All the Award-Winning Projects from the 2020 Design Excellence Awards

Check out this year’s winners of the Design Excellence Awards by ASID Hawaii Chapter.

The Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers announced the winners of its 2020 Design Excellence Awards in October — and we are excited to share with you the results. Read on to see the full list of award winners, from residential and commercial projects to custom design objects, student projects and honorees.

Residential: Small Space — Award of Honor

Lanikai Living

This 1970s-era townhouse was re-created into a livable space that’s great for entertaining and balances efficiency and functionality. It features midcentury modern design; celebrates light, air and emotional well-being; and makes the best use of the limited footprint.

Entrant: Bonnie Gao, Chuen Yee, ASID, and Christine Reimer, Allied ASID, of MCYIA Interior Architecture and Design

Residential: Small Residence — Award of Honor

The Joy of Downsizing

Settled in the quaint country town of Waimea on Hawaii Island is this remodeled cottage made for a couple looking to downsize. The 18-year-old home was updated to add charm and storage, with a reconfigured kitchen and bathroom layout and the use of stylish finishes and custom-built storage pieces.

Entrant: Denise Ray, ASID, of Denise Ray Interiors

Residential: Mid-Size Residence — Award of Honor

Laelae Residence

This home — steeped in rich history and charm — was able to maintain its original character while becoming a more functional abode for the family of seven. The overall design reuses some elements original to the home and keeps the initial footprint while adding on new spaces.

Entrant: Avery Solmssen, ASID, of Philpotts Interiors

Residential: Large Residence — Award of Excellence

Rhythm of Blues

A double-unit condo underwent a complete overhaul — transforming the cavelike space into a bright abode. The homeowner’s vision of bringing in light, white and ocean blues is now reality, throughout the whole home. A custom sculpture by Dale Chihuly over the dining table serves as the focal point in the room.

Entrant: Lisa Walsh, ASID, of Lisa Walsh Design

Residential: Large Residence — Award of Honor

Jupiter Island Residence

Located in Jupiter Island, Florida, this home serves as a weekend getaway and a place for entertaining. The contemporary home has a Bahamian feel — with all new furniture, materials, architectural treatments and layout.

Entrant: Lowell Tom, ASID, and Kristie Kiggins of Philpotts Interiors

Residential: Model Home/Condo — Award of Honor

Modern Luxury Condo

With a spectacular view and large spaces, this condo was reconfigured to reach its fullest potential. Now, it is an open, contemporary retreat with an entertainer’s dream kitchen, media area, and a fresh and modern design throughout.

Entrant: Amy Vail, ASID, and Susan Moss, ASID, LEED AP, of Trans-Pacific Design

Residential: Historic Renovation — Award of Excellence

Renovation of the Hobron/Lai Residence

A colonial revival-style residence underwent a major renovation, which included an addition. The renovation marries old and new — preserving and enriching the home’s historic characteristics while bringing in modern elements and a new garage and exercise room.

Entrant: Louis Fung, AIA, of Fung Associates Inc.

Custom Design Object — Award of Excellence

Ascension

For this custom design object, the designer worked on the staircase seen upon entering the foyer of this Maui home. The staircase needed to match the elegance of the rest of the home and make a statement of ascension.

Entrant: Lisa Walsh, ASID, of Lisa Walsh Design

Custom Design Object — Award of Honor

Contemporary Hokulia Home

A custom design piece was made to conceal a large flat-screen TV while providing a location for artwork in the great room of this home.

Entrants: Susan Moss, ASID, LEED AP and Amy Vail, Allied ASID, of Trans-Pacific Design

Sustainability — Award of Excellence

Keauhou Lane

Keauhou Lane is a six-story building with 209 affordable workforce apartments on top of ground-floor retail businesses in the heart of Honolulu. Developer Gerding Edlen collaborated with landowner Kamehameha Schools to cultivate healthy, sustainable living while preserving local art and culture — bridging cultural values with a vision of a sustainable community.

Entrant: Chuen Yee, ASID, Christine Reimer, Allied ASID, and Karen Cho of MCYIA Interior Architecture and Design

Commercial: Office Space — Award of Excellence & Grand Overall

King’s Hawaiian Executive Office

The King’s Hawaiian Executive Office reflects the company’s roots in Hawaii and fosters a community among those who work and visit the location in California. There’s a range of workspaces — from open seating to common areas — executive offices and a private kitchen.

Entrant: Lowell Tom, ASID, of Philpotts Interiors

Commercial: Office Space — Award of Honor

Caswell Orthodontics

This satellite office for Caswell Orthodontics in Kahala needed complete space planning and design. The design style reflects the client’s personable, fun and electric personality — with open spaces and fun colors and shapes.

Entrant: Geoffrey Lewis, AIA, and Jennifer (Nishio) Gushiken of Geoffrey Lewis Architect Inc.

Commercial: Hospitality — Award of Honor

Queen Kapiolani Hotel

The Queen Kapiolani Hotel underwent a renovation that included a new concept and design for its public spaces, guest rooms, restaurants and reception areas. The goal was to bring a fresh, contemporary feel to the classic 50-year-old Waikiki hotel.

Entrant: Lowell Tom, ASID, and Kristie Kiggins of Philpotts Interiors

Commercial: Restaurant/Bar — Award of Honor

Restaurant XO

After inheriting a Chinese restaurant from his parents, this client wanted to renovate and open a new restaurant in its place to showcase modern, local cuisine that incorporates homestyle comfort food. Restaurant XO, named after a special Chinese sauce to pay homage to the owner’s heritage, is now open in Kaimuki.

Entrant: Chuen Yee, ASID, Christine Reimer, Allied ASID, and Bonnie Gao of MCYIA Interior Architecture and Design

Commercial: Healthcare Facility — Award of Honor

Kobayashi & Kosasa Family Dining Room

The Kobayashi & Kosasa Family Dining Room in the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children offers a space of rest, respite and rejuvenation. The 14,000-square-foot dining room, which can seat 227, includes an outdoor lanai, three conference rooms and an interactive Keiki Zone.

Entrant: Minatsu (Mitz) Toguchi, IIDA, and Lisa Nguyen, Allied ASID, of Peter Vincent Architects

Student Project — Award of Excellence

The Glacier

For this student project, the task was to transform the public spaces of a boutique hotel that attracts locals and tourists with unique amenities, using the hotel’s existing footprint. The designers had to determine programs, do space planning, select and specify materials and finishes, and create construction documents, renderings and a video walk-through. The Glacier’s design captures serenity from nature, conveys a sense of arrival with focal points in main areas and creates intimate gathering spaces.

Entrant: Jacqueline Harbin, Student ASID, and Aurelia Vining of Chaminade University of Honolulu

Student Project — Award of Honor

Montessori Laboratory School

For this student project, the student designer needed to complete an entire design process — from concept to completion — to create a unique, playful and adaptive learning environment. For the Montessori Laboratory School’s design, there’s ample lighting, a redesigned storage space and increased accessibility.

Entrant: Samantha Mortimer, Student ASID, of Chaminade University of Honolulu

2020 ASID Hawaii Chapter Honorees — Lifetime Service Award

Nancy Schur, ASID CAPS EDAC NCIDQ, of Universal Design

Nancy Schur of Universal Design was awarded the Lifetime Service Award. Since 1997, Schur has held seven board positions and remains active on several committees, including the National Ethics Committee. She continues to provide support and assistance to board members and helps out with fundraising efforts and more.

2020 ASID Hawaii Chapter Honorees — Chapter Industry Partner Merit Award

Meagan Jensen of Bella Pietra Design, ASID Industry Partner

Meagan Jensen of Bella Pietra Design was awarded the Chapter Industry Partner Merit Award. Jensen continues to be an avid supporter of the ASID Hawaii Chapter and provides assistance and support at membership and board meetings, chapter events and so much more.

2020 ASID Hawaii Chapter Honorees — Emerging Professional Award

Lisa Nguyen, Allied ASID, of Peter Vincent Architects

Lisa Nguyen was awarded the Emerging Professional Award. Nguyen holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Environmental + Interior Design, from Chaminade University of Honolulu. She serves as the current membership director for the ASID Hawaii Chapter and has done community service work for the Girl Scouts of Hawaii, the Chaminade student-mentor program and more. Nguyen works as an associate project manager/interior designer for Peter Vincent Architects.

View the video announcement of the 2020 Design Excellence Awards here.