Adjacent to the existing Campus Center, the new 66,000 s.f. Warrior Recreation Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa was envisioned as a hub that would energize the immediate area and allow students to congregate throughout the day and night in a safe, well-lit environment. Ushijima Architects, Inc. (UAI), in collaboration with Oregon-based Yost Grube Hall Architecture, was selected to provide site planning, design, construction documentation, and construction administration for the project.
The UAI team was initially given a Project Development Report (PDR) completed by an independent consultant firm which established the programmatic goals of the project. The PDR also addressed specific requirements by the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) due to the demolition of various historic buildings on site. Upon validating the preliminary work on this project, UAI proposed to integrate into its design two historic buildings which differed from those identified in the PDR. Despite facing a lapsing funds deadline, which led to the loss of two months on the design phase, UAI was able to successfully negotiate with SHPD, condense its construction documents schedule, and still meet the procurement deadline established by the University. UAI efficiently utilized the existing site by designing a front façade that opens to a central courtyard, promotes indoor/outdoor interaction of students, and provides an assembly area for various events.
The new two-story Recreation Center features two regulation-size basketball courts; three regulation volleyball and badminton courts; free-weights and machine rooms; locker rooms and showers; multi-purpose rooms; an indoor running track overlooking the basketball and volleyball courts; cardio and fitness equipment; storage areas; and offices. As mandated by the State of Hawaii, all new facilities must meet minimal sustainable requirements of LEED® Silver. UAI has met and exceeded this goal, as the new Warrior Recreation Center has been LEED® Gold certified.
Status: Completed in 2014