Hilo Elementary School

4th Year BArch, Professor Youngjin Hwang & Eva Kultermann, Fall 2025

Softwares: Rhino, Climate Studio, Lumion, Illustrator, Photoshop

Designed for sustainability and education, this elementary school features passive systems specific to Hawaii’s hot, humid, and rainy climate to maintain thermal comfort throughout the building. All the roof typologies harvest rainwater and channel it into a living machine that filters both rain and grey water. The site’s steep topography is transformed into stepped portions that guide water and serve as interactive elements for the users. This school creates a unique, hands-on learning experience where students engage directly with water harvesting and filtration systems.

Climate Studio: Total Building Energy Use Analysis

Entrance Scheme

Exploded Axonometric

View of Northern Classrooms

Window Typology

3 Roof Typologies

Site Plan

Interior Perspective

Site Section

1. Roof Slope 2. Skylights 3. Visitor Center 4. Constructed Wetlands 5. Educational Garden 6. Parking 7. Soccer Field 8. Playground 9. Rain Garden 10. Outdoor Learning 11. Community Plaza

Water Cycle

Building Floor Plan

North Classrooms Plan

Building Section

1. Kindergarten - 2nd 2. 3rd - 4th 3. 5th - 6th 4. Core Classes 5. Library 6. Gym 7. Lunchroom 8. Admin 9. Lobby / Gallery 10. Restrooms 11. Kitchen

Building Wall Section

Cafeteria / Gym Wall Section