UH Hilo student services building wins award for architectural design

The Student Services Center at UH Hilo was given an Institutional Award of Merit by the American Institute of Architects, Honolulu Chapter.

Group photo of architects, project and university officials. Gail Makuakāne-Lundin stands center front with plaque.
The winning team, (l-r) front row:  Michael Alfonso, project coordinator, Urban Works; Kevin Miyamura, principal, Urban Works; Karen Lee, associate, Urban Works; Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, vice chancellor for student affairs, UH Hilo; Fred Yamashiro, chief financial officer, Urban Works; John Ida, principal, Urban Works. Back row: Andrew Neuman, project architect, Urban Works; Steve Nelson, president, Jacobsen Construction Co, Salt Lake City, Utah; Lorrin Matsunaga, principal, Urban Works; Nusi Tukuafu, project engineer, quality control, Jacobsen Construction Co. Courtesy photo. Click to enlarge.
UH Hilo's Student Services Building with glass facade, red roof. Lawn and large tree in front.
UH Hilo’s Student Services Center. Courtesy photo from Urban Works, Inc. Click to enlarge.

The American Institute of Architects, Honolulu Chapter, named a building at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo one of the winners of the 2015 AIA-Honolulu Design Awards.

The Student Services Center at UH Hilo earned AIA’s Institutional Award of Merit. The building was designed by architect Lorrin Matsunaga with Urban Works, Inc.

The building opened in 2013.

The 35,000 square-foot, three-story structure provides a one-stop shop to complete all the activities needed to become a full-fledged student at UH Hilo and complete registration for classes under one roof. The center houses all of the programs that students need to support their college success: Admissions Office; Office of the Registrar; Financial Aid Services; and Cashier’s Office on the first floor. The Advising Center, Career Development Services, Disability Services, Counseling Services, the Women’s Center and the Health Promotion Program are located on the second floor while the Offices of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and other student support staff are on the third floor.

The building also is part of the campus photovoltaic array system distributed among several buildings that will save about $300,000 per year in electricity costs.

The student services building was one of four structures on Hawai‘i Island given awards. The others were Kahua Kuili in Kona, Coral House in North Kona, and Puako Beach Cottage. Read more about the event and other awards at Pacific Business News.

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