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Space Matters

Following Sakamaki Innovation Zone and Webster 101 Collaborative Classroom before it, Dean Hall 104 Culture Lab is one more articulation of commitment to transformation in the Mānoa educational enterprise. The lab is designed to draw courses in which cultural practices and knowledge are an integrated element of specific subjects. Scheduled to open in Spring 2024, it offers a teaching and learning space uniquely defined and designed for diverse, innovative, culturally-based courses taught across all disciplines at Mānoa.

Features and Room Specs

Sunlight illuminates Dean Hall 104 Culture Lab, located on UH Mānoa’s historic Quad. The interior space benefits from a view of surrounding trees, sky and an entry to Campus Center. Designed with a vision grounded in the concept of agility and innovative teaching practice, Dean 104 features include:

  • capacity for 25 students
  • a de-centered classroom with multiple points of focus
  • multiple seating options and arrangements conducive to courses with performance activities such as: music, dance, drama, storytelling, and collaborative activities such as food sharing, and paired and group arrangements
  • glass writing and projection surfaces in addition to sliding translucent writing surfaces
  • large interactive touchscreen
  • sustainable design elements: efficient and quiet air conditioning system and improved indoor acoustics and environmental quality
  • BYOD technology with charging towers
Chairs and tables
Sliding writing surface
Lighting and baffles

History, Concept and Design

Dean 104 was identified as an ideal classroom for renovation due to its state of disrepair and underutilization, and its unique historical location on the Mānoa campus. The renovation revives this squandered resource residing at a prime location adjacent to the Campus Center and located on the historical Quad. It offers a teaching and learning space uniquely defined and designed for diverse, innovative, culturally-based courses taught across all disciplines at Mānoa.

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