Submarines like the USS Bowfin were instrumental in the outcome of World War II. The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum holds a unique part of the Pearl Harbor story.
In 2023, FRAME was invited to revisit the exhibits and wayfinding for the recently re-opened museum—an exciting opportunity to add new artifacts, expand on some amazing stories, deepen the STEM learning, and link to the museum’s new app and audio tour. Exhibits, indoors and out, will be refreshed in sequence through 2027.
HONOLULU, HAWAII
The building, site and exhibits inspire visitors from around the world as they are introduced to the men and women who serve on and around submarines, as well as the technology they design and utilize, the families and communities who support them, and the strategic implications of the submarine force—past, present and future. The stories and artifacts are unique and inspiring, whether you have served on a sub or are encountering submarines for the first time.
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Location: Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii
Client: Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association
Size: 10,050 SF Visitor and Staff Facilities, 2.3 Acre Site
Completion Date: 2021 (building and site), 2025 (exhibit updates by FRAME)
Alissa’s Role: Architect, Exhibit Designer, Principal-in-Charge
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Exhibit and Site Design Updates, opening 2025: FRAME with CraigSundine Design, Doug Munday Design, Alex Gabriel, DeShetler Design, JWLD, JREM
Prime Architect, Landscape Architect and Exhibit Designer: The Portico Group (now MIG)—new building and site opened 2021
Design Visualization and Renderings: Karoo Design Visualization
Associate Local Architect: Mason Architects
Photos by Chuck Merkel, Alissa Rupp, Allison CraigSundine, Ed Mah -
A trifecta of awards was completed in 2024 when the museum was honored with the Curatorial Excellence Pennant by the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Navy History and Heritage Awards. They had already won the History and Heritage Excellence Pennant and the Maintenance Excellence Pennant in previous years! This makes them the first facility to be awarded all three of these honors.