PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The 2017 Building Voices Design Competition was a single-stage international design competition seeking innovative solutions that addressed Hawai‘i’s unique geographic location, cultural richness, global visibility, and ecological diversity. Five critical topic areas and four lenses guided the design of the brief.

BACKGROUND

The competition and exhibition were part of the inaugural Building Voices event, which sought to collect diverse perspectives surrounding design as a framework for addressing the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing Hawai’i. The event was held on Earth Day, April 22, 2017, and also included a symposium, as well as other design-focused initiatives.

DISSEMINATION

18th Annual Pacific Building Trade Expo, Honolulu, HI, 2017

The competition and event were shared via Hawai‘i Public Radio, Bustler, Competitions.org, Khon2 TV, Big Island Now, Honolulu Magazine, Flux Hawaii, Dezeen and Dwell Magazine.

COMPETITION BRIEF

The competition sought new ideas for buildings, environments, landscapes, community programs, infrastructures, product designs, network concepts, service design offerings, transportation solutions, among others. It was free and open to all designers: students and professionals, including architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers, service designers, graphic designers, industrial designers, artists, inventors, and citizens alike.

Design solutions were to address multiple topic areas, including Housing for All, Food Autonomy, Resource Independence, Community Centered Mobility, and Healthy Citizens. Each entry was evaluated with four sustainability lenses: Social, Ecological, Economic, and Indigenous Culture.

FIRST PLACE AWARD

'Outside House'

by Erin Moore / FLOAT Architectural Research and Design

'Outside House' is an example of using design to make a place where the land comes first. It is two small pavilions, the “mauka” and the “makai”, that structure space for living outside on agricultural land in upcountry Maui. 

Both pavilions are demountable. The steel frame is fabricated as a kit out of pieces that can each be lifted by two people, erected without heavy equipment, and bolted into place. 

Living outside has health benefits for people of all ages: lowered stress, improved circadian rhythms, increased physical activity, exposure to plant and soil microbiota, and access to local plant foods. Possible models for land stewardship for urban and agricultural sites include habitat restoration at all scales, community land trusts, conservation easements, and permaculture. 

The Outside House can be fitted with rainwater collection, solar panels, and a composting toilet for complete self-sufficiency. Integration into an ecological whole has immeasurable value.

Project Photography by Olivier Koning 

POP-UP EXHIBIT

Selected entries organized around the five main topics were showcased during a pop-up exhibit.

A public announcement moderated by Xavier Vendrell, Professor and Chair of the Graduate Program, Auburn University Rural Studio shared winning entries with the public.