating regenerative architectural practices with urban agriculture methods. It explores techniques such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and green roofs, combined with strategies like water management, renewable energy integration, and waste reduction. Aimed at tackling key challenges in food availability, accessibility, utility, and stability, the toolkit promotes food self-sufficiency, advances a circular economy, fosters social equity, and cultivates a healthy environment in Honolulu's peri-urban areas. By embedding urban agriculture with regenerative architectural practices, the research emphasizes locally tailored strategies to confront global food security challenges. The design encourages the creation of interconnected networks of strategically placed gardens, urban farms, and green spaces, empowering communities to participate actively in sustainable food production. This approach reduces dependence on imports, sustains local populations during periods of scarcity and disruption, strengthens social ties, and fosters environmental stewardship across urban and peri-urban areas.
Building Hawai'i’s sustainable future: An exploration of hemp and bamboo and their application as a panelized building system.
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Boles, Jacob; Kanisthakhon, Bundit; Architecture
This research dissertation will investigate the potential of two crops as sustainable resources in Hawaiʻi for the production of local building materials. Bamboo, and Hemp are suited for Hawaiʻi climate and soils, are robust, have low invasive risk, and do not require intensive watering, fertilizing, or human intervention. In addition, the investigated crops have potential multiple uses from biobased natural building materials, to food, biofuel, medicine, paper, charcoal, and home goods which provide local farmers and entrepreneurs additional avenues of economic growth. Through this research dissertation I hope to achieve three objectives: provide a framework for local farmers and starter families to achieve a DIY farm to home build, design an architectural component or building system prototype which can then be taken to the next phase of testing, and lastly highlight a way to bring equity to local farmers through the introduction of a circular agriculture production process utilizing the added value crops Hemp and Bamboo which contribute to sustainability, climate renewal, and island resiliency when applied to the production of local building materials.
Climate-resilient housing for river-based communities of the Mekong delta
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Tran, Trinh Viet; Kanisthakhon, Bundit; Architecture
This dissertation proposes a modular floating housing system as a climate-resilient response tailored to the lived realities of river-based communities in the Mekong Delta. Confronted by rising sea levels, seasonal flooding, and infrastructural precarity, the project critiques formal resettlement strategies that often dislocate residents and undermine place-based socio-spatial practices. Drawing from field observations in a representative riverine setting, the central design-led contribution is a prefabricated housing system that is environmentally responsive and culturally grounded, enabling incremental growth, spatial adaptability, and continuity of local life.The research adopts a practice-led methodology that integrates theoretical inquiry with iterative, context-sensitive design development. Phase I establishes a conceptual and contextual foundation through the review of climate-resilient architecture, floating housing precedents, modular construction strategies, and regional planning instruments. These strands are synthesized into design principles and spatial strategies that mediate between environmental contingencies, material pragmatism, and traditional domestic practices. Phase II develops and examines the proposed system through a hypothetical site application, exploring how core modules, buoyant structures, and anchoring strategies may adapt to seasonal water levels and vernacular settlement morphology. Scenario-based testing and visual analysis assess the system’s environmental responsiveness, socio-cultural integration, and modular scalability. Beyond physical design, the dissertation reflects on the institutional feasibility of in-situ adaptation by aligning the proposal with national housing policies and Vietnam’s broader climate agenda. It concludes by identifying key implementation challenges and outlining potential directions for refinement, including technical prototyping and community participation. While the project offers a promising conceptual model, its broader applicability will depend on future testing, community engagement, and supportive policy mechanisms.
Urban redevelopment through adaptive re-use: Reimagining the varsity building as a student housing
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Lara, Riza; Kanisthakhon, Bundit; Architecture
This initiative investigates the adaptive reuse of the Varsity Building, a mid-century modern building situated within the Mōʻiliʻili neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Strategically located within proximity to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the Varsity Building presents itself as a prime opportunity to address the growing demand for student housing while maintaining a valued architectural icon. The proposed design reconfigures the underutilized building to be a thriving mixed-use development incorporating living units, commercial spaces, and community gathering places, reaffirming the function of the building as a community bridge connecting the university to the adjacent neighborhood. Adaptive reuse techniques—such as Insertion, Juxtaposition, Weaving, and Wrap—were utilized to remodel the interior, expand circulation, and interpret historical architectural elements. Concepts including circular form, structural columns, and brise-soleil were retained and reinterpreted. A new community kitchen and co-working space were proposed as a complementary, yet unique addition to the historical building, further facilitating student living and everyday life. Acknowledging flexibility as critical to long-term urban development, development is taking place in only half of the site at the current time, reserving the remainder for possible future development. Phasing development in such a manner ensures the Varsity Building has the opportunity to continue to evolve to meet the needs of the university and broader community. Portraying adaptive reuse not only as a preservation strategy, but as a design tool, with the opportunity to lengthen the life, timeliness, and vitality of historic urban buildings, is achieved through this undertaking.
Addressing the spaces between buildings: A urban revitalization plan for fort street mall and the greater downtown Honolulu
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2025) Dinnocenti, Tyler Charles; Kanisthakhon, Bundit; Architecture
This study aims to comprehensively analyze downtown Honolulu and apply this to a redevelopment plan that focuses on revitalizing Fort Street Mall. This project aims to transform underutilized areas into a vibrant, multifunctional district incorporating residential, commercial, cultural, and recreational spaces. The main goal of this revitalization effort is to understand the main problems growing in downtown Honolulu and apply policy and design changes that can address these problems. These problems include creating mixed-use neighborhoods that balance the expansion of housing, commercial areas, and open spaces while preserving the community’s historical heritage. This plan aims to encourage pedestrian-oriented designs that enhance downtown Honolulu’s connectivity, encourage foot traffic, support local businesses, and strengthen the sense of community and ownership of public spaces.To achieve the goal of this revitalization project, the spaces between existing buildings that are not currently being used to their full potential will be addressed. Addressing this will include the development of public space design and suggest policy changes. Policy changes will address buildings by creating new restrictions and suggestions for future buildings. Green spaces will be developed within public space design, creating interactive public spaces. By reclaiming vacant buildings, activating public spaces with neighborhood markets and cultural festivals, and upgrading public amenities, the plan aims to create an inclusive design accessible to everyone. The vision of the near-term future of Fort Street Mall is to create a lively, integrated urban center that respects its history while embracing modern policies and design. Through this redevelopment, the goal is to enhance the quality of life for new residents and visiting people,
Optimizing privacy in open-plan offices
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2024) Chacon, Mickey Dean; McGuire, Laura; Architecture
The open-plan office is a mainstay for collaborative industries (architecture, technology) and is now very trendy among non-collaborative industries. While owners and boards favor their environmentally-conscious and social factors, employees and patrons are reported to feel a compromise of their audio and visual privacy. For groups such as women, the consistent compromise of their privacy becomes an equity issue as the open-plan office is prevalent in historically woman-dominated professions (such as nursing and teaching) and continues to follow them into industries that may not need the open-plan office to function. All the while, the open-plan office has been studied to be not favored by any gender at any scale. Those scales include open-plan offices built for groups as small as 5 to as big as 30. This research hopes to collect data via surveys from employees and patrons of a non-collaborative industry that do business and operate within an open-plan office. Additionally, using laws of sound diffusion and convex surfaces to design office furniture that mitigates sound levels and speech intelligibility will decrease the irrelevant speech effect (ISE). This design will be tested against a traditional, perpendicular control using acoustic room simulation software and an analysis of sound pressure levels and sound reverberation, and diffusion of both designs will be compared.
Neighborhood-Scale Solutions for Community Resilience in Hawaiʻi: Supporting Networks of Resilience with the Built Environment
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2024) Teeples, Eric Jeffrey; Meguro, Wendy; Architecture
Climate change stressors and natural disasters are distinctly impactful for islanded communities (de Roode and Martinac 2020). In Hawaiʻi, each island within the chain presents unique combinations of shocks and stressors, which affect the vulnerability of communities. On Oʻahu, the most populous island, the top five shocks (hurricane; tsunami; infrastructure failure; rainfall flooding; external economic crisis) and stresses (cost of living; aging infrastructure; climate change impacts; lack of affordable housing; over-reliance on imports) (City and County of Honolulu 2019) require preemptive resilient responses in the built environment (buildings, infrastructure, landscape) to uplift the economic, environmental, and social wellbeing of the communities. Local resilience planning initiatives are underway to alleviate stresses and prepare for shocks, leading to more self-reliant, prepared communities. One planning response to these shocks and stresses is found in Action 15 of the Ola Oahu Resilience Strategy, which is to “Develop a Network of Resilience Hubs” (City and County of Honolulu 2019). The initiative relies on community-led efforts to build resilience and it is the primary focus of this study. Social resilience networks are increasingly in development across the state of Hawaiʻi (Center for Resilient Neighborhoods 2023; “Resilience Hubs,” n.d.; Office of Climate Change, Resiliency, & Sustainability 2023), and the ways in which the built environment should be adapted and developed to support these programs is a necessary exploration, one in need of extensive research at all scales, particularly the neighborhood scale. To build greater resilience, communities must address chronic stresses through built-environment solutions and distributed, or networked, approaches. Through understanding hazards and vulnerabilities, analyzing community assets, and engaging the community, stakeholders, and design teams, communities can collectively determine improvements, retrofits, and develop solutions to greater community resilience. The solutions include a combination of resilience hubs, nature-based solutions, cooling centers, sustainable and regenerative architecture, and distributed and circular systems for energy, water, and waste, to mitigate compounding impacts during a shock and provide redundancy. This study provides a design example and methodology to incorporate nature-based solutions, resilience design strategies and regenerative design foundations into a network of resilience in the built environment, using McCully-Mōʻiliʻili as a study neighborhood.
Queer Public Architecture: Inclusive Public Space Design for Queer Communities in Hawai'i
(University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2024) Axalan, Micah; Schar, Cathi L.; Architecture
Queer people, despite many avenues of support in the 21st century, still face discrimination in the public realm. The national average trans population is 11%, and at the same time, 543 bills were introduced into legislation in 2023 to attack trans and queer people’s rights. In Hawai‘i, the history of queerness is deeply intertwined with indigenous, immigrant, and current histories. Hawaii’s trans and queer population is one of the highest in the nation, at 0.8% of the population. At the same time, queer and trans youth are more likely than their cis-straight peers to experience depression, self-harm, and drug use. Many people want the existence of queer people to remain invisible. Architecture has the power to reverse this wave of opposition. Architecture, in particular, public space design, can be used to create a place for queer people to exist safely and openly in public. However, examples of this are rare in Hawaii. This research examines how a queer-inclusive public space can be designed in Hawai‘i. This research is split into two parts: investigation and application. The investigation involved the research of existing queer public spaces, including literature reviews, precedent studies, site visits, interviews, and community engagement workshops. The synthesis of the findings from the research was summarized in a set of eight design strategies. The second part of the research, the application, uses the eight design strategies to re-envision a Kapi‘olani Park, using a kit of parts that includes street furniture, a memorial plaza, and all-gender restrooms to transform the park into a space that honors queer history, welcomes queer individuals, and provides a space of belonging for all.

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