INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
We believe that the interior environment can greatly enhance individual well-being and performance while providing for and fostering an organization’s mission.
DESIGN MATTERS
Spatial environments have a direct impact on the well-being and performance of an organization. Ferraro Choi creates spaces that enhance and elevate the occupant experience while expressing the organization’s mission and purpose.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Defining priorities and desired outcomes is key to a successful project.
We work closely with clients to set clear goals, establish budgets and schedules, and assemble a project team tailored to the project’s specific needs. Our approach is guided by key principles:
Designing with client goals and functionality as the foundation
Creating spaces that enhance occupant health and comfort
Integrating sustainable best practices for efficiency and longevity
Delivering innovative solutions that maximize impact within budget and schedule
FEATURED INTERIORS PROJECTS
HAWAII EMPLOYER’S MUTUAL
INSURANCE COMPANY (HEMIC)
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
HEMIC’s new corporate office was designed to foster collaboration, connection, and flexibility in an evolving hybrid work environment. Prioritizing both in-person and remote work, the space includes a range of environments—from solo work areas to large ‘all-hands’ meeting spaces—ensuring employees can focus, engage, and come together as a team.
Rooted in HEMIC’s kama‘āina values, the design reflects the company’s culture while creating a dynamic, welcoming atmosphere for staff and visitors alike. Thoughtful spatial planning integrates branding elements throughout, reinforcing the company’s mission. The result is an innovative, adaptable workspace that supports productivity while fostering a sense of community.
Year Completed: 2021
Service Type: Interiors
Size: 31,605 Sq. Ft.
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This project was a transitional turning point and provided a blank canvas to renovate and rehabilitate the interior spaces of the 1970’s building which was sitting unoccupied for years into a modern 21st century workplace, and to reflect and facilitate HEMIC’s values and mission to their staff and policyholders. They are the only company in Hawaii where the Owners are the policyholders, many of which include established and respected non-profit organizations enabling the betterment of Hawaii’s communities and people in need.
The scope of the project entailed the interior renovation of approximately 31,000 square feet of the building’s interior area of 59,000 square feet. HEMIC occupies 8 of the building’s 12 stories, including the basement. The other floors will be used to sublease and serve as future expansion space for the organization. The common elevator lobbies and restrooms on the unoccupied floors were also renovated and the sub-lease areas are being left as loft spaces for prospective tenants to renovate to their needs. Each floor encompasses approximately 4,200 square feet on average which allows for plentiful daylighting and views to the outside.
HCDA / HTDC
ENTREPRENEURS SANDBOX
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
The Entrepreneurs Sandbox is the first phase of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation’s (HTDC’s) vision to transform Kaka‘ako Makai into a mixed-use Innovation District supporting high-tech industry growth. Designed as a community hub for innovation, the facility provides collaborative workspaces, prototyping labs, and digital media production studios to help entrepreneurs bring ideas to life.
The 13,500 sq. ft. space includes co-working areas, a Makery Lab, a creative media studio, rentable offices, and mentoring spaces. The design reflects Kaka‘ako’s industrial character while maintaining an inviting, street-front presence that fosters collaboration and creativity. The project received multiple AIA Honolulu awards for architecture and interior design.
Year Completed: 2019
Service Type: Architecture + Interiors
Size: 13,500 Sq. Ft.
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In partnership with the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA), the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) planned to establish new facilities on “Lot C” in the Kakaako Makai District. HCDA and HTDC commissioned Ferraro Choi to develop designs at both the urban and building scale.
The Master Plan provides planning guidelines to transform the existing 5.5 acre surface parking lot into a mixed-use innovation district linked with the adjacent John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and the Kakaako Waterfront Park. This will offer residents and visitors a central location with convenient access to and from the Honolulu International Airport, urban Honolulu, and Waikiki. The Innovation Block will:
Foster public and private community development
Encourage collaboration and innovation between research, commercial, education, and high tech enterprises
Incorporate public recreational uses, pedestrian access, and public parking
Two new LEED Silver-equivalent buildings within the Innovation Block will further expand HTDC’s initiatives:
The Entrepreneur’s Sandbox will offer budding entrepreneurs collaborative and flexible work places.
The Kewalo Incubation Center will provide start-up companies with leased office and lab spaces with in-house business mentorship programs and networking opportunities.
LILI’UOKALANI TRUST
16TH FLOOR OFFICES
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
In 2020, Lili’uokalani Trust (LT) expanded their corporate headquarters at the Alakea Corporate Tower by developing new offices on the 16th floor. The full floor renovation of 5,000 Sq.Ft. involved relocating LT’s executive and financial team to create a modern innovative and efficient workplace that would foster transparency, collaboration, flexibility, and fun for all of LT’s team members to enjoy.
Year Completed: 2019
Service Type: Interiors
Size: 5,080 Sq. Ft.
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Flexibility and Comfort. The design team used the irregularly shaped floor plate to their advantage by creating both social and private spaces throughout the office. This included creating a lanai-esque greenhouse room for head down work and private meetings, as well as incorporating collaboration areas with flexible furniture that could be used to host a variety of uses from staff meetings to Nerf-basketball to table tennis games.
Design Elements. For an industrial feel, the design team chose concrete flooring and open ceilings for the active zones, along with natural plants throughout the space. To add warmth, wood finishes and fabrics were incorporated, along with pops of color and graphics that reflect LT’s branding, including a custom sliding acoustical felt wall screen along the Conference Room, that also created visual privacy for meetings.
