Q1 2024 Architecture Outlook feat. G70
High construction costs and permit delays continue to be two of the most pressing challenges facing the construction industry. While there are no magic formulas for getting permit approvals, we have developed strategies to reduce the time involved.
Q&A with: Charles Kaneshiro,
AIA, LEED AP President & COO,
G7O
Many of your customers and clients are facing huge challenges this year. What are those challenges and how can you help them?
High construction costs and permit delays continue to be two of the most pressing challenges facing the construction industry.
One strategy to reduce construction costs is to pursue the Adaptive Reuse of existing buildings. Rather than building new, Adaptive Reuse retains the existing foundation, structure, and main infrastructure systems. G70 has a multitude of Adaptive Reuse projects for private and public clients throughout the state. A key to making these projects work is doing an early due diligence study of the potential project. This evaluation studies the structure and infrastructure to learn whether a renovation is viable and what the potential cost might be.
Permit delays continue to be a challenge for all projects. While there are no magic formulas for getting permit approvals, we have developed strategies to reduce the time involved. Early involvement of your design team is vital to making these strategies work. Addressing Historic/Cultural Preservation is key to expediting the permit process, if your building is over 50 years old, an evaluation of the historic character of the building may be required. The archaeological characteristics of the land must also be evaluated whether you have an existing building on the land or not. G70’s Planning division is extremely well versed in this area of practice with several individuals who specialize in historic/cultural preservation.
What is the most important change or trend impacting your industry in 2024?
Resiliency is top of mind for everyone especially after the Maui wildfires. How do we avoid future wildfires in other communities in our state? How do we provide temporary and permanent housing? What do we rebuild and how can we create a more sustainable/resilient future? These are huge questions before all of us. G70 is involved on multiple fronts on Maui but the answers to these vital questions must come from leadership, and ultimately from the community.
111 S. King Street, Suite 170
Honolulu, Hawai’i 96813
(808) 523-5866 | https://g70.design
