ARCH 652: Site Design Studio

This studio explored ideas of maintenance in the landscape–as ecological stewardship, labor practice, cultural practice, infrastructure, design criterion– and how design can accommodate different publics. Privileging active landscape maintenance should not reduce the importance of passive and relational care, rooted in ecological and social systems, that kānaka and kamaʻāina have established over generations. Focusing on how landscapes are created and maintained offers opportunities to question how care and labor manifest in public spaces and the ability of design choices to facilitate durability and accessibility. Grounded in extensive research and design explorations, students proposed low to medium maintenance designs for an open space that reflects the unique needs of kūpuna and keiki in Kīhei, Maui.

The Department of Hawaiian Homelands set a goal of awarding over 5,800 project leases by 2028 to help bring kanaka back to the land. Among the many projects in the pipeline is a housing development on the western side of Maui, known as Kamalani. The development will have over 400 new homes for beneficiaries and provide access to 4.25 acres of greenspace spread over two parcels. Students were asked to provide designs for one open space area, addressing addressed the need for a cultural space, community mailbox, and low maintenance plantings. This accompanied research on different dwarf fruit tree types suitable for the soil and environment of the site, as well as anticipated maintenance capabilities of the beneficiaries (kūpuna residents). Additional consideration was given to potential synergies with adjacent commercial lots to be developed at a later date.

Partner: Department of Hawaiian Homelands
Instructor: Erin Voss
Students: Schuyler Cole, Katie Schuster, Jacquline Wu