Proposed Father Damien & Mother Marianne Museum for the Dioecesis Honolulu ensis {Preliminary Program} Student: Questor Lau University of Hawaii School of Architecture ARCH 541: Design Studio ii Fall 2011 Instructor: Dr. Homer Williams, FAIA Project Assistant: Spencer Leineweber, FAIA
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8/4/2019 2011.09.06 Initial Program Research Revised
Pilgrimageii – a sacred journey connecting different landmarks or points of significance across the
landscape. As it relates to Hawaii, Father Damian was interred in Belgium but retains a spiritualconnection to the island of Molokai. However, since physical access to Kalaupapa is restricted and to
respect the privacy of those families and descendants that remain, large numbers of visitors may not be
welcome. Thus a pilgrimage route can include the proposed site on outskirts of Waikiki.
“The first Catholic priests arrived at Honolulu on 9 July, 1827”
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13438a.htm
Father Damien: “In 1873, Father Damien de Veuster, aged 33, arrived at Kalaupapa. A Catholic
missionary priest from Belgium, he served the leprosy patients at Kalaupapa until his death. A most
dedicated and driven man, Father Damien did more than simply administer the faith: he built homes,
churches and coffins; arranged for medical services and funding from Honolulu, and became a parent tohis diseased wards.” http://visitmolokai.com/kala.html
Mother Marianne Cope: “On Nov. 8, 1883, Mother Marianne Cope led six companion Sisters of the Third
Franciscan Order of Syracuse, N.Y., off the steamship Mariposa onto the Kakaako shore in Honolulu. The
nuns, all medical hospital professionals from upstate New York, had responded to a call for help from
the Hawaiian government to care for people afflicted by Hansen’s disease or leprosy.”
In Hawaii, there was no ceremony or ritual for patients. According to interviews with former patients,many were taken as children directly from school into quarantine. Thus leprosy was dubbed the
“separating sickness”. In interviews with patients, they prefer the term Hansen’s Disease to leprosy.
(Gugelyk, 1979)
In interviews with patients, they prefer the term Hansen’s Disease to leprosy. (Gugelyk, 1979)
Am I ashamed of what I look like? Or is this condition a blessing? A purgatory on earth. Beatific suffering,
existing as a witness or a proxy for existential transgression.
Possible imagery to visualize loneliness: a lighthouse (possibly air circulation vent tower) amidst a flat
landscape.
Is there a plant associated with Catholicism? Perhaps a lazarus plant, something that returns to life or a
cactus that has longevity. Or a dragon fruit whose branches can regrow itself if severed. One of the
feelings of Kalaupapa was isolation and being severed from family. The separating sickness. Can the
museum be a center for reunions? And people can take away a souvenir, a piece of the museum can go
home with them. Perhaps a plant they can grow at home and send updates to the museum, as an
interactive way to commune with the church, the museum, the memories of others like them, who have
been through the same journey, and they can all share, contribute.
An excursion to the Catholic Charities Hawai‘i Clarence T. C. Ching Campus in Makiki may help shed light
on spatial needs/requirements and interests of a space operated by to the Church, but not used
explicitly as a sanctuary. Interestingly, in that case they took over a former church building.
MUSEUMS IN HAWAII (partial list)
Contemporary museum
Academy of Art
Doris Duke
Mission House Museum
The above museums serve as anchors in time, weathering the passage of time or memorializing the
past at a particular site. Interestingly, the Honolulu Academy of Art, Doris Duke House, Mission
House Museum and the Contemporary Museum were all former residences that have adapted into
a commercial venture.
However, this Project Site will be cleared (except for significant landscaping). The challenge in
demolishing and starting from scratch, is not only he risk that a large commercial structure may not
fit the context of the neighborhood but we have erased much of a site’s character and history.
o In “Places of the Soul” the author suggests that places that nourish our spirit, feel good
because they have been “ensouled” and emanate their own spirit of place. The
architecture can assist with this process by incorporating human gestures into the work.
Perhaps hand carved railings or ohia post supports, possibly stone pavers underfoot
(sized for human hands, instead of a large monolithic slab, requiring placement by heavy
machinery). Completely smooth, machine planed surfaces are to be avoided.iv
o Or as this may be too quaint for the Client, another design response is to literally ground
the museum – merge the earthform with structure so that the wall-floor planeintersection is softened. ie raise the grade in places so that structures (particularly at
street frontages) are embedded partially underground (perhaps on 1 or 2 sides) to
soften the appearance of a 2-story structure. Explore options for a green, vegetated
roof, creating pedestrian access at/above the 25’ bldg height limit and creating vistas to
enjoy to renowned Diamond Head view and sunrise/sunset.
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contribution of greened treetop views can be exceptional to a 2nd
floor indoor
environment.
Natural Ventilation
North-South direction of mountain and ocean breezes
Orientation of building along N-S axis is difficult as the property is longer in E-W
direction; anticipate bldg envelope to maximize cross-ventilation opportunities
Daylighting
This E-W orientation suggests an elongated bldg profile. Shallower room dimensions
(ie 20’ wide) can provide opportunities for daylighting via windows on both sides.
Sawtooth layout or staggering the floor plan can help maximize light into each space.
This may provide sufficient lighting during the day, with only minimal task lighting.
Subsurface Conditions:
A Geotechnical Report is recommended to assist with foundation design and possibly
inform cost savings suggestions. A previous environmental studyvii
encountered
ground water at relatively shallow depths: 4.2 to 6.5 feet below ground surface. ABasement level or other substantial footings may require a dewatering permit and
specialized construction methods.
The close proximity to ground water and future migration of flood and tsunami zones
may help justify an increase in allowable building height.
Exceptional Trees :
Kapiolani Park EA: describes Exceptional Trees along Paki Ave between Monsarrat and
Kapahulu Ave. This may include trees fronting/adjacent/within the project site and a
more detailed landscape analysis should be conducted to determine the
disposition/relocation/preservation/addition of any on-site trees or street trees
fronting the subject property. The analysis should be done with the DH SDD and
general LUO landscaping requirements in mind.Environmental Assessment:
This project does not trigger the requirements of an EA, as per HRS 343-5, therefore
an EA is not required.
Lot Consolidation
Program states existing 4 parcels have been consolidated by subdivision action.
Sewer Easement: Recommend Client retain a Surveyor to assist with subdivision
action to remove the existing sewer easement and identify the easement owned by
the City and County of Honolulu (dated 5/24/49, doc no: 110760). As a consolidated
parcel, such easements should no longer be necessary.
BUILDING CODE:
a. Type of Construction: Type V or IV (heavy timer)
b. Occupancies:
i. A-3 (museum)
ii. A-2 (restaurant)
iii. B (offices – unless considered accessory to museum)
iv. Storage (S-1)
v. Propose Fire Sprinklers throughout to allow non-separated occupancies and allow
flexibility of open to the sky and interconnected spaces.
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(2011) shows the flood boundaries have moved further
landward from the previous flood map (see flood maps). Also,
Tsunami Evac Map (above) shows Project is at the edge. Future
revisions to either map may extend these hazard zones to
include the Project Site. Thus, a height exemption is requested
to allow the roofline to encroach 5’ above the current 25’ max
height.
iii. DH SDD Design Guidelines will apply and include provisions on allowed
landscape type and species, preference for natural materials and colors and
textured vs smooth surfaces. Flat roofs are to be avoided.
iv. Prominent Public Vantage Points
1. Paki Ave from Kapahulu to Diamond Head Road – fronting the proposed
site, is on the list of Public Streets with significant views of Diamond
Head (LUO 21-9.40-3)
v. Landscaping:
1. all required yards shall be landscaped2. fences and walls >36” height that front streets, setback 18” min +
landscaped w/vine or hedge
3. Street Trees provided, min 2” caliper, as per Approved Tree List by the
Dept of Parks and Recreation
4. Other requirements, as per LUO
g. Parking:
i. Program stated project is exempt from providing on-site parking; however,
restaurant and museum use would seem to require at a minimum Loading stalls
for delivery and visitor drop-off/pick-up. Explore possibility of City allowing use
of adjacent Hibiscus Garden as a thoroughfare for tour busses only. Although
compliance with ADA not required since this project is affiliated with a religiousinstitution (verify with ADA consultant), it is recommended to provide the
minimum required ADA stalls on-site to improve visitability.
ii. Primary Urban Center Development Plan (June 2004) shows that the Project Site
is along a Bicycle Route (“Lei of Parks” concept) and nearby the Pedestrian
Network. Interestingly, Kapiolani Park is not included in the pedestrian network
as a dotted line, however, intensity of park use suggests that it is heavily
used/enjoyed by pedestrians, perhaps as much as, if not more so than the Ala
Wai Golf Course, which is included in the Network.
Project Site
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