INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
We believe that the interior environment can greatly enhance individual well-being and performance while providing for and fostering an organization’s mission.
DESIGN MATTERS
Spatial environments have a direct impact on the well-being and performance of an organization. Ferraro Choi creates spaces that enhance and elevate the occupant experience while expressing the organization’s mission and purpose.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Defining priorities and desired outcomes is key to a successful project.
We work closely with clients to set clear goals, establish budgets and schedules, and assemble a project team tailored to the project’s specific needs. Our approach is guided by key principles:
Designing with client goals and functionality as the foundation
Creating spaces that enhance occupant health and comfort
Integrating sustainable best practices for efficiency and longevity
Delivering innovative solutions that maximize impact within budget and schedule
FEATURED INTERIORS PROJECTS
HEMIC
BANK OF HAWAII - PRIVATE BANK
HAWAII FOODBANK
HCDA / HTDC ENTREPRENEURS SANDBOX
HA NEIGHBOR ISLAND TICKETING LOBBIES
BOH MAIN BRANCH RENOVATION
LILI’UOKALANI TRUST 16TH FLOOR OFFICES
UH MĀNOA IT SERVICE CENTER
HAWAII EMPLOYER’S MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY (HEMIC)
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
HEMIC’s new corporate office was designed to foster collaboration, connection, and flexibility in an evolving hybrid work environment. Prioritizing both in-person and remote work, the space includes a range of environments—from solo work areas to large ‘all-hands’ meeting spaces—ensuring employees can focus, engage, and come together as a team.
Rooted in HEMIC’s kama‘āina values, the design reflects the company’s culture while creating a dynamic, welcoming atmosphere for staff and visitors alike. Thoughtful spatial planning integrates branding elements throughout, reinforcing the company’s mission. The result is an innovative, adaptable workspace that supports productivity while fostering a sense of community.
Year Completed: 2021
Service Type: Interiors
Size: 31,605 Sq. Ft.
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This project was a transitional turning point and provided a blank canvas to renovate and rehabilitate the interior spaces of the 1970’s building which was sitting unoccupied for years into a modern 21st century workplace, and to reflect and facilitate HEMIC’s values and mission to their staff and policyholders. They are the only company in Hawaii where the Owners are the policyholders, many of which include established and respected non-profit organizations enabling the betterment of Hawaii’s communities and people in need.
The scope of the project entailed the interior renovation of approximately 31,000 square feet of the building’s interior area of 59,000 square feet. HEMIC occupies 8 of the building’s 12 stories, including the basement. The other floors will be used to sublease and serve as future expansion space for the organization. The common elevator lobbies and restrooms on the unoccupied floors were also renovated and the sub-lease areas are being left as loft spaces for prospective tenants to renovate to their needs. Each floor encompasses approximately 4,200 square feet on average which allows for plentiful daylighting and views to the outside.
HCDA / HTDC
ENTREPRENEURS SANDBOX
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
The Entrepreneurs Sandbox is the first phase of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation’s (HTDC’s) vision to transform Kaka‘ako Makai into a mixed-use Innovation District supporting high-tech industry growth. Designed as a community hub for innovation, the facility provides collaborative workspaces, prototyping labs, and digital media production studios to help entrepreneurs bring ideas to life.
The 13,500 sq. ft. space includes co-working areas, a Makery Lab, a creative media studio, rentable offices, and mentoring spaces. The design reflects Kaka‘ako’s industrial character while maintaining an inviting, street-front presence that fosters collaboration and creativity. The project received multiple AIA Honolulu awards for architecture and interior design.
Year Completed: 2019
Service Type: Architecture + Interiors
Size: 13,500 Sq. Ft.
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In partnership with the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA), the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) planned to establish new facilities on “Lot C” in the Kakaako Makai District. HCDA and HTDC commissioned Ferraro Choi to develop designs at both the urban and building scale.
The Master Plan provides planning guidelines to transform the existing 5.5 acre surface parking lot into a mixed-use innovation district linked with the adjacent John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and the Kakaako Waterfront Park. This will offer residents and visitors a central location with convenient access to and from the Honolulu International Airport, urban Honolulu, and Waikiki. The Innovation Block will:
Foster public and private community development
Encourage collaboration and innovation between research, commercial, education, and high tech enterprises
Incorporate public recreational uses, pedestrian access, and public parking
Two new LEED Silver-equivalent buildings within the Innovation Block will further expand HTDC’s initiatives:
The Entrepreneur’s Sandbox will offer budding entrepreneurs collaborative and flexible work places.
The Kewalo Incubation Center will provide start-up companies with leased office and lab spaces with in-house business mentorship programs and networking opportunities.
LILI’UOKALANI TRUST
16TH FLOOR OFFICES
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
In 2020, Lili’uokalani Trust (LT) expanded their corporate headquarters at the Alakea Corporate Tower by developing new offices on the 16th floor. The full floor renovation of 5,000 Sq.Ft. involved relocating LT’s executive and financial team to create a modern innovative and efficient workplace that would foster transparency, collaboration, flexibility, and fun for all of LT’s team members to enjoy.
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Flexibility and Comfort. The design team used the irregularly shaped floor plate to their advantage by creating both social and private spaces throughout the office. This included creating a lanai-esque greenhouse room for head down work and private meetings, as well as incorporating collaboration areas with flexible furniture that could be used to host a variety of uses from staff meetings to Nerf-basketball to table tennis games.
Design Elements. For an industrial feel, the design team chose concrete flooring and open ceilings for the active zones, along with natural plants throughout the space. To add warmth, wood finishes and fabrics were incorporated, along with pops of color and graphics that reflect LT’s branding, including a custom sliding acoustical felt wall screen along the Conference Room, that also created visual privacy for meetings.
Year Completed: 2019
Service Type: Interiors
Size: 5,080 Sq. Ft.
BANK OF HAWAII - PRIVATE BANK
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Ferraro Choi reimagined Bank of Hawaii’s private banking space to enhance client experience and operational efficiency. Inspired by the bank’s Navigation theme, the design incorporates Polynesian navigation and Hawaiiana through materials, architectural forms, and locally curated art. A curved, illuminated soffit symbolizes celestial navigation, while a fishnet chandelier represents abundance. A decorative screen at reception reflects Hawaii’s oceans, mountains, and waterways that sustain island life. These elements come together to create a welcoming and sophisticated environment where clients can comfortably conduct financial transactions. Thoughtful integration of cultural and natural references ensures the space aligns with the bank’s mission while offering a refined and engaging atmosphere.
Year Completed: 2019
Service Type: Interior Architecture
Size: 22,800 Sq. Ft.
HAWAII FOODBANK
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
As the demand for food assistance grew, Hawaii Foodbank needed to expand its office space to better support its staff and operations. Ferraro Choi was engaged to redesign and optimize the two-story office within their existing warehouse, ensuring a more efficient, functional, and comfortable workspace while allowing food distribution services to continue uninterrupted. The renovation expanded the second floor into the warehouse, creating a larger, dividable conference room, a dedicated volunteer meeting space, additional private offices, and open work areas. A new air-conditioned break room was added to provide comfort for warehouse staff. Careful planning and collaboration with the client and contractors allowed construction to proceed without disrupting critical food distribution operations. This redesigned facility enables Hawaii Foodbank to continue its mission more effectively, strengthening its ability to serve the local community
Year Completed: 2018
Service Type: Interior Architecture
Size: 7,443 Sq. Ft.
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES NEIGHBOR ISLAND TICKETING LOBBIES
Kona-Hilo-Kahalui-Lihue, Hawaii
Inspired by “the journey of the guests,” the design for Neighbor Island ticketing and check-in lobbies draws from ancient Hawaiian outrigger canoes as a metaphor for modern air travel, reflecting the transition from land to sea to sky. Ferraro Choi collaborated with Hawaiian Airlines’ cultural consultant to develop island-specific graphic symbols, integrating them into check-in counters for a unified yet flexible design that accommodates varying airport regulations. The renovation included new check-in counters, decorative wall panels, digital and static signage, lighting, and queuing stanchions—all completed on a compressed timeline to minimize operational disruptions
Year Completed: 2019
Service Type: Interior Architecture
Size: Varies by Location
BANK OF HAWAII - MAIN BRANCH RENOVATION
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
As retail banking evolves, Bank of Hawaii has embraced the future with a next-generation branch design that enhances customer engagement and convenience. The Navigation theme—“helping customers navigate their futures through smart financial choices”—guides the space, integrating personal service with self-service options. The design balances face-to-face interactions with digital solutions, featuring a centralized help center, strategically placed ATMs, and enhanced customer consultation rooms for a more personalized experience. Located at the heart of Honolulu’s business district, the flagship branch underwent a major transformation to reflect this new banking model. Updates include a reduced teller bar, expanded private consultation spaces, a central help desk, and state-of-the-art digital signage. Natural materials and an open lobby create a welcoming atmosphere, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to customer connection while maintaining a strong presence in the city’s business community.
Year Completed: 2017
Service Type: Interior Architecture
Size: 5,435 Sq. Ft.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICE CENTER at UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MĀNOA
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Located in the heart of the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, the Information Technology Center consolidates and enhances statewide IT services for the entire UH system. The facility houses critical data infrastructure, a help desk, and multiple training and collaboration spaces, including video conferencing rooms, multimedia displays, and a digital media production center with high-end editing stations, sound booths, and advanced presentation capabilities. Designed for flexibility, efficiency, and future expansion, the center supports distance learning, IT administration, and emergency operations, while also providing a modern workspace for staff and faculty. The building prioritizes sustainability and high performance, earning LEED Gold certification. With its state-of-the-art technology and functional design, the facility ensures UH remains at the forefront of innovation and digital education.
Year Completed: 2014
Service Type: Interior Architecture
Size: 39,200 Sq. Ft.
Design Recognition:
LEED CI - Gold
2016 ACECH Engineering Excellence Competition - Honor Award
2015 NAIOP - Kukulu Hale Award
