2025 Architecture Month

EVENTS OPEN TO MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC

For 19 years AIA Honolulu has marked Architecture Month by an exciting lineup of public events, featuring a fun mix of engaging events that highlight the power of good design in making our communities better places to live, work and play.

World Architecture Day is the first Monday in October. It parallels the UN World Habitat Day. This day was chosen by the International Union of Architects “to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.”

ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

OCT 3: AIA Honolulu Firm Crawl (Open House)

RSVP HERE! Friday Oct 3, Pau Hana 5PM – 8PM, Various AIA Honolulu Firms, Free

Have you ever wondered what goes on inside an architect’s office? Celebrate the First Friday of Architecture Month and visit up to 12 design firms in the central business district of downtown and adjacent areas during this open house.
Many locations include pupu and drinks! Learn more about architectural design, interior design, planning, landscape design and meet the people shaping Hawai‘i’s built environment during this annual tradition.

OCT 10: Oahu Film Night (1.5 LU)

RSVP HERE! Friday, Oct 10, 5:30PM – 7:30PM, Center for Architecture, Free for AIA & $20 Non-Members

AIA Honolulu invites the public to join in a screening of “Building Bastille,” to be shown in Honolulu on Oahu.

Film: “Building Bastille: the Impropable Story of the Paris Opera” (1h 16m).

Join us for a screening of Building Bastille, a captivating documentary about the chaotic and unlikely true story behind Paris’ Bastille Opera House. When a little-known Canadian architect is mistakenly chosen over a famous American in a high-profile French competition, political drama, artistic ambition, and international confusion collide — with unforgettable results. View trailer.

OCT 11: Photography Workshop with Olivier Koning (5 LUs)

In memory of Ted Garduque, FAIA
REGISTER HERE! Saturday October 11, 9AM – 3PM, Center for Architecture

Spend the day with a renowned photographer and learn strategies & techniques to capture successful photography. The workshop will include a lecture in the morning followed by a photoshoot in downtown Honolulu. We will remain as a group so our photographer can share strategies and answer questions while out on assignment. After lunch, the group will return to the CFA for afternoon crits and further discussion.
Cost: $50 AIA Members, $75 Non-Members, $40 Students; lunch not included.

OCT 16 & 17: Mass Timber Blitz: Kickoff, Training & Exhibition (7 HSW)

REGISTER HERE! Thursday, Oct 16, 5:30-7:30pm & Friday, Oct 17, 8:30am-4:30pm, SHADE in Chinatown, Various Rates

Program will introduce the advantages and accelerate the application of Mass Timber construction technology in Hawaii among our public and private landowners, developers, designers, builders, and regulators.

Oct 16: Kick-Off Event | Oct 17: Full Day of Training (CEU)
Exhibition will be on display through November 21, 2025 at SHADE.

OCT 18: Big Island Architectural Walking Tour (2 LU)

REGISTER HERE! Saturday, Oct 18, 9AM – 10AM, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, Cost $20

Join us for AIA Honolulu’s annual Architectural Walking Tour, this year hosted at the beautiful Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy campus in Waimea. Explore the site’s award-winning architecture, learn about its design evolution, and hear firsthand from local architects and planners about the integration of landscape, climate, and education. A rare opportunity to experience one of Hawai‘i’s most thoughtfully designed campuses through an architect’s lens. Staggered tours will start every 15 minutes.

OCT 23: Kona Film Night (1.5 LU)

No RSVP Needed! Thursday, Oct 23, 5:30PM – 7:30PM, Kona: Donkey Mill Art Center (78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa)

AIA Honolulu invites the public to join in a free screening of “Building Bastille,” to be shown in Kona on Hawai‘i.

Film: “Building Bastille: the Impropable Story of the Paris Opera” (1h 16m).

OCT 25: Lil Design Workshop 2.0 on Oahu

REGISTER HERE (Opens Oct 3): Saturday Oct 25, 1PM – 5PM, Liljestrand House, Honolulu, Cost $85

Explore Your Creativity and Build Your Dreamhouse! The Liljestrand Foundation and AIA Honolulu invite youth ages 12-16 to join The Lil’ Design Workshop 2.0 at Liljestrand House. This hands-on architectural workshop offers participants a unique opportunity to learn about design principles, sketch their ideas, and construct a model of their very own dreamhouse- all while immersed in one of Hawaii’s architectural gems. Fee covers materials, food and drinks.

OCT 25: Hawaii Island Young Architects Workshop

Register on the DMAC Website! Saturday Oct 25, 10AM – 3PM, Donkey Mill Art Center

In this workshop students will work side by side with local architects and investigate design related concepts. For beginners ages 13-17.

Explore the intersection of architecture, art, and the natural world in this hands-on workshop for teens. Working with experienced mentors, you’ll design and build a scale model treehouse using sticks, cardboard, and creative problem-solving. Along the way, you'll learn key concepts in design, model-making, and visual documentation—while rethinking what it means to create shelter in harmony with nature.

OCT 30: Waimea Film Night (1.5 LU)

No RSVP Needed! Thursday, Oct 30, 5:30PM – 7:15PM, Waimea: W. M. Keck Observatory (65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela)

AIA Honolulu invites the public to join in a free screening of “Building Bastille,” to be shown in Waimea on Hawai‘i.

Film: “Building Bastille: the Impropable Story of the Paris Opera” (1h 16m).

OCT 30: Don't Be Afraid of the Architecture Profession

RSVP HERE! Thursday, Oct 30, 5:30PM – 7PM, Cosentino

This event is geared towards architecture students and recent graduates interested in next steps for their career.
Learn about life after architecture school, applying to firms, internships, portfolio review, interviews, the ARE exams, licensing, and more!

Past Events

2022 Event

This October, AIA Honolulu’s Architecture Month is On!

Free & For-Cost Events Open to Members and the Public

AIA National recently decided to move Architecture Month to October to align with World Architecture Day. After hosting Architecture Month in April for the past 16 years, AIA Honolulu is trying something new!

AIA Honolulu is announcing an exciting lineup of public events, featuring a fun mix of engaging free and for-cost events that highlight the power of good design in making our communities better places to live, work and play.

“By elevating awareness of architecture, we hope that people will be inspired by their surroundings,” said Jim Nicolow, FAIA, LEED Fellow, AIA Honolulu President. “Architecture month has always been about showcasing the various ways that the built environment impacts our community.”

AIA Honolulu Events

OCT 1 — Architectural Walking Tour of Chinatown (Sold Out)

This event is already sold out! Stay tuned for more dates for Chinatown Walking Tours; we intend to add as a regular opportunity alongside our popular Downtown Walking Tours.

Our AIA architectural walking tours are a great way to explore historic downtown Honolulu through the eyes of an architect or architectural historian. The tour provides architectural and historical insights about the fascinating buildings in Honolulu’s Chinatown.

OCT 4 — Architecture Month Kick-Off: Presentations Designing for Social Impact

Tuesday, October 4, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center, Free

Join us to Kick-off our Architecture Month in October by attending our Presentations on Designing for Social Impact on Tuesday, October 4 from 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM at the Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center.

Under the thematic umbrella of “BELONG: Better Together,” we will get to listen to inspiring presentations by AIA Honolulu members in the fast-paced PechaKucha-style: a total of 20 slides per presenter with only 20 seconds of commentary per slide.

Presenters:

Terry McFarland, AIA, LEED AP BD+C — Principal at AHL
Michael Brown, ASLA — Senior Associate at WATG
Kiana Otsuka — Vehicle Miles Traveled and Active Transportation Specialist at Hawaii State Energy Office Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
Andrea Aegerter, AIA, CDT, LEED Green Associate — Associate at Mason
Miyako Nishinakagawa — Exhibit Coordinator for Downtown Art Center
Aki Yoshida, AIA, LEED AP — Co-Owner of Hamajang Studio
Karolyn Jones — Student at University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Architecture
Cathi Ho Schar, FAIA, LEED AP — Assistant Professor at University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Architecture and Director of University of Hawaii Community Design Center
Dean Sakamoto, FAIA, LEED AP, SEED, NCARB — Principal at Dean Sakamoto Architects / SHADE Group and Executive Director of SHADE Institute

OCT 7 — AIA Honolulu Firm Crawl (Open House)

Friday, October 7, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Various AIA Honolulu Firms, Free

Have you ever wondered what goes on inside an architect’s office? Featuring a First Friday, Trick or Treat theme, visit up to 10 design firms in the central business district of downtown and adjacent areas during this open house. Many locations include pupu and drinks! Learn more about architectural design, interior design, planning, landscape design and meet the people shaping Hawai‘i’s built environment during this annual tradition that is open to the public.

OCT 13 — Waimea Film Night: "From Earth to Sky" (2 LUs)

Thursday, October 13, 5:45 PM – 8:00 PM, Keck's Jerry Nelson Conference Room, Free

AIA Honolulu invites the public to join in a free film presentation and open discussion showing From Earth to Sky, a 2021 feature-length documentary film by director Ron Chapman.

The film explores the work of seven unique and accomplished Indigenous Architects as they design and complete extraordinary 'buildings' in cities and communities across North America and Turtle Island. Beautiful and intimate, the film sparks a vital conversation paramount to transforming perspectives on how we approach our built environment.

OCT 14 - Oahu Film Night: "From Earth to Sky" (2 LUs)

Friday, October 14, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Center for Architecture, Free (donations suggested)

AIA Honolulu invites the public to join in a free film presentation and open discussion showing From Earth to Sky, a 2021 feature-length documentary film by director Ron Chapman.

OCT 15 — Medal of Honor Celebration

Saturday, October 15, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Pacific Club, Cost

Join AIA Hawaii State Council and the Hawaii Architectural Foundation as they present Chris J. Smith, FAIA, with its highest achievement, the Medal of Honor during a celebration reception at The Pacific Club.

The Medal of Honor awardee is one who has “significantly advanced the profession of architecture and, who by their leadership, has provided an inspiration to fellow practitioners.”

OCT 16 — Family Fun at the Center for Architecture: Pumpkin Carving

Sunday, October 16, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Center for Architecture, Free

Join AIA Honolulu on Sunday, October 16th for a pumpkin carving contest along Fort Street Mall. Supplies, including pumpkins and carving tools, will be provided.

$75 gift cards will be awarded to each of the following categories: Most Creative, Best Technical, and Best Pumpkitecture. Keiki and adults of all ages are welcome — FREE to attend, advanced registration is required.

OCT 17 — Kauai Film Night: "From Earth to Sky" (2 LUs)

Monday, October 17, 5:45 PM – 8:00 PM, Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, Free

AIA Honolulu invites the public to join in a free film presentation and open discussion showing From Earth to Sky, a 2021 feature-length documentary film by director Ron Chapman.

OCT 20 & 21 — DnA Hawaii 2022

Thursday, October 20 (Virtual) and Friday, October 21 (Prince Waikiki), Cost

AIA Honolulu is excited to announce our 2nd annual signature event, DnA: Design + Architecture! The event will take place virtually on Thursday, October 20 and in person on Friday, October 21, 2022.

More than a conference, DnA is a catalyst for connection and community. Beyond a convention, DnA is a showcase for innovation. Over two impactful days, we’ll spark conversation and bring forward the future of design and the built landscape. We’ve secured an exciting lineup of prominent local and mainland speakers to share their perspective on a wide variety of topics from resiliency and community innovation to housing and green infrastructure. You’ll hear from the best in architecture, design, and beyond while securing up to 10 hours of HSW certified AIA learning units. We’ll cap off our two days of programming with a chance to network what piqued our interest with friends and partners at a Pau Hana.

OCT 22 — Architectural Walking Tour in Kakaako (1.5 LU)

Saturday, October 22, 8:00 AM – 12:20 PM, Starting Point: Mother Waldron Park, Kakaako, $15
This popular guided walking tour focuses on the diverse neighborhood of Kakaako.

The tour begins with the check-in at the historic Mother Waldron Park, where the walkers will receive an overview of the master plan for the area. The route then loops up to Ke Kilohana project and then to Keauhou Lane, eventually ending at Salt. On the way, we will cover Pow!Wow! Hawaii artwork, a variety of interesting mixed-used and contemporary housing design solutions and get a sneak preview into the future of Kakaako with its 2 proposed HART stations.

Many of the featured projects have overcome challenges of budget and site constraints, resulting in elegant solutions that the community can feel great about.

OCT 22 — Urban Sketchers Oahu

Saturday, October 22, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Meeting Point: Mother Waldron Park in Kakaako, Free
Sketchers of all skill levels, join fellow artists on one of the above walking tours for a morning of sketching in any medium to chronicle this historic area. Participants will sketch for 2.5 hours, documenting the local scenes and making connections, and then gather for a show-and-tell social.

An informal get-together for sketchers of all experience levels.

OCT 27 — Kona Film Night: "From Earth to Sky" (2 LUs)

Thursday, October 27, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, Donkey Mill Art Center, Free

AIA Honolulu invites the public to join in a free film presentation and open discussion showing From Earth to Sky, a 2021 feature-length documentary film by director Ron Chapman.

OCT 29 — Architectural Photography Workshop with David Franzen & Linny Morris + architect Geoffrey Lewis, AIA (Cancelled)

Phone Photography – Strategies for Improved Shots

Learn strategies & techniques towards effective and artful digital photographs captured by your phone! Learn editing techniques that will expand the professionalism of your images.

Hear short lectures from two professional photographers at the Center for Architecture (or Zoom for neighbor island residents) before self-commuting to an industrial area to capture your shots. Pick up lunch on the way back to the Center for Architecture, where you will take place in a critique session and learning with the group.

Each participant will receive one (1) 16x20 mounted image as part of the seminar. Photos may also be displayed at the Center for Architecture for family and friends to see!

OCT 29 — Hawaii Island Young Architects Workshop: Design with Sunlight & Air

Saturday, October 29, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Donkey Mill Art Center, Cost

In this workshop students will work side by side with local architects and investigate daylighting and ventilation design concepts through drawing and model-building. For grades 6–12.

Mahalo to Our 2025 Architecture Month Sponsors!

Kauhale Sponsors

Mamalu Sponsors

Kahua Sponsors