For nearly two decades AIA Honolulu, the Honolulu chapter of the American Institute of Architects, has celebrated design in Hawai‘i with its annual Architecture Month.
This year is no different.
Architecture Month is October, and the organization has events lined up on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island throughout the month to celebrate.
"This month-long celebration brings architecture to the public through firm open houses, walking tours of historic architecture, documentary screenings across the islands, hands-on workshops for all ages and professional development sessions," Lance Hirai, an associate principal at Honolulu-based G70 and AIA Honolulu's 2025 vice president, told Aloha State Daily via email.
Architecture Month was originally in April but AIA Honolulu moved it to October in 2022 to align with World Architecture Day, he says. (This year, that's Monday, Oct. 6).
"Architecture Month gives us a chance to pause and look at the spaces we often take for granted, including our homes, schools, parks, and even the streets we walk every day," Hirai says. "Architecture isn’t just about buildings; it’s about how design impacts our quality of life, our sense of community, and even our future sustainability. By celebrating Architecture Month, we’re not only honoring the creativity and history behind our built environment, but we’re also starting conversations about how thoughtful design can strengthen neighborhoods, preserve culture, and inspire the next generation. It’s really about connecting people to the places they live and reminding us that good design benefits everyone."
Here's what's happening in October:
AIA Honolulu Firm Crawl, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.
Visit various design firm throughout Honolulu's Central Business District, including AHL, Benjamin Woo Architects, Burns & McDonnell, Ferraro Choi, G70, Lowney Architecture, MGA Architecture, WATG, WCIT and more.
Many locations will include pūpū and drinks. And AIA Honolulu says you'll learn more about architectural design, interior design, planning, landscape design and meet the people shaping Hawai‘i’s built environment.
It's free to attend, but those who plan to do so should RSVP online.
FEMA two-day multi-hazard workshop, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 2 and 3, at the Center for Architecture, 828 Fort Street Mall, Suite 100 in Honolulu.
This is a two-day workshop intended for design professionals, builders and property managers "to understand the basic principles of designing and constructing residential buildings in Hawai‘i for multi-hazard resilience." It's free for AIA Honolulu members.
Photography workshop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Center for Architecture.
Learn strategies and techniques to capture successful photography. The workshop will include a lecture in the morning followed by a photoshoot in Downtown Honolulu as a group. After lunch, the group will return to the CFA for afternoon crits and further discussion.
Cost is $50 for AIA members, $75 for non-members and $40 for students. Lunch not included.
Architectural walking tour, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 18, at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, 65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road in Waimea on Hawai‘i Island.
Here, you'll have a chance to explore the site’s award-winning architecture, learn about its design evolution, and hear first-hand from local architects and planners about the integration of landscape, climate and education, AIA Honolulu says. Staggered tours will start every 10 minutes.
Cost is $20. Register here.
Film night, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join a free screening of “Building Bastille: The Improbable Story of the Paris Opera” on Friday, Oct. 10, at Center for Architecture in Honolulu and Thursday, Oct. 23, at Donkey Mill Art Center in Kona on Hawai‘i Island.
The documentary tells the "chaotic and unlikely true story behind Paris’ Bastille Opera House."
Mass Timber Blitz: Training and Exhibition, Oct. 16 to Nov. 21 at SHADE, 99 N. King St. in Honolulu.
According to AIA Honolulu, this program will introduce "the advantages and accelerate the application of mass timber construction technology in Hawai‘i among our public and private landowners, developers, designers, builders and regulators."
A kick-off event is planned for Oct. 16 and a full day of training on Oct. 17. The exhibition will be on display through Nov. 21 at SHADE.
AIA Honolulu is the continuing education provider for this training.
The Oct. 16 kick-off is $40 ($20 for students), while the cost of both the kick-off and training is $125 ($40 for students).
Preserving Honouliuli: A Conversation with National Park Superintendent Christine Ogura, noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Center for Architecture.
This lunchtime talk with Superintendent of Honouliuli National Historic Site Christine Ogura will discuss ongoing preservation work at the site — including aqueduct stabilization, foundation repairs and historic resource planning — and how design professionals can support the work.
Lil’ Design Workshop, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Liljestrand House
Kids 12 to 16 can join The Lil’ Design Workshop — hosted by The Liljestrand Foundation and AIA Honolulu — at Liljestrand House, a home designed by noted architect Vladimir Ossipoff. At the hands-on architectural workshop, participants can learn about design principles, sketch their ideas and construct a model of their own dream house.
Cost is $50. Registration opens soon.
Hawaii Island Young Architects Workshop, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Donkey Mill Art Center.
Here, students 12 to 16 will work with local architects and investigate design-related concepts. This program offers students the "chance to dive into the world of architectural design under the mentorship of local professional architects," says AIA Honolulu. "Participants will tackle a design challenge that pushes them to think critically about key architectural elements, including light, sun protection, airflow, and environmental connections or protections."
Cost: $45 for members and $55 for non-members.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Architecture Profession, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Cosentino. AIA Honolulu says this event is geared toward architecture students and recent graduates interested in next steps for their career.
More information about Architecture Month can be found here.
Interested in more architecture and AIA Honolulu happenings?
ICYMI: You still have time to vote for your favorite design as part of AIA Honolulu's 20th Annual CANstruction Event.
Ten teams of local architects, designers and engineers used thousands of cans of food to construct 3D structures at Kāhala Mall last weekend. People's Choice Voting continues through Saturday, Sept. 20. The food will later be donated to Hawai‘i Foodbank while the People's Choice voting also serves as a donation to the organization — one vote is $1.
You can also read more about some of the best in Hawai‘i design here and learn more about Downtown Honolulu's historic buildings here.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
