Creative placemaking
R/D: 2011-2012
An exercise in creative placemaking, R/D (known as R&D, as in, "research and development") occupied a heretofore vacant storefront on Auahi Street in the Kaka‘ako neighborhood. At the time, redevelopment of Kakaako was in its very early stages, as Honolulu was beginning to emerge from the economic downturn and major area landowners were finalizing their master plans for development of the neighborhood, which was made up of largely single story, light industrial and small business structures.
R/D was conceived of as a place for Honolulu's developing creative community. It consisted of an art/design and culinary focused bookshop, a coffee bar and open workspace, which was used for community programming on evenings and weekends. The first iteration of R/D's design was completed by architect Kevin Miyamura and Eight Inc. architects.
R/D: 2012-2013
The second iteration of R/D sought to connect the original space with a small gallery next door that Interisland Terminal co-curated with Na Mea Hawaii, and to reorganize certain aspects of the interior areas that Interisland Terminal did not have the budget to do when it first opened the space. Punching through the ceiling to open up the double height of the building also brought in light and allowed for greater air circulation. At this point, Interisland Terminal also conceived of the possibility of partnering with different architects every couple of years to redesign the space and bring attention to the work of emerging and independent local design talent. The second iteration of R/D was designed by Tadpole Studio.