Joseph Valenti is Founder of the Albizia Project and leads the team in developing innovative solutions in response to socio-ecological issues identified across Hawaiʻi.
In 2016 he earned his Doctorate degree in Architecture from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM). His research investigated the state’s low-value forest resources to develop innovative building systems that utilize the prolific invasive albizia tree. The project was awarded funding from UHM, Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation, and the U.S. Forest Service to build the Albizia Project’s first full-scale prototype.
Joseph has since partnered with Hawaiʻi’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife and was awarded the 2018 U.S. Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant to initiate the statewide Hawaiʻi Wood Utilization Team (HWUT). Alongside his role as Director of HWUT, Joseph continues to pursue his passion in material innovation and regenerative design. He crafts new products in support of the Albizia Project while weaving together multi-sector networks to strengthen supply chains and markets for Hawaiʻi’s wood industry.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Cell