MAʻO Organic Farms Punanue Learning Center Main Building
North Shore, Oahu
Urban Works collaborated with planning firm Townscape Inc. and MA`O Organic Farms on a master plan to develop a 90-acre parcel on the North Shore of Oahu which would support MAʻO’s farming enterprise and mentorship program.
The main building includes a packing shed for processing harvested crops, and preparing the produce for distribution, multipurpose space used as a restaurant in the evenings and as meeting/learning space during the day, and administrative spaces to support MA`O’s agricultural enterprise and educational outreach programs. Covered lanai spaces offer chances for fellowship, presentations and performances, and outdoor lawn spaces beyond the building will host public functions and events.
The building works with the sloping topography to minimize site cost and seeks to be an appropriate fit in the physical and symbolic landscape of Punanue. The building is located on high ground overlooking the fields, Kamehameha Highway and the Pacific Ocean. A linear split-level scheme was developed, with the packing shed situated on the upper half-level, next to the rear service road and worker parking lot. The public functions of restaurant and education space and administrative offices are located on the lower half-level and have ocean views.