University of Arkansas and the University of Hawaii Schools of Architecture to present on Community Design Centers
WHAT: University of Arkansas Community Design Center and the University of Hawai’i Architecture HIDESIGN Studio WHERE: Friday, September 16, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. WHEN: Hawaii State Capitol, Auditorium
Honolulu – Stephen Luoni, Director of University of Arkansas Community Design Center and Cathi Ho Schar, inaugural Director of HIDESIGN Studio, University of Hawaii School of Architecture community outreach program, will be hosting a special presentation on Friday, September 16th at 9:00 a.m. in the Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium. The theme “Placemaking, Planning, Visioning, and Design,” focuses on the role of Community Design Centers (CDCs) and how they can help us create a better Hawaii.
The University of Arkansas and their Community Design Center students will be working with the State of Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corporation in developing a master plan for the Whitmore Project and the Whitmore Agribusiness Technology Park. Their visit includes site visits to components of the Whitmore Project in Central Oahu, to farms in Central Oahu and the North Shore, as well as meeting with Federal, State, County, and community project stakeholders.
“Community Design Centers collaborate with government, non-government and private sector partners and encourage out-of-the-box ideas,” said State Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz who is coordinating the presentation. “We have a vital asset at the School of Architecture to open new doors in statewide projects through creative, sustainable and responsible design.”
Schools of Architecture across the country have established CDCs to provide architectural and engineering services that encourage community development efforts. Combining interdisciplinary academic initiatives, CDCs engage project stakeholders, including the impacted community, and collaboratively create a product that will be used towards the architectural design of a project.
“Focused on public-interest design, UACDC has developed eight place-making models to address core challenges in our built environment,” said Stephen Luoni, Director of University of Arkansas Community Design Center. “These models in community development include, among others, transit-oriented development, low impact development, context-sensitive street design, agricultural urbanism, and smart growth urbanism. UACDC has helped to reshape development and planning policy at the state, regional, and municipal levels.”
Architecture majors are also engaged during this process so students can take part in the design of a project. The professional experience students are exposed to helps to build their resourcefulness and gives them work in a real world setting. These connections with working professionals in and out of their field will also be useful to them post-graduation, especially to retain local talent here in Hawaii.
“HIDESIGN STUDIO is a University of Hawai'i at Manoa School of Architecture community design center and outreach initiative that builds on four decades of community service to Hawai’i and the Asia Pacific Region,” said Cathi Ho Schar, Director of HIDESIGN Studio. “As a hybrid program of education and practice, HIDESIGN provides a new platform for cross disciplinary research and design inquiry focused on serving communities throughout our state and region.”
CDCs advances creative development through design, research, and education solutions. Planners, architects, designers, community organizers, government officials, non-profit organizations, and members of the private interested in the presentation are encouraged to attend and learn more about the concept of a community design center and what they are actively doing to better their communities.
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The Whitmore Project is a detailed plan to revitalize our local agriculture industry by bringing farmers and the state together to increase local food production, create jobs, engage in partnerships, and to provide workforce housing. The Whitmore Project truly provides a live, learn, work, and play environment. For more information on The Whitmore Project, please visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov and click on The Whitmore Project under the Documents and Links section on Senator Donovan Dela Cruz’s member page.
Media Contact:
Dane K. Wicker
Office of Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz
E: d.wicker@capitol.hawaii.gov
P: 808.586.7108
Contact:
State Capitol Room 202 | 415 S. Beretania Street | Honolulu | HI 96813
P. 808.586.6090 | F. 808.586.6091 | E. sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov
