Location
Honolulu, HI
Status
Design Completed 2009
Client
Honolulu Department of Transportation Services
With the goal of improving Honolulu’s pedestrian experience and reduce vehicular dependency, the elevated transit will connect Honolulu with West Oahu as well as integrate isolated urban neighborhoods. Mitigation of impact of the elevated stations in the twenty-two locations, ranging from dense urban to waterfront locations, will be imperative. The station enclosures will be minimally intrusive tensile structures, posing a gentle profile against the Hawaiian horizon. Recalling the traditional Hawaiian sailing vessel – ‘”Wa’a kaukahi,” the traditional form of transportation in the islands, the prototype stations will be welcoming icons.
The integration of traditional and high-performance materials will create a durable, efficient, and versatile structure. The PTFE fabric membrane and wood flu-lam supports have roots in indigenous construction and weaving practices embracing renewability where possible. As in a Hawaiian flower, each bay of the membrane will wrap into the “V” support, celebrating the channeling of rainwater, which will then be dispersed at station site bio-retention fields.
