Jason Takeuchi, Assoc. AIA

Deeply committed to the future of the profession and Hawaii’s built environment, Jason Takeuchi, Assoc. AIA, has made contributions in his home state that are now felt across the nation. By creating a series of opportunities and programs rooted in his drive to help others, he has demonstrated a passion for empowering emerging professionals.

“Despite the geographic location, Jason has made a national impact on the profession through his leadership and commitment to connecting others through opportunities he has created,” Korey D. White, AIA, 2017 chair of the National Associates Committee, wrote in a letter supporting Takeuchi’s nomination for the AIA Associates Award. “His work is noble.”

A designer at Ferraro Choi and Associates, Takeuchi largely focuses on sustainable projects that enhance social welfare and propel communities forward. At Ferraro Choi he works closely with several nonprofit organizations to develop comprehensive design solutions in a variety of locales, from rural settings to urban brownfields. His work at Shriners Hospital for Children and Waimanalo Health Center will provide thousands of patients access to medical care, while his project management for the Kakaako Innovation Block supports budding entrepreneurs and diversifies Hawaii’s economy.

Active in his AIA chapter, Takeuchi has assumed many leadership roles and is co-author of the Hawaii Design Services Act, a bill set for introduction to the state legislature in 2018 that aims to assist graduate students at the University of Hawaii with tuition waivers based on their participation in a community design studio. He has served as regional associate director for AIA Northwest and Pacific Region, and since 2017 has sat on the AIA National Associates Committee, the first member from Hawaii to do so.

Takeuchi’s co-creation of AIA Honolulu’s 5x5x5 Mentorship Program, which annually pairs 25 emerging architects with five industry leaders, has led to a surge in new Associate memberships. He has been instrumental in helping AIA Alaska, AIA Alabama, and AIA Colorado explore and/or implement similar programs. Beyond enrichment opportunities, Takeuchi promotes camaraderie among design and construction professionals through events such as the annual AEC Industry Dodgeball Tournament. The 2015 event, which he co-chaired, attracted more than 80 participants and raised nearly $4,000 to support the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.

“Jason exemplifies what we need for the next generation of leadership of our chapter and our entire profession,” Abigail Mundell, executive vice president of AIA Honolulu, wrote in support of  Takeuchi’s nomination. “If the future of architecture is filled like people like him, then our future looks incredibly bright and we should consider ourselves lucky indeed.”