World Language Center Receives Honorable Mention at 2025 AIA Honolulu Design Awards

Thrilled to announce that on July 25, the DSA-designed Niu Valley Middle School (NVMS) World Language Center was honored with an Honorable Mention at the 2025 AIA Honolulu Design Awards Gala, held at the Prince Waikiki Hotel.

The Niu Valley Middle School World Language Center is a 21st "C" School building that integrates learning with the natural environment. This project addressed 3 challenges:

• The need for a language studies facility required by the International Baccalaureate (IB) program certification.

• The demand for additional covered space to accommodate extra lunch tables, as the existing cafetorium was too small.

• The principal’s request for a building designed to minimize maintenance and repair costs.

The NVMS World Language Center was thoughtfully designed to offer both open and controlled indoor and outdoor environments. The Learning Lanai and Quiet Lanai expand the classroom's instructional space outdoors, under the cool shade. Additionally, classrooms are passively ventilated due to its orientation to the prevailing trade winds, ventilated ceiling cavity, deep roof overhangs, and strategically placed openings. A custom barn door optimizes the passive ventilation strategy of the building design while balancing interior daylighting and enhancing access to the outdoors. This design helps keep the building comfortable and energy-efficient while giving students more ways to learn both inside and outside, surrounded by fresh air and natural light.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our team:

Niu Valley Middle School

Miyamoto Consulting Engineers LLC

Albert Chong Associates Inc

Inatsuka Engineering LLC

Kai Hawaii Inc

Ki Concepts LLC

Hirata & Associates Inc

J.Uno & Associates Inc

Nash Architectural Solutions LLC

Controlpoint Surveying Inc

S&M Sakamoto Inc.

Close Construction Inc.

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​World Language Center | My Site