The Sullivan Family Library was the first major facility to be built on campus in 50 years. Throughout the planning stages, Ushijima Architects, Inc. (UAI) worked closely with former President Sue Wesselkamper to meet with various City and County of Honolulu officials to obtain a waiver for off-site road widening improvements. Concurrently, UAI assisted the President with providing presentations to secure donations for the project and met first-hand with the two entities that eventually funded two-thirds of the project.
UAI’s careful consideration of site planning and building massing on the steeply sloping site minimized the visual impact of the 40,000 s.f. project on the surrounding neighborhood. The building’s use of stucco on durable concrete masonry units and clay tile roofs allow the building to blend in with the surrounding architectural vernacular of the campus.
Due to the close proximity of the surrounding residential neighborhood, UAI worked with the client to inform its neighbors of the extent and duration of the construction and invited them to on-campus presentations to keep them updated on the progress of the project.
UAI recommended that a modified design-assist method of procurement be utilized, due to the program requirements, schedule, and limited availability of funds. This method allowed the client to maintain their program requirements, keep up-to-date on the cost of construction throughout the process, and be assured that quality of construction was not compromised. Most importantly, it allowed the client to be part of the “team experience” by playing a vital role in decision making.
In addition to the library shelving areas, other amenities within the facility included an entry lobby with circulation desk, internet stations, group study rooms, conference rooms, A/V viewing rooms, restroom facilities, offices, and a state-of-the art IT Center to support the entire IT needs of the University.
The project was successfully completed and dedicated in 2008, and received national recognition in College Planning & Management, a prominent college/university periodical.