The Pacific Academy of Building Design recently announced its debut as a virtual design school designed to create a job-ready workforce of architects and interior designers in Hawai‘i.
Offering an affordable and accessible path to professional credentials without the need for a four-year college degree, PABD is designed to appeal to a wide range of students, including high school graduates, career-changers, military personnel and spouses and real estate professionals.
Founded by Liza Song Lockard, M.Arch, Ph.D., and Aaron Shimizu, AIA, the school provides interactive video lessons, live mentor sessions and real-world project engagement, with curriculum designed to bridge the gap between traditional academic programs and practical skills required in professional design work.
“Design firms in Hawai‘i have a preference for hiring competent local candidates, but often cannot find enough qualified applicants here,” said Lockard in a release. “We believe PABD will be able to fill that void by supplementing education with hands-on professional training through our program.”
In addition to providing a flexible schedule, PABD offers an affordable alternative to traditional degree programs, with students having opportunities to earn income through professional internships as part of their studies. PABD’s curriculum also prepares students for professional credentialing exams, allowing them to demonstrate proficiency in the field upon graduation.
“There are trade schools which focus on technical vocational training and … universities that focus on conceptual/theoretical design thinking, but neither addresses the niche professional skill sets that are required for actual practice,” said Shimizu in the release.
For more information, email [email protected], call (808) 381-0045 or visit pabd.us.
