WHO: University of Arkansas Community Design Center and the University of Hawai’i Architecture HIDESIGN Studio
WHAT: Presentation on the role and impact of Community Design Centers
WHEN: Friday, September 16, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Hawai‘i State Capitol, Auditorium
HONOLULU, Hawai‘i– Stephen Luoni, Director of the University of Arkansas Community Design Center and Cathi Ho Schar, inaugural Director of HIDESIGN Studio, University of Hawai‘i School of Architecture community outreach program, will be hosting a special presentation on Friday, September 16th at 9:00 a.m. in the Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i.
“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 (Dist. 22 – Mililani Mauka, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, portion of Poamoho) 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 the 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 to which students are exposed helps 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 Hawai‘i.
“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 advance creative development through design, research, and education solutions. Planners, architects, designers, community organizers, government officials, non-profit organizations, and members of the private sector 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.