The Neal S. Blaisdell Center is Hawaii's premier cultural destination located at the heart of Honolulu, featuring a concert hall, performance and exhibition hall, and arena. The master plan addresses the campus’ aging structures and growing need for expanded program in a bold reconfiguration. Service and loading for all four venues is consolidated into a single service core that is strategically buried and combined with structured parking. This key strategy allows for a significant amount of public space to flourish on top of the service level - connecting each venue with a series of paths and unique plaza spaces. The resulting change of elevation created by the service level unlocks a singular opportunity for a series of pools and waterfalls to flow in homage to the natural drainage of mauka to makai (mountain to sea). The public realm supports the various building programs by expanding opportunities for outdoor performances and social gathering.

Work completed at Snøhetta while Kevin Cunningham was employed as a landscape architect.

©Snøhetta ©Moare

LOCATION / Honolulu, HI

CLIENT / City of Honolulu

TEAM / AECOM, WCIT, PBR Hawaii, Theatre Projects

DATE / 2018

PRESS

“Snøhetta reveals masterplan for 1960s Blaisdell Center in Honolulu,” Bridget Cogley. dezeen.com. 27 June 2019.

“Snøhetta reveals a Honolulu arts complex sculpted by water,” The Editors. archpaper.com. 1 July 2019.

“Futuristic-looking Blaisdell Center renderings show glimpse of what’s to come,” Alexandria Ng. hawaiinewsnow.com. 5 July 2019.