A model courthouse

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole US Courthouse and Federal Building

Honolulu, HI, USA

As part of the General Service Administration (GSA) Design Excellence program, the Prince Johan Kuhio Kalanianaole US Courthouse and its adjoining federal building were renovated and transformed into a high performance green working environments.

Originally constructed in 1978, the upgrades to the buildings serve as a model for future federal building rejuvenation schemes. Buro Happold worked as part of the design team on the modernisation and renovation of the five story courthouse and nine story federal building into an energy efficient establishment.

Modernization and renovation of the five story courthouse and nine story federal building

New heat recovery and VAV systems reduce energy usage across the campus by 30%

Water consumption was reduced by 20%

Challenge

A key challenge for the team was keeping the modern design aesthetic while also working to achieve ambitious energy conservation efforts. We also needed to achieve the client’s goal of obtaining a LEED accreditation. Further challenges included the need to complete the work while the building remained occupied and used for proceedings.

Solution

Our team provided energy efficient measures for the facility, including improving all internal spaces, upgrading the building glazing system and mitigating air infiltration issues.

We also introduced a nine floor central atrium that draws daylight deep into the building using high-level louvres that direct sunlight into the spaces below. New heat recovery and VAV systems reduce energy usage across the campus by 30% and water consumption was reduced by 20%. Additional energy conservation efforts include the installation of 75kW photovoltaic solar panels.

Value

By carefully considering both the limitations and the opportunities offered to us by the existing buildings, we were able to devise engineering solutions that would complement and enhance their performance, resulting in a facility that achieved LEED Silver accreditation.