Community, Culture and Connection
Presenting our new
Arrillaga Student Center
‘Iolani School is excited to share images of a stunning new addition planned for our campus. With completion estimated for the winter of 2025, the new Arrillaga Student Center will transform the heart of our campus as an engaging and inviting new gathering space for the entire school community. Here students, parents, faculty/staff, alumni, friends and visitors will come together to learn, dine, collaborate and celebrate, while developing bonds that will last a lifetime. The design beautifully articulates our culture, values and respect for our history, while providing the expanded spaces needed for learning and the social-emotional health of our campus.
Mahalo to our lead donors
‘Iolani School is very grateful to Justine Stamen Arrillaga & John Arrillaga for making possible this very generous lead gift of $10 million for this project. Previous donations from the Arrillagas have also helped 'Iolani to create a free swimming lesson program for students from Pālolo Valley as a part of our 'Iolani School KA'I Programs and other school and athletic initiatives on campus.
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Groundbreaking and Blessing
More than 200 guests, including students, faculty, staff, donors and dignitaries, attend the special ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024
Highlight video
Watch full ceremony
“We are tremendously grateful to the Arrillaga family and their partnership with us in this important initiative. Community and connection are at the heart of the ‘Iolani experience and the Arrillaga Student Center will further create and perpetuate these lifelong bonds.”DR. TIMOTHY R. COTTRELL HEAD OF SCHOOL
Floor plans
Each of the three floors offer exciting additions to our campus. Click the link below to see detailed floor plans and all of the rooms and spaces on each level.
Arrillaga Student Center design features
- Large indoor, two-story dining and social gathering space
- Fully equipped commercial kitchen and food storage
- Health and Wellness Center
- Campus Store
- Faculty & Staff Lounge
- New 6th Grade Community – nine new classrooms and outdoor learning space
- Seven new Upper School classrooms
- Entry courtyard connecting to a newly designed chapel garden
- Expansive covered and open-air outdoor eating and gathering spaces
- Rooftop event and gathering spaces with stunning, unobstructed views of Diamond Head and Waikiki skyline
- Residential Life space for students to relax and interact
- Tea house for ceremonies, meditation and mindfulness training
- Large roof space for photovoltaic panels to power the center
A vibrant expression of community and student life
The open, inviting ground floor sets the tone as you approach, welcoming you into a dynamic new experience. The entry courtyard beautifully frames the serene garden in front of St. Alban’s Chapel. To your left, you'll find the vibrant new Campus Store. To your right, the spacious Tsai Family Dining Hall awaits, offering a modern and expansive space for gathering and dining.
A ROOFTOP REPRESENTING OUR PAST AND FUTURE
The artistic roof design elegantly echoes the wing of an ‘Io hawk, a symbol for ‘Iolani School, and is reminiscent of a regal cape. These elements pay tribute to our origins, honoring the legacy of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. The expansive roof is also designed to accommodate a significant array of photovoltaic panels, allowing for net-neutral electricity consumption and demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship.
A Building for the Future
The stunning new community dedicated to 6th grade students will feature eight innovative classrooms, a vibrant courtyard and versatile outdoor learning spaces. Seamlessly connected to the Arrillaga Student Center, but with its own unique entrance and facilities, this area enhances the ability to provide tailored academic and social-emotional support, ensuring that students receive the individualized attention they need to flourish during this pivotal stage of their education.
EMBRACing the Heart of our Campus
The mountain-side view from the third floor creates a sight line to St. Alban's Chapel, which continues to be the spiritual and physical center of the ‘Iolani School campus. From this vantage point, as you look beyond the chapel, you also can see our Residence Hall. The visual connection of these three critical buildings on campus truly honors our commitment to all aspects of community at ‘Iolani School.
Event Spaces Showcasing The Beauty Around Us
The third-floor terrace allows for some of the most breathtaking and unobstructed views of Diamond Head and the Waikiki skyline. These large open-air spaces at the top of the Arrillaga Student Center will be used for school performances, meetings, events and other purposes, with the stunning beauty of Hawai‘i serving as the perfect backdrop.
Honoring OUR CULTURE, VALUES AND ST. ALBAN's ChapeL
As you arrive from either Lower School or Upper School, the entry to the Arrillaga Student Center respects the importance of St. Alban's Chapel and embraces a new garden. This beautiful area will be used for receptions and school gatherings and showcases a grand staircase to the second and third floors.
EMBRACING SERENITY AND WELL-BEING
A contemporary Japanese-style tea house will provide a tranquil sanctuary designed to nurture mindfulness, respect and cultural appreciation. This serene space invites students to embrace the values of harmony, tranquility and humility, which are central to the tea ceremony. Beyond its cultural enrichment, the tea house offers a peaceful retreat where students and faculty can engage in mindfulness, meditation and other practices that enhance mental well-being and foster a more profound sense of community.
EXPANDED SPACES Foster Exceptional Experiences
The expansive new Tsai Family Dining Hall is more than twice the size of the previous dining space and soaring ceilings accommodate digital media screens. The thoughtful design optimizes functionality, offering a generous area where Lower and Upper School students can come together. The hall also will be a versatile venue for parent, alumni and community meetings, enhancing its role as a central gathering place.
MODERN LEARNING SPACES
The Arrillaga Student Center includes 16 new classrooms. Each is designed with cutting-edge technology and adaptable seating arrangements to cater to diverse teaching methods and collaborative learning. Large windows fill the room with natural light, creating an atmosphere where creativity and critical thinking can flourish. Whether for group projects, interactive lessons or quiet study, these thoughtfully designed spaces aim to elevate the educational experience and nurture the growth and success of every student.
SPACES FOR RECREATION AND CONNECTION
The Arrillaga Student Center emphasizes the importance of social spaces, featuring a dynamic new recreation room designed to be a lively gathering spot. After school, this vibrant hub will be a place to play games, socialize and build connections. In the evenings, it will serve as an additional gathering space for Residential Life students, including comfortable study areas for one-on-one tutoring and dedicated relaxation zones.
CAMPUS STORE CELEBRATES 'ONE TEAM' SPIRIT
The new Campus Store will offer a sophisticated college-level shopping experience, showcasing Raider pride and the "One Team" spirit. Featuring a wide array of ‘Iolani-branded merchandise, the store will provide everything from stylish apparel and accessories to essential school supplies. Whether you're looking for the latest gear, a gift, or a special keepsake, the Campus Store in the Arrillaga Student Center will be the destination for all things ‘Iolani.
Want to know more?
If you would like to learn more about ways you can become involved and the exciting naming opportunities for this project, contact the ‘Iolani School Advancement Office at (808) 943-2325 or kgennaula@iolani.org.
Construction timeline
- Spring 2024 -- pre-construction tasks, finalization of building design, general contractor selection and permitting
- Summer 2024 -- demolition of original Student Center and begin construction of new Arrillaga Student Center
- Winter 2025 -- targeted completion of project
- Spring 2026 -- Arrillaga Student Center opens for use
** Note: On-campus food service for students and faculty/staff continues throughout this process.
“What immediately sets the Arrillaga Student Center apart, as seen from any angle, is that it’s not just another building to fulfill a needed function, but a physical embodiment of ‘Iolani School’s spirit and energy. It moves, it stirs emotion, it invites everyone in. It’s not a generic, but rather, a very site-specific extension of the spiritual and social center of the school. It has a well-formed relationship with the environment, giving users the choice to not just be inside or outside, but a range of contexts, all while being visually connected to the campus and the Honolulu setting. That’s what sets it apart and will make it a landmark building in Honolulu!”David HerjeczKi Principal, Gensler Architects
About the architects
The new Arrillaga Student Center is being designed by WCIT ARCHITECTURE and GENSLER, award-winning architecture firms from Hawai‘i and the mainland.