Jason Takeuchi
Occupation: Architect
College: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
What school you grad? Roosevelt High ‘05
Location: Honolulu, HI
Jason Takeuchi is a mission-driven architect at Ferraro Choi and is passionate about building the resilience of his community through stewardship of the unique culture and environment of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. He earned his Doctor of Architecture degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
He currently serves as 2026-28 At-Large Director on The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) national board and was 2024 chair of the AIA National Young Architects Forum, representing 20,000 emerging architects globally. In his community, Jason volunteers with the Liljestrand Foundation, Hawai‘i Architectural Foundation and Scouting America’s Aloha Council. Jason is a recipient of the 2018 AIA Associates Award, Building Design + Construction Magazine’s 40 Under 40 recognition and the 2023 AIA Young Architects Award. His firm is the project designer behind many HIDOE facilities including Honouliuli Middle School, Stevenson Middle School’s Science and Tech Center, Lahainaluna High’s cafeteria, Waipahu Intermediate’s cafeteria, Kohala High’s STEM/Science Facility and Kalani High’s girls locker room. He and his team are also behind the design of Roosevelt High School’s new gymnasium project, which is set to open its doors this summer.
He attended Pauoa Elementary, Prince David Kawānanakoa MiddleandPresident Theodore Roosevelt High. His grandmother, Sachi Takeuchi, taught home economics at Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High and his great aunt, Jean Aten, served as the librarian at Pauoa Elementary for over 40 years while he was a student.
Q: What was your journey like after high school?
A: I attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Architecture and received the nation’s only accredited Doctor of Architecture degree. Since 2012, my journey at Ferraro Choi has allowed me to be part of design teams for community-based projects around Hawai‘i such as hospitals, educational facilities, resilience hubs and more. My life after college has also been filled with volunteer opportunities, especially with the American Institute of Architects.
Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it?
A: My mom wanted to be an architect but didn’t have the opportunity to, so I’m grateful to live her goal. It’s meaningful to design buildings that become part of people’s livelihood and memories. I may not be able to support people through my volunteer work when I’m gone, but hopefully many of the buildings we design will continue to give back to communities for generations.
Q: What are you up to these days?
에이: Through Ferraro Choi, I’ll be finishing overseeing construction of a new gymnasium at Roosevelt High School and beginning construction of a new band room at Roosevelt. Having participated in volleyball and band at Roosevelt, this has meant a lot to me. I’m also focused on resiliency as a building sector, ensuring Hawai‘i communities are protected and can thrive through disaster events.
In my volunteer service, I serve as a director on the AIA National Board, which is the world’s largest architecture and design organization, representing 100,000 architects globally. As the first member from Hawai‘i to serve on this board since the early 90’s, I’m fortunate to represent Hawai‘i, advocate for the next generation and push for policies in climate action and social equity.
Through the Liljestrand Foundation, I volunteer as an advisory board member and event volunteer. Through Scouting America Aloha Council, I chair the Properties Committee, which oversees facilities maintenance and construction of camp properties across multiple islands. This is meaningful for me as an Eagle Scout. And through the Hawai‘i Architectural Foundation, I serve as a board member focused on award scholarships to students and funding initiatives that support architecture in Hawai‘i.
Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?
A: Growing up in Pauoa Valley and attending Roosevelt shaped my love for Hawai‘i and the diversity of its people. It’s allowed me to learn about and appreciate all cultures and people in my community and I’m proud to be a part of it.
Q: Favorite subject in school?
A: Math – it was the class I felt most confident in because I took Kumon as a kid.
Q: What type of extracurricular activities were you involved in?
A: Volleyball, National Honor Society, Key Club, Boy Scouts
Q: What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast?
에이: Back in the day, fried rice for breakfast used to be $0.35, so I used to get three plates for just $1.05!
Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?
A: Mrs. Kay Chin. She was a mentor to me for six years at Pauoa Elementary’s Challenge program. It was rare to have the same teacher for this long, so without question she shaped my trajectory as a student. The confidence I gained from her allowed me to pursue full academic and extracurricular potential, and that shaped my identity as a student and ultimately who I am today.
Q: What advice do you have for students?
A: Being in school is a blessing. The lessons learned today, good or bad, are life lessons that stay with you forever and prepare you for what’s ahead.
Q: Fun fact?
A: I was fortunate to be part of Roosevelt’s first ever Engineering and Technology Academy, which was incredible for my growth into becoming an architect. Fellow Roosevelt alum Peter Hernandez (Bruno Mars) happened to be our teaching assistant in one of the academy classes!
