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Thank you to Architectural Digest for including our design in your article on Hawaii’s most luxurious property developments. See the full article here.
Firm Principal Randy Shortridge was recently quoted in luxury real estate periodical Mansion Global. [au]workshop’s design for the Mandarin Oriental Honolulu, including the cantilevered sky garden and extensive private lanais, was one of several designs discussed in the context of a rising demand for a connection to the outdoors in urban environments.
“ ‘A connection to nature is vital to everyone’s health and wellbeing,’ said Randy Shortridge, cofounder of [au]workshop and architect of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental in Honolulu. ‘People need sunlight and value the long view, the ability to see the horizon. Landscaping stimulates all the senses, too.’ ”
- Mansion Global - “The Ultimate Amenity”
Read the full article, also featuring design from MAD Architects and Skidmore Owings & Merrill and discussions with developers, here, and see additional drawings and renderings at our project page.
The sky garden at the Mandarin Oriental Honolulu Hotel and residences greets guests with a infinity-edge reflecting pool that reconnects them to the horizon.
For all the non-architects out there, a short explanation may be necessary. The design/construction schedule from our perspective is typically described in five stages (though there is some variation in how different architects mark their progress):
1. Conceptual Design/Entitlements: Initial programming and conceptual layout, preliminary city approvals
2. Schematic Design (SD): Establishment of key relationships and functionality, early development of key design elements, early (and on-going) coordination with Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Structural engineering drawings
3. Design Development (DD): Early development of key details and further coordination with MEP/Structural drawings
4. Construction Documents (CDs): Production of documentation necessary to price and construct the project, including full coordination with MEP/Structural drawings
5. Construction Administration (CA): Continued coordination of documented elements with the construction process in the field
This whole process is also happening simultaneously within the interior design and landscape architecture disciplines, while also coordinating with the architectural team.
Whew! This is all to explain that the Mandarin Oriental Honolulu project is progressing according to schedule, with 100% SD (Schematic Design) having just been completed! We have updated our project page accordingly, with some brand new images and information. As part of developing the design, we've done extensive exploration and modeling in 3d, so we also wanted to share a quick video overview we produced. We're excited to move into Design Development as we begin the new year!
[au]workshop is thrilled to announce that the world-renowned Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will be operating the Mana'olana Place Hotel and Residences as the Mandarin Oriental, Honolulu.
A few selections from the Mandarin Oriental and Salem Partners press releases:
“We are delighted with this opportunity to open a hotel in Honolulu and look forward to bringing Mandarin Oriental’s legendary hospitality back to Hawaii,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental. “This new development will be a welcome addition to the brand’s expansion around the world,” he added.
“We are proud to bring the award-winning Mandarin Oriental brand to Honolulu,” said James Ratkovich of Salem Partners. “Mandarin Oriental, Honolulu will set a new standard for luxury service in the islands and will offer a preferred choice to travelers and potential homeowners who desire the finest accommodation,” he added. “We look forward to revitalizing this area at the gateway to Waikiki with the first TOD project in the city and bringing jobs, economic benefits, housing and a world-class hotel to Honolulu.”
We are excited to have the privilege to continue to work closely with the Mandarin group as the project continues to develop.
For more information about the project, please see our project page, or the Mandarin Oriental or Salem Partners press releases.