The Hawaii Department of Education has unveiled the design for what it is calling the state’s first vertical school.
The elementary school will occupy the lower four floors of a 10-story residential tower. It is part of a mixed-income, mixed-use development that is to be built in the Kaka'ako section of Honolulu. In addition to the school, the project will have rental residences and retail space.
"We've discussed the possibilities of how to best serve the future educational needs of this growing area and are excited to reveal the design for this 21st-century public elementary school," says Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. "The school will have a number of sustainable features, which will provide an innovative and healthy learning atmosphere for the K-6 students in this area."
Construction is expected to begin in 2019. When complete, the school is expected to serve up to 750 elementary students from kindergarten through sixth grade.
The estimated cost of the school is $40 million. The state legislature has appropriated $16 million for planning, design work and initial construction costs.
The developer is Alaka'i Development, and the architects are WRNS Studio and Ben Woo Architects.
Video from the Hawaii Department of Education:
