The Understanding Density project is rooted in a survey of multifamily typologies and neighborhood core samples spanning rural to urban conditions across the Hawaiian archipelago.

This effort explored how to expand the general understanding of “density,” demonstrate possibilities for "comfortable density," and inspire walkable, sustainable, and equitable communities where density can be “done right.” A set of guiding questions led to density studies at three scales: Neighborhood, Lot/Block, and Unit. At each scale, a series of tools were created in two categories—for “measuring” density and for “testing possibilities.”

At the neighborhood scale, the Plan Your Neighborhood app visualizes different massing possibilities in real time. Developed in collaboration with architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox and their urban interface initiative, KPF UI, the app is built on their award-winning software Scout. For this project, Scout was specifically tailored to the Hawaiian context and landscape, including unique architecture typologies.

Understanding Density was conducted in parallel with the Future of Hawai‘i’s Housing project and served as the foundation for the Understanding Density Visualization Catalog, a key component of the Holistic Housing Design Toolkit available at the Hawai‘i Housing Lab.

For: Hawai'i Public Housing Authority

Status: Phase 1 complete. Traveling exhibition forthcoming.

Type: Design Research

Partners / Collaborators: Kohn Pedersen Fox Urban Interface was a collaborator for the Plan Your Neighborhood app

Production Team: Research Associates: 'Eiwa Colburn, Jason Hashimoto, Charles Palanza, Christopher Songvilay. Project Assistants: Micah Axalan, Christina Holcom, Renz Laforteza, Vivianne Nguyen, Rand Oshiro, Griffin Ward, Hunter Wells

Photography: Tom Takata Photography