This week, the work and research efforts of Global Track Alumnus Joey Valenti (GT3) were featured on the American Institute of Architects National social media accounts. The National AIA Instagram began featuring short architectural films in March of this year. This past week Valenti's short film "LIKA: The Albizia Project" was highlighted.
From the video post: "Members of the @albiziaproject used wood from a notorious invasive tree species to build a space of sanctuary on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus – the first ever albizia wood structure. Designer and D.Arch graduate Joseph Valenti developed a pathway to sourcing timber locally, restoring native ecosystems, and designing for future island resilience. Valenti named the structure Lika – Hawaiian for Lisa – in memory of his mother."
After graduating from the Global Track Program, Valenti has gone on to co-found the Albizia Project, with the goal develop innovative uses of the prolific invasive albizia tree and to support native ecosystem restoration across the Hawaiian Islands. In addition to his role as a co-founder, he also serves as the Albizia Project's head of design. Additionally, Valenti is the Director of Hawaii’s Wood Utilization Team for the University of Hawaii Office of Sustainability.
To see more of Valenti's work and get your hands of some of his Albizia wood creations be sure to check out https://thealbiziaproject.com/ or follow them on instagram @albiziaproject.