UH CULINARY INSTITUTE OF THE PACIFIC
A Culinary Campus Inspired by the Canoe Plants of Hawaii
Initial Site Visit
Project Location: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Typology: Educational, Institutional, Food
Built: 2016
Ki Concepts was involved from the early planning stage to provide inputs for site layout, hardscape, and unique landscape features and developed PRU plans. Working closely with the community and stakeholders, many large trees were preserved and the areas disturbed were to be planted with native grasses and groundcover and adoptive species which will survive with minimal water.
During design development and construction documentation phases, Ki Concepts worked closely with the design team. The landscape design incorporated sustainable design practices such as xeriscape plant materials, rain garden, and site restorative methods. The design re-inhabited the site with appropriate native Hawaiian grasses and/or native Hawaiian plant material, replacing the dry and invasive expanse of weeds. Project also included gathering spaces as well as food garden plots, imu and amphitheater for the students to receive hands-on opportunities in cultivating their own food to use in kitchen classrooms.
As the entire campus is located on the slope of Diamond Head, pedestrian circulation and accessibility was also given high priority. Pedestrian Allee was designed from the main entry point at Diamond Head Road and across the campus to create a welcoming node and enhance pedestrian experiences with a signature specimen tree, accent trees, native shrubs and groundcover and special pavement patterns with foot plants imprint on the walkway surfaces.
