Business Details
42 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Design Partner in Honolulu, HI
Founded in 1984, Urban Works is a collaborative architecture and design firm rooted in thoughtful client engagement and innovative problem-solving. Our practice integrates over four decades of experience in planning, architectural design, and interior spaces, serving both private and public sector clients across diverse project types. With a team led by founding principals John Ida and Lorrin Matsunaga, we prioritize sustainable design, cultural sensitivity, and technical excellence while maintaining deep ties to local and global communities. Our work spans education, healthcare, housing, and civic projects, reflecting a commitment to creating environments that enhance human well-being.Recognized for award-winning projects like the Honolulu Fire Department Headquarters and Smithsonian Institution facilities, we combine rigorous design processes with LEED-certified expertise to deliver solutions tailored to unique site contexts. Active participation in professional organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and community initiatives underscores our dedication to ethical practice and social responsibility. With offices in Honolulu, we continue to evolve as a nimble firm that bridges vernacular traditions with contemporary design challenges.
Services
Architectural Design
Urban Planning
Sustainable Design
Interior Architecture
LEED Certification Consulting
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of experience in architectural design and urban planning.
- Our team includes LEED-certified professionals committed to sustainable design.
- We maintain active leadership roles in the American Institute of Architects.
- Our award-winning portfolio spans civic, educational, and healthcare projects.
- We prioritize community engagement through local initiatives and partnerships.
Associations and certifications
- LEED AP
Services
Architectural Design
We create innovative architectural solutions for civic, educational, and commercial projects. Our process combines technical expertise with cultural sensitivity to deliver functional spaces that enhance community well-being. Projects include stadiums, schools, and healthcare facilities across Hawaii and international locations.
Urban Planning
Our urban planning services focus on sustainable development and master planning for mixed-use communities. We integrate transportation systems, public spaces, and housing solutions while respecting environmental contexts. Notable projects include campus master plans and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.
Sustainable Design
We specialize in environmentally responsible design through LEED-certified practices. Our team incorporates energy-efficient systems and locally sourced materials to minimize ecological impact while maintaining aesthetic integrity across residential, commercial, and institutional projects.
Interior Architecture
Our interior architecture services create functional, aesthetically cohesive spaces for educational, healthcare, and residential environments. We focus on human-centered design that balances practical needs with cultural and environmental considerations.
LEED Certification Consulting
We guide clients through LEED certification processes for new and existing buildings. Our consultants provide technical expertise on sustainable materials, energy systems, and water conservation strategies to achieve certification goals.
People
John Ida
Founding Partner & President
With over 40 years of experience, John Ida leads Urban Works' multidisciplinary teams while maintaining active community involvement. A former AIA Honolulu President, he specializes in complex project management and holds degrees from the University of Hawaii and University of Washington.
Lorrin Matsunaga
Founding Partner
Lorrin Matsunaga shapes the firm's design philosophy through award-winning civic and educational projects. He teaches at the University of Hawaii School of Architecture and brings 30+ years of experience in sustainable design solutions for public institutions.
Vu Le
Project Designer & Associate
Vu Le specializes in transit design and LEED-certified projects. With experience across five countries, he ensures design quality through construction documentation while contributing expertise in sustainable building practices.
Noelle Yempuku
Project Designer
Noelle Yempuku focuses on culturally responsive design rooted in Hawaiian ecological principles. Her work includes memorials, athletic complexes, and healthcare facilities informed by her doctoral research on Native Hawaiian worldviews in architecture.
Jessa Dela Cruz
Junior Designer
Jessa Dela Cruz brings community-focused design values to residential and public projects. A University of Hawaii graduate, she emphasizes the relationship between human well-being and built environments in her emerging practice.
Questions
What architectural services does Urban Works offer?
We provide architectural design, urban planning, interior architecture, and LEED certification consulting for educational, healthcare, civic, and residential projects.
How long has Urban Works been in business?
Urban Works was founded in 1984 and has completed projects across Hawaii, Texas, Korea, Taiwan, and mainland China.
Does Urban Works specialize in sustainable design?
Yes, we incorporate LEED-certified practices and sustainable materials in projects ranging from commercial buildings to residential developments.
What community initiatives does Urban Works support?
We actively engage with Hawaii Meals On Wheels, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and local AIA chapters to support community development.
Can Urban Works handle complex institutional projects?
Our team has extensive experience managing complex projects like the Smithsonian Institution facilities and university campus developments.
