Architectural firm, AHL, has been selected as architect by the US Geological Survey (USGS) to design two new Hawai’i Island facilities for the Hawai’i Volcano Observatory (HVO) and Pacific Islands Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC).
The 13,000 Square Foot (SF) Field Station is being built in Volcano National Park while the 60,000 SF Integrated Research Center will be based on the University of Hawai’i at Hilo campus. Both facilities will bring together the HVO & PIERC staff and their respective missions to monitor, investigate, and assess hazards from active volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai’i and provide the scientific understanding and technologies needed to support and implement sound management and conservation of biological resources in Hawai’i and other Pacific island locations.
Designed and constructed on separate sites, the laboratory, administration, and support facilities are being planned concurrently to support USGS’ mission to enrich the Hawai’i Island research community.
“We are honored to be chosen to design these significant projects that are exciting and have a mission that resonates with us,” said Nathan Saint Clare, AHL Principal-in-Charge. “Volcano is a special and sacred place, a place tied to the creation of Hawai’i and its people. AHL has 75 years of designing in Hawai’i, our island home, so we understand the need to design in a thoughtful way that reflects each project’s location.”
AHL’s approach to design weaves together land, history, and culture in a way that respects the role as stewards for the next generation, provides design that tells a story, and is in harmony with the surrounding environment.
“With AHL’s design expertise and firm-wide resources in partnership with HERA Laboratory Planners and Stanley Consultants as our lead engineering consultant, we plan to provide state-of-the-art facilities that will enrich the Hawai’i Island research community for years to come,” said Saint Clare.
About AHL
AHL is a multi-disciplinary architectural firm with local and international experience in architecture, planning, historic services, and interior and sustainable design. The firm provides services for projects in all market sectors including healthcare, educational, hospitality, retail, multi-family residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and military.
Located in downtown Honolulu, AHL is one of the largest architectural firms within Hawai‘i and the Pacific Region. The firm’s portfolio of award-winning projects extends around the globe. Recent notable projects include Lau Hala Shops, which in 2020 won a national award for retail design from International Council of Shopping Centers; Velocity Honolulu, which in 2018 won a national award for retail design from International Council of Shopping Centers; Walgreens Ke’eaumoku, which in 2016 won a global award for retail design from the International Council of Shopping Centers; Ka Makana Ali’i; Symphony Honolulu; Windward Community College Library Learning Commons; Aulani – A Disney Resort and Spa; FBI Honolulu Field Office; and National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Information and Visitors Center. For more information, visit www.ahl.design.