A new, bi-lingual signage and wayfinding system celebrates the unique, environmental, social, cultural, academic, and historic contexts of Mānoa.
The foundations of the project are built on direct observations and conversations with prospective students and their families on campus tours and other user research. These fresh perspectives were complemented by the deep knowledge of Mānoa and the university through expert interviews with UHM educators, researchers, and leaders.
The interactive system displays letterforms against a background of unique artwork by the renowned, Hilo-based design studio of Sig Zane Kaiao. Nalani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, and Kūhaʻo Zane conducted cultural research and design explorations that expanded the system to invite viewers to learn more about Polynesian navigation techniques and Kanaka 'Ōiwi alignment practices.
Client: University of Hawaiʻi Office of the Vice President for Administration
Principal Investigators: Brian Strawn AIA, Karla Sierralta AIA
Project Partners: Kūhaʻo Zane, Nalani Kanakaʻole and Sig Zane of Sig Zane Designs & SZ Kaiao
Project Collaborators:
Advising Team: University of Hawaiʻi Office of the Vice President for Administration; University of Hawaiʻi Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office; UHM Campus Architect, Daniel S. Friedman PhD, FAIA, NCARB; University of Hawaiʻi Office of Project Delivery
Design Consultants and Construction Team: Global Specialty Contractors, Two Twelve, and CRĒO Industrial Arts
Project Staff: ʻEiwa Colburn, Glenn Grande, Jason Hashimoto, Charles Palanza, Coby Shimabukuro Sanchez, Christopher Songvilay, Sho Tetsutani, Noelle Yempuku, Griffin Ward, Hunter Wells
Student Project Assistants: Jack Ames, Keola Annino, Christina Holcom, Kai Hoshijo, Keliʻi Kapali, Melise Nekoba, Vivianne Nguyen, Valerie Ribao, Mackenzie Suess, Bryson Tabaniag, Thomason Takata, Kayla Watabu, Tre Zamora
Course Integration: Summer 2018 ARCH 750G
Awards and Recognition:
2026 ACSA Collaborative Practice Award
2023 AIA Honolulu Design Award, Distinctive Detail
2023 Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Award
2023 SEGD Global Design Award
2023 Good Design Award
2023 Graphic Design USA’s Digital Design Award
