(December 14, 2018, Janis Magin, Pacific Business News)
Two retail projects in Hawaii took home gold in the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Global Awards for U.S. Design and Development, including Honolulu-based architecture firm AHL for its design of the Velocity Honolulu retail showroom.
AHL, formerly known as Architects Hawaii Ltd., received the gold award for its design of the 226,113-square-foot luxury auto dealership space for JN Group Inc.at the Symphony Honolulu mixed-use condominium.
The judges noted that the showroom’s glass exterior showcasing such luxury auto brands as Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus and Maserati, as well as its position at the corner of Ward Avenue and Kapiolani Boulevard, make the building stand out.
“The interior design is a compilation of mid-century modern, ultra-contemporary and modern-industrial, and incorporates angular vehicle display areas, glass paneling and floating ceiling panels, to allow for an abundance of natural light and exceptional sightlines throughout the showroom,” ICSC said on its website.
The third-floor has a glass floor that allows up to eight vehicles to be displayed, and the facility, which is LEED-certified, also houses a 33-service bay maintenance center above the showrooms. AHL was also recognized with a commendation for sustainability for the project.
Velocity also has several retail and restaurant tenants, including Italica Bar & Café and Le Radici, which is set to reopen next month.
The other Hawaii project to win a gold award was the Taubman Centers Inc.’s International Market Place project in Waikiki, which was recognized in the shopping centers of between 150,000 square feet and 500,000 square feet category.
AHL, meanwhile, also worked with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson on design of The Howard Hughes Corp.’s Aeo mixed-use tower, which is anchored by a Whole Foods Market and opened the residential tower last week.
