Prince Kuhio Federal Building

An icon of brutalism architecture.

For this project, the client asked for a traditional high-rise federal building with courts located on the top floors. However, AHL felt that such a structure might overpower the nearby State Capitol. To resolve this dilemma, AHL proposed a low-rise scheme that would complement its high-rise neighbors. Located at the beginning of the Honolulu’s Civic Center corridor, the courthouse maintains its necessary program by placing the courtrooms in a prominent position on the ground floor. Unique features to the building include its sculptural form, limestone aggregate concrete material, central landscaped courtyard, and Mauka to Makai (mountain to ocean) views along the street axis to the monumental ‘Iolani Palace.

project details

services
Location

Honolulu, Hawai‘i

year

1977

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