HONOLULU — Day-to-day life in downtown Honolulu and Chinatown doesn’t skip a beat, but have you ever taken a minute to look up and appreciate the outline of the city’s historic buildings (built before you were born) and their detailed stonework standing in contrast to today’s sleek glass buildings?
AIA Honolulu presents a lineup of events in October for Architecture Month. Events on Oahu and two on Hawaii Island will highlight the importance of good design in creating communities ideal to live, work and play in, as well as provide a greater appreciation for the work of architects who came before.
“As we kick off Architecture Month, we invite everyone to dive into the captivating world of architectural design, where creativity meets innovation and shapes the spaces we live in," said Phil Camp, AIA Vice President. "Join us for a series of dynamic events this month to celebrate architecture's profound impact on our world and its ability to elevate our everyday lives.”
Register for each of the following events on the AIA Honolulu website.
Oct. 2, 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., PBX Hawaii at Hawaii Convention Center
Architects, engineers, contractors, owner representatives and construction and design professionals gather for a day of education, information and networking at PBX Hawaii, the state’s premier trade show for the construction and design industries. Exhibition Hall hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Educational sessions will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 4, 5 to 8 p.m., AIA Honolulu’s Firm Crawl (Open House) at various design firms
It’s First Friday during Architecture Month and the public is invited to visit up to 10 design firms in the central business district of downtown Honolulu and adjacent areas and learn about architectural design, interior design, planning, landscape design while meeting the professionals shaping Hawaii’s present and future “built environment.” Many locations will have pupu and beverages. Receive a Firm Crawl map when you register online.
Oct. 7 through Nov. 29, “Faces of Architecture” Exhibition at Center for Architecture, reception on Oct. 11, 5 to 7 p.m.
This exhibition highlights the diverse faces of architects in Hawaii, taking a look at their age, gender, disabilities, race and ethnicity, origin and pathways into architecture. Learn who the architects are, what drives their passion and why they chose architecture as their career. Center for Architecture is located at 828 Fort Street Mall, Suite 100 in Honolulu.
Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Photography Workshop at Center for Architecture
Learn strategies and techniques with renowned photographer Olivier Koning starting with a lecture in the morning followed by a photoshoot in downtown Honolulu. The group will remain together throughout the day as Koning shares strategies and can answer questions. After lunch, everyone will return to the CFA for critiques and further discussion. Cost: $50 AIA members, $75 non-members, $40 students; lunch is not included.
Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to noon, Architectural Walking Tour at McKinley High School campus
This year’s walking tour will focus on the McKinley High School campus and surrounding area that have several buildings built between 1924 and 1939 that are listed on the National Historic Register. Tours will discuss the architects who designed the buildings and the character the buildings display today. Tours will start every 10 minutes.
Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to noon, Urban Sketchers Oahu at McKinley High School campus
Sketchers of all experience levels using any medium are invited to this informal gathering to document local scenes and make connections then gather for a show-and-tell social. No registration needed.
Oct. 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Film Night “Spanning the Future” on Oahu and in Kona on Hawaii Island
The public is invited to view a documentary about the life and work of architect and engineer Frei Otto, who is credited with laying the foundation for contemporary “lightweight” architecture. Even decades later, his ideas continue to inspire. Executive Producer Simon Chiu will follow up the film with a conversation in Honolulu. The film will be shown at the Center for Architecture on Oahu and Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa.
Oct. 25, 5:30 to 7 p.m., “Don’t Be Afraid of the Architecture Profession” at Center for Architecture
Geared toward architecture students and recent graduates looking toward the next step in their careers, this is the opportunity to learn about life after architecture school, how to apply to firms, available internships, portfolio review, interviews, the ARE exams, licensing and more.
Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hawaii Island Young Architects Workshop at Donkey Mill Art Center, Holualoa
This workshop offers students, ages 12 to 16, the opportunity to delve into design-related concepts under the mentorship of local professional architects. A design challenge will push students to think critically about key architectural elements such as light, sun protection, airflow and environmental connections and protections. Students will also take part in hands-on activities to build a small shelter at a 1:12 scale. All supplies will be provided. Cost: $45/$55.
The Honolulu chapter of the American Institute of Architects, AIA Honolulu, has worked to promote design excellence through its education programs since 1926, and continues to hold the annual Architecture Month for the public to learn about the importance of good architecture and the people behind it, nurture appreciation for our “built environment” and inspire future architects.
Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.