University of Hawaii Kennedy Theatre Addition
Honolulu, Hawaii

Pfeiffer Partners is providing architectural design services for an addition to the Kennedy Theatre at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The planned addition includes a 300-seat courtyard studio theater and large studios for rehearsal, teaching and directing. Performance of Asian Theatre, Youth Theatre, Western Theatre and Dance will be supported by additional program spaces, such as a scene shop, costume shop and storage areas, as well as a puppet-making studio. The building will sit on top of a four-story parking structure. The design of the new addition will respect the architecture of the existing Kennedy Theatre, built in 1962 and designed by noted architect I.M. Pei. as part of the East-West Center Complex, which is listed in the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places. The Kennedy Theatre is recognized as an example of 1960\'s Hawaiian modern architecture. The building addition incorporates architectural elements such as strong roof lines, componentized structural expressions, and architectural concrete. Large columns and a transparent exterior give the building a momunental character, while respecting the existing buildings. Challenges include seamlessly blending the new addition to the existing historic building and providing all of the desired spaces within the confines of an extremely narrow footprint. This project is being designed for sustainability to achieve LEED certification at the silver level.