A blend of ancient forms and modern materials, sitting on the edge of the Manoa stream, the Hawaiian Studies building makes a distinctive statement about its function. The complex of four buildings, with their steep, copper-clad, and rounded hipped roofs, continues Kauahikaua and Chun's exploration of appropriate Hawaiian regional design. Battered lava-rock walls contrast with the walls of glass and copper, as well as the flat-roofed walkways with their rhythmic pipe colonnades. Koa-paneled stairwells and doorways provide a further local accent, and the Japanese grilles in the faculty offices contribute to a light, open, inviting space. Further visual variety is achieved by the use of multiple levels, with steps accessing a lower-tier terrace which fronts on a two-story, open pavilion, and overlooks the loi kalo (irrigated terrace for growing taro) below.