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An urban adaptive re-use project designed by Group 70 International, Inc., Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM) Sculpture Garden opened in May 2012. Located in the historic Hawaii State Capitol District, the Sculpture Garden is a place where locals and tourists, both young and old, can relax and be transported into an environment of discovery that stimulates the senses. It is a place where you can stroll inside the former pool and literally "walk on water", enjoy lunch under a photovoltaic art canopy covering the old bleachers, and enjoy artwork by local artists. Weaving high-tech with historic and cool waters with warm tones, the Garden provides a sensory experience of river rocks and gravel crunching underfoot, leaves rustling from the cool breeze and warm sunlight casting artistic shadows.
An educational destination for local schools, the Garden's photovoltaic art canopy demonstrates the marrying of architecture, science, and art, transforming the next generation's view of solar energy. Group 70 transformed the unused, barricaded, poorly maintained swimming pool with overgrown landscape into a public venue celebrating the diverse ethnic cultures and arts of the islands.
The HiSAM Sculpture garden and front lawn renovation is the completion of Group 70‘s ten year master plan for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. This re-conceptualized the entry level and second floors into the Hawaii State Art Museum, Visitor's Centre, HiSAM Gift Shop and sub-leased café in this nationally registered historic building.
This project successfully reduces liability and safety concerns and eliminated maintenance, equipment and water bills associated with the unused pool. The renovation also addresses historic preservation challenges by providing several remembrances of the former pool and deck. Hardscape patterns and specialty tiles recall original design elements and the encapsulation of the existing pool and deck was designed to allow restoration of the pool if desired in the future.