Sketches v12#2.indd

No.
2
In this issue:
• Guam’s Retail Destination
• Bits & Pieces
• Perspectives:
AHL ‘Ohana
• CEO Column:
Skyscraper Dreams
Volume 12
The Quarterly Newsletter of Architects Hawaii Ltd.
April 1 – June 30, 2016
Guam’s
Retail Destination
Located in the Guam Plaza
Hotel, the JP Superstore
has been around since 1983
and continues to be one of
Guam’s most popular retail
destinations. “I spent three
days in the store, walking
around and getting a feel
for the traffic flow and the
customer experience,” said
Lester Ng, who, together
with senior interior designer,
Colette Lee, is designing the
renovation of JP Superstore.
Located in Tumon, this 45,000
square-foot store has grown over
the years, adding various brands
and products that cater to tourists
and locals alike, which range
from food, to tchotchkes, high-end
clothing brands, and nearly
everything in-between. AHL was
tasked to create a design that
cohesively unifies the store and
enhances the JP brand.
The client, a sophisticated and
business-savvy world traveler
wanted an elegant theme that
reflects the diversity of the store
and highlights the vibrant, tropical
climate of Guam. The design team
devised a “tropical modern” theme,
which is marked by sweeping,
organic geometric planes and
warmed with various wood tones
and textures.
The first challenge was to make a
central hub for the store’s multiple
entries. Using a tree as the design
motif, the three main entry points
converge on the “trunk” and
various “branches” launch the way
to the distinct departments. The
arrival core also features a large
chandelier, reminiscent of a large
tree canopy, to draw shoppers
from the lower level plaza entry
to the main store level.
industrial men’s fashion; smoother,
more refined finishes for elegant
women’s and kid’s fashion.
The material palette also features
metallic nickel and high gloss
accents to add depth and contrast.
This neutrality also allows for
the merchandise to truly “pop.”
Bright splashes of color are
introduced via canopies over the
entrances, which signal the new
JP brand, and are carried to the
interior ceiling soffiting. The same
bright color is also used at the
new stair railings in the main entry
lobby and signage throughout
the store. New flooring and
lighting that complement the
wayfinding soffits add volume
to the store for a brighter, more
modern, unified aesthetic.
The third challenge was the need
to keep the store open during the
renovation, and Ng has devised
a sequencing plan that will keep
it fully operational throughout
the construction.
The schematic design will continue
to the end of the year, with Phase I
construction planned to being
in February, 2017. Phase I, which
covers all the entry points and
60 percent of the store, will take
two to three months to complete.
Lester Ng was recently named
Director for Design & Sustainability
at Architects Hawaii. His design
for Walgreen’s flagship store in
Honolulu recently won a global
award, competing against some of
the top retail designs in the world.
Before arriving at Architects Hawaii,
The second challenge —
he spent 12 years traveling in
unmovable structural columns that Southeast Asia, designing notable
“We kept the overall interior palette support the hotel and swimming
projects such as the Saigon Centre
fairly neutral, providing flexibility
pool above the store — emerged as in Ho Chi Minh City and Fortune
for the store displays to change
a core design feature. “We turned
Plaza Beijing in China. He came
throughout the seasons and to
this ‘problem’ into a design feature, back, he says, because Hawai‘i
remain relevant for years to come,” and the columns became trees and has the best people and the best
explained Lee. The overall design
branches with lighting features to
working conditions. In this new role,
incorporates a range of wood tones create the illusion of more height,” he “wants to influence the design
and textures — rougher finishes
said Ng.
direction, to design to our modern
for beach wear and some highexperience instead of the past.”
Perspectives April 1 – June 30, 2016 • Sketches
Bits & Pieces April 1 – June 30, 2016 • Sketches
Winners of the 2016 May Day
Lei Day Competition
Awards
Most Traditional:
Most Creative:
People’s Choice:
Wild Flower
Charles Nishimoto
“Lei”Go Friends
Jennifer
Wakazuru-Kim
Puzzle Lei
Teri Patton
Announcements
Walgreens Ke‘eaumoku store won
the 2016 ICSC VIVA Retail Store
Design Award (Vision-InnovationValue-Achievement) honoring the
world’s most outstanding examples
of shopping center design and
development, sustainability,
Lester H. Ng, LEED AP BD+C, Principal named
Director for Design & Sustainability
Promotions
marketing, and community service.
The Walgreens Ke‘eaumoku
design qualified as a recipient
after receiving the highest level of
recognition as a gold winner in
ICSC U.S. Design and Development
in December 2015.
FAIA Honolulu Cohort
Moats
Saint Clare
Lee
Hoapili Jr.
Emile Alano
Vice President & COO, Principal,
Director of Human Resources
Lee
Edwards
Miura
Kersten
Kagawa
Dela Cruz Jr.
Matsukawa
Yu Lee
Marquez
Weatherford
Uyema
•Daniel Moats, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP from Associate to Senior Associate
•Nathan Saint Clare, AIA from Project Architect to Senior Associate
•Colette Abe Lee, IIDA, LEED AP from Senior Interior Designer
to Associate
•James Hoapili Jr., Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
from Project Manager to Associate
•Jeffrey Lee, Assoc AIA, LEED AP from Project Manager to Associate
•Tamara Edwards from Technical Support to Junior Designer
•Kanani Miura, LEED AP from Interior Designer/Drafter II
to Interior Designer I
•Chase Kersten, LEED AP BD+C from Job Captain to Senior Job Captain
•Kyle Kagawa from Job Captain to Senior Job Captain
•Louie Dela Cruz Jr. from Senior Job Captain to
Construction Administrator
•Celeste Matsukawa, DArch, LEED Green Assoc. from Designer/
Drafter II to Designer I
•Shao Yu Lee, DArch, Assoc. AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C
from Designer/Drafter II to Designer I
•Erin Marquez, DArch, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Assoc.
from Designer/Drafter II to Designer I
•Rebecca Weatherford, DArch, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Assoc.
from Designer/Drafter II to Designer I
•Lisa Uyema from Payroll Accountant to Project Accountant
k Bettina Mehnert, FAIA, at the FAIA Honolulu Cohort at a dinner
honoring the newest fellows.
Panel Discussion
AHL received the Best Places
to Work recognition for the
second year in a row by Hawaii
Business Magazine and in May,
a number of promotions were
awarded. Emile Alano, Vice
President & COO, Principal,
Director of Human Resources,
weighs in on AHL’s distinctive
and empowering office culture;
recognizing talents; and Lester
Ng’s promotion to Director
for Design & Sustainability.
What is it about the office
culture that really makes AHL
a distinctive and happy place
to work?
“The office is very much oriented
towards employee development
and is also family-centered. We
try to develop the careers of our
staff and put them in situations
where they can learn and grow.
We provide learning opportunities
both in and outside the office and
encourage staff to participate
in organizations that will benefit
their careers. As for being familycentered, we know that all of our
staff have many different family
situations, and we try to be as
flexible as we can in addressing
these varied needs.”
With numerous promotions
at AHL, as well as some
new hires announced over
the past month, what are
your thoughts on this time
of tremendous growth for
AHL and recognizing talents
with promotions?
“AHL is in its 70th year and much
of this sustainability is attributed
to the meticulous thought that is
put into our leadership transition
process. Future leaders of the
firm are promoted for their various
talents and the leadership skills
that they bring to the table.”
Lester Ng, whose design of
the Walgreens flagship store
recently won a global award,
the 2016 International Council
of Shopping Centers VIVA
Retail Store Design award, was
named Director for Design &
Sustainability. What does this
role mean for AHL?
“Lester’s work has influenced many
of our past projects including our
own office, the Walgreens flagship
store, and the Ka Makana Ali‘i
mall in West O‘ahu. His new role
is to impart a sense of design and
sustainability into every project
that we do no matter how big or
small it may be.”
Project Spotlight
Wai‘anae Police Station Replacement
AHL’s Teri Patton and James Hoapili,
along with Dean Sakamoto were
panel speakers on opening night of
the Honolulu Museum of Art’s
Aotearoa New Zealand Film Festival
Showcase. “Ever the Land,” was
the film focused on sustainable
design. The opening night postscreening panel discussion
addressed sustainable design and
the Living Building Challenge, both
passions of Patton and Hoapili.
Straub Pearlridge Interiors Renovation
Wahiawa General Hospital Emergency Department Expansion and Remodel
If you are interested in
receiving Sketches in an
electronic format, please email
[email protected].
Sunshine Swimwear Retail Store
CEO Column
April 1 – June 30, 2016 • Sketches
Skyscraper Dreams
“Which person, dead or alive,
would you like to meet if you
had the chance?”
Bettina Mehnert,
FAIA, LEED AP
President,
Chief Executive Officer
In the late 19th century, an exciting
new architectural development
started with the interest in creating
This is a question that elementary
innovative, tall buildings; an effort
school kids are asking their
supported not just by steel as a
parents worldwide; and so did mine. new construction method, but by
I always knew that for me it had
the electricity needed to keep the
to be an architect. Our profession,
lights on and the elevators running.
with roots 3000 years deep,
The group of leading designers
reflects history for all to see and
included architects Dankmar Adler
experience. Our designs tell stories and Louis Sullivan, whose firm
of human aspiration and give
would give Frank Lloyd Wright his
insights into our culture. Today’s
start, and Daniel Burnham, who in
designs, the contemporary
1902 would design New York City’s
interpretation of who we are now,
still-striking early skyscraper, the
is part of what puts architecture
Flatiron Building. t
at the center of modern life.
The Flatiron Building, New York City 1909 .
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The new concept of the skyscraper
changed the way we built cities
in the 20th century. These new
buildings are still considered
among the most complex structures
given the balances required
between economics, engineering,
and construction management.
Originally considered the
quintessential American invention,
the most daring examples are
now mainly outside of the US.
Skyscrapers define skylines
as magnificent statements of
modern design — and history. I find
them fascinating, invigorating,
and inspiring.
It might not come as a surprise,
that a couple of years ago I fell
in love with the Burj Khalifah in
Dubai. While it is currently the
world’s tallest building, what took
my breath away was its elegance,
its apparent weightlessness, its
contemporary sophistication, but
also the many faces it had at different
hours of the day and night. I had
found my favorite building. The
architect of this building was Adrian
Smith – the author of many of the
world’s tallest structures.
So, imagine my delight when, a
couple of weeks ago at an AIA dinner
in Philadelphia, I realized that my
seat neighbor was Adrian Smith, one
of the most genuine, humble, and
entertaining dinner companions
ever. We talked about architecture,
design, modern art, and life. And
just when I thought it couldn’t get
better, he told me about his work for
the World Expo 2017 in Astana,
Kazakhstan, a country that will always
have a special place in my heart.
I think every person has a dream
to meet someone they admire.
I met mine.