Introduction

Background

In 2017-2018 the University of Hawai‘i Community Design Center (UHCDC) worked with the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges (UHCC) to produce a proof of concept (POC) program and design for a Center for Workforce Excellence, to house UHCC classroom and administrative spaces, DOE offices, and Wahiawā State Library functions. In 2021, the state appropriated $42 million for the planning, design, and construction of the project, which will be managed by DOE. DOE is interested in updating the proof of concept program and design to reflect recent discussions involving an expanded program, new partners, and design revisions based on the feedback generated from the original proof of concept design study.

University of Hawai’i Community Design Center

The University of Hawai’i Community Design Center (UHCDC) was established in 2016 as a hybrid teaching practice and outreach initiative, to provide a new platform for students, staff, faculty, and partnered professionals to collaborate on interdisciplinary applied research, planning, and design projects that serve the public interest. The center’s projects offer research-based design and service-learning opportunities for students through academic instruction, internship, and post-graduate employment. This practice model was developed to serve at the intersection of the university, government, and community, capitalizing on the university’s ability to act as an in-house resource for the state government.

Proof of Concept

Proof of Concept describes a scope of work that includes stakeholder involvement, applied research, and conceptual planning and design investigation that informs the state agencies ahead of annual budget requests and procurement of professionals. These services are preliminary and typically include but are not limited to a set of analyses, applied research, design schemes, criteria, and initial costs that assist with CIP justification and project definition. Proof of Concept services are typically ahead of and not in lieu of design services provided by professional consultants. However, Proof of Concept services can be continued concurrently to professional consultants to oversee the continuity of the Proof of Concept intents. As an exploratory or informational instrument, the proof of concept design may not be fully resolved. It should, however, represent the critical issues that need to be addressed in the future development of the project.

Scope of Work

Meeting #1 Kick-off Meeting #2 Stakeholder Review Meeting #3 Stakeholder Review Meeting #4 Stakeholder Review Meeting #5 Revised Program Initial 0% Cost Estimate Meeting #6 Design Options (floor plans, site plan) Meeting #7 Revised Design Options (floor plans, site plan) Final Report Submission