Winter 2011 Design Partner Feature: Architects Hawaii

We enjoy celebrating the success of our many creative and innovative design partners. This quarter we are focusing some special attention on Architects Hawaii staff members, Karen Muraoka, Interior Designer, and Mariel Moriwake, Associate AIA, who recently partnered with us in their design of the Straub Oncology Treatment Center in Honolulu, HI.

Designing a Healing Environment
From day one on this project, it was determined that the theme would center around nature and in particular “bamboo” elements. This became a healing environment drawing on the gentle colors and life giving images of nature and good health. This is a Clinic where most of the patients visit weekly for many hours of treatment and the importance of providing a comfortable and welcoming design setting is paramount to the healing process. This repeat experience needed to become a safe and friendly environment for patients and families to visit.

This project brought together the entire hospital and design team to the table to discuss the best solution to architectural finishes and their maintenance in the coming months and years. Environmental Services requested samples for testing. Finance required an initial and future price point that would meet the budget, and the design team maintained a voice to the vision of a healing environment.

The process for designing the glass included creative problem solving to achieve the desired effect while staying within budget and meeting deadlines for installation. More than a half-dozen samples were created to accomplish the desired soft and soothing effect while accomplishing the functional requirement of safety glass. These samples included fusing colored glass and laminating, fusing colored frit (fine granules of colored glass), and finally choosing slumped glass that was tempered and then back-painted. Glassworks staff worked closely with Architects Hawaii designers for technical consultation, fabrication information and installation advice to insure a successful outcome an ocean away.

This Clinic officially opened up for use recently and one of the best results is to hear how the patients, families and staff enjoy being in this environment. The severity and difficulty of having to endure chemotherapy for cancer and its ensuing after effects is so hard to bear and the small comforts of providing an environment that helps patients tolerate the effects is rewarding. The design also provided greater staff productivity and a lighter spirit in which to work.

 

Karen Muraoka is a Senior Associate and Studio Head in charge of the Interior Design Department at Architects Hawaii Ltd. (AHL) in Honolulu, Hawaii. She has been employed with AHL for 24 years. Her design specialties are healthcare, educational, corporate and government/institutional work. Karen is a professional member of both IIDA and ASID. Along with her position with the AAHID Board of Regents, she is the current Director of the Honolulu City Center, IIDA. Work in Asia and throughout the Pacific Rim has provided a variety of project types ranging from medical centers in Japan, a new medical school for the University of Hawaii, a capitol building interior space in Micronesia to corporate work for the State of Hawaii. She has received design excellence awards for the medical projects in Japan and Hawaii as well as for historical preservation work completed in Hawaii.

Mariel Moriwake, Associate AIA, joined Architects Hawaii in 2005. Her focus at AHL has been on healthcare projects, although she has also worked on projects in the retail and education sectors. She is a member of the United States Green Building Council, Hawaii Chapter, a LEED Accredited Professional, and serves as the Advocacy for Healthcare Committee Co-Chair. Mariel was the recipient of the 2009 Herman Miller Healthcare Design Conference Scholarship.

Architects Hawaii Recognitions in 2010:

• Ranked No. 147 on the ZweigWhite Hot Firm 2010 list of the 150 fastest-growing U.S. and Canada architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firms
• NAIOP Hawaii’s Architecture Firm of the Year
• Ranked No. 92 nationally on Architectural Record’s annual Top 250 Architecture Firms
• Ranked No. 48 nationally on Engineering News Record’s Annual Top 100 Green Design Firms 2010
• Ranked No. 354 nationally on Engineering News Record’s annual Top 500 Design Firms 2010
• Ranked No. 205 on Hawaii Business Magazine’s 2010 Top 250 list

More information on Architects Hawaii:
www.ahldesign.com