Institutional
Hawaiian Okinawa Center
The Hawaii Okinawa Center (HOC) is the “home” of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association. The Center is situated on 2.5 acres in the Gentry Waipio Business Park and stands as a living tribute to the Okinawan immigrant pioneers who began arriving in Hawaii in 1900.
The Center was designed incorporating traditional Okinawan motifs in the plans. The Center features two turtle-shaped buildings, which, in Okinawan culture symbolizes long life. Traditional Okinawan kawara clay tile – a gift from the people of Okinawa – line the roofs of both buildings. The kawara tile came with an installation crew who spent several weeks laying the clay tiles in place. Topping off the roof are a pair of ceramic shiisaa, or lions, to ward off evil spirits as they do in Okinawa.
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The Japanese School of NY
Location: 15 Ridgeway, Greenwich, CT 06831 USA
Year Built: August 1992
Type/ Scope:
School / 18 Buildings on a 16-acre campus.
Design Concept:
The project is the major renovation and alteration of the existing 18
buildings for a famous girl's school with a long history in this upscale
residential neighborhood. To accomodate neighbors' concerns, we paid
serious attention to the preservation of all existing buildings.
Major interior alterations totaling 90,000 sf were required to accommodate
the increased occupant load of Elementary to Junior High and the lnstitute's
program, as well as to bring the substandard structures into compliance
with current building and fire codes.
Asing Recreation Center
YFH & Associates provided design services for the Asing Recreation Center. The scope of work included the design and construction of a multi-purpose community center for the City & County of Honolulu. Situated around a central, breezy courtyard are the arts and crafts, the multi-purpose meeting room and the administration wings. Public restroom facilities are designed for both day and after-hour use. Deep overhangs created shady outdoor activity areas that acts as extensions of the different activity wings.
Princeville Public Library
A new regional library designed around a central focal volume. The library incorporates elements such as double-pitched roofs with deep overhangs that exemplifies the local architecture flavor. Reading wings and program areas extend out toward mountain views of the Hanalei area, while generous arched windows enhance the desired indoor-outdoor relationship
Aurora Civic Center
Location: Aurora, IL USA
Year Built: 1981
Type/ Scope:
Government Facilities and Public Fanctions
Design Concept:
Aurora Civic Center was the center of the urban renewal projects in City of Aurora, a suburb of Chicago, IL. The design team was selected by
nationwide competition and consisted of Akira Yamashita Associates from Boston, Nobutaka Ashihara Associates and the local architect Prisco, Duffy & Associates. Three basic components of the projects, that are town clerical offices, town government facilities and the civic center for citizens were interacted through the public plaza and the atrium space. The overall design
was well related to the old townscape consisting of a theater and neighborhood stores, while also relating to the adjacent waterfront of the
Fox River.
Religious Ministry
Hawaii
Jewish Synagogue
Location: 253 Brielle Avenue, Staten Island, NY USA
Type/ Scope:
Dormitory, Synagogue, Dining Area, Gymnasium, Classrooms
Design Concept:
The synagogue is intended to be a community center of this Staten Island
neighborhood. The challenge was how to blend into the existing surroundings without imposing its massiveness.
Introduction of the natural sunlight to the main hall will create the dramatic
effect and energy conservation. The overall design pays serious attention to
sustainability .
Paradise Cove Chapel
Paradise Cove Crystal Chapel is a private wedding complex consisting of a 2,000 s.f. Chapel and 2,000 s.f. Support building.
Sitting within a corner of lush Paradise Cove, the quaint 2-story chapel is raised above grade and features full surround, wall and skylight glazing at the Altar, to take advantage of the Oceanside location. A balcony overlooks the 2-story Chapel volume and extends to the exterior overlooking the main entry. The Chapel is equipped with full video and audio services. The Support building offers guests a private lounge and out door lanai dining for small receptions.
Completion Date:
October 2000
Construction Cost:
$900 Thousand
Nichiren Shoshu Temple
Location: 42-32 Parsons Blvd ., SW corner of Ash Avenue, Queens, NY USA
Year Built: 1985
Type / Scope:
Temple, Residence
Design Concept:
A new temple with a sanctuary space can seat 250 people for a variety of functions. In order to blend into the residential neighborhood , the building
elevation was minimized by placing the entire floor below the street level.
The stepped roof levels are landscaped with perimeter planters and the
lowest level is accessible to the public.