The Sidney and Minnie Kosasa Community for Grades 2 – 5 was recognized as a distinguished entrant in the 2021 AIA Design Awards, which highlights public and private structures shaping Hawai‘i’s community for the better through design. American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the leading voice and resource in the architectural profession.
In a statement about the awards, AIA Honolulu President Karen Sakamoto noted that, “all of the awardees exemplified a vision to meet or exceed safety requirements, utilize sustainable and efficient methods and fulfill our cultural and emotional needs.”
The award jury was made up of architects and a developer in Hawai‘i, Los Angeles and Seattle. Envisioned by the Junior School faculty, the firm Design Partners Incorporated, and others, created the Kosasa Community as a state-of-the-art learning environment with functional classroom spaces, a Learning Commons and outdoor spaces, all with a focus on sustainability. It is the first net-zero building for energy consumption on campus and is registered as a LEED Platinum building.
