Comfort, light, and low carbon

Focused on comfort, natural light, fresh air, and low carbon, the all-electric design includes radiant floors, ceiling fans in learning spaces, an induction cooktop, and operable windows that reduce mechanical ventilation by 25%.

Daylight autonomy was key in driving planning and building envelope design. At-grade glass planks along the building perimeter, plus skylights in key areas, ensure good daylight balance in teaching spaces, creating a healthy and vibrant learning environment. This strategy drives daylight into the lower levels, making them vibrant spaces for learning and socializing. Exterior automated shades help mitigate heat load and glare while providing good daylight usage.

Flexibility and connectivity for dynamic learning

Movable walls provide educational flexibility, linking indoor and outdoor activities, while multifunctional spaces—including project work rooms—across three floors encourage social engagement and mentorship.

Creative spaces—including digital media, ceramics, painting, maker labs, and performance studios—are threaded throughout the building to dissolve boundaries between academics, art, and hands-on learning.

High performance and net zero energy

With its high-performance envelope, strategic daylighting, and efficient mechanical systems, this energy-intensive project achieves a projected EUI of 20.1. A 346 kW rooftop PV array will offset all energy use, delivering a Net Zero Energy, all-electric building.

Dynamic spaces for evolving learning needs

The new Technology, Lecture, and Band Classroom Building at Crocker Middle School sits on the campus’s northern edge. It brings together a 100-seat lecture hall, computer classrooms, staff offices, a television production classroom, and a band rehearsal space—offering a dynamic environment where music, technology, and computer sciences intersect. The design supports evolving pedagogies by thoughtfully organizing these diverse programs into a single building, with flexible spaces that adapt to changing educational needs.

Setting a standard for sustainable, healthy design

The project emphasizes sustainability and indoor air quality, setting a precedent for the district’s future standards. Materials such as linoleum and plant-based woven textiles were selected for their low VOC content and regional suitability. The landscape design features drought-tolerant plants, offering students a tangible opportunity to learn about the region’s climate. The project was designed to meet Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) standards, aligning with the district’s commitment to sustainability.

Ka Hei

This landmark plan is called Ka Hei. The name, chosen by educational specialists in the DOE’s Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, comes from a snare used by the Hawaiian god Maui to capture the sun. It also means “to absorb as knowledge or skill.” The program’s name perfectly captures its mission. In addition to guiding public schools toward energy independence, our efforts aim to transform them into sustainable, vibrant centers of the communities they serve.

Bringing Ka Hei to life

Following our work as Sustainability Advisor, WRNS Studio was asked to bring Ka Hei to life at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School (featured here), Pohukaina Elementary School, Waipahu High School, and throughout numerous heat abatement efforts across the State. 

As the first tangible implementation of Ka Hei, the Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School Classroom Building serves as a teaching tool for the DOE and future design teams, emphasizing comfort, well-being, conservation, and flexibility in design.

Designing with nature: harnessing Hawai‘i’s climate

Perched on the leeward slope of Mauna Kea, on the edge of a lava field, the building’s design takes full advantage of Hawai‘i’s climate. Intentionally porous, it leverages trade winds for natural ventilation, complemented by an insulated roof with high solar reflectivity, operable windows, louvers, and overhangs. Passive night ventilation terminals expel excess heat, while landscape shading reduces heat gain, establishing a protective canopy from the intense daytime sun.

Water conservation, front and center

Water conservation and management strategies reduce reliance on the municipal water supply while showcasing sustainable design principles for students. Highlights include an overflow rain garden near the science classrooms, rip rap swales that prevent soil erosion, and a catchment cistern that collects and filters rainwater for irrigation.

Performance-driven decision-making

Extensive energy modeling informed key decisions about operational expenses and return on investment for building systems. These strategies, paired with Waikoloa’s innovative design, contribute to the school’s pursuit of HIGH CHPS certification, setting a benchmark for sustainable educational environments in Hawai‘i.