Background
The City and County of Honolulu were experiencing a shortage of affordable rental housing. Understanding the success of other jurisdictions in North America with the application of modular building solutions to create rapid, high-quality housing, the City and County along with their general contractor sought a modular partner who could manufacture and deliver the required units for a new rental housing project on the Hawaiian island.
Challenge
Given the island location for the project, NRB had to address a number of challenges in the manufacturing and delivery of the 39 required modular units that would make up the 58-suite finished structure.
Collaboration on design occurred with the international consultant team engaged on the project and NRB assisted with the development of a modular permit process with the State of Hawaii in order to move the project forward. The material used for the project – treated lumber and stainless fasteners – were atypical materials for NRB’s usual work completed from our Kamloops manufacturing facility in western Canada. And, finally, the project team needed to determine the best way to handle overseas and international transport of the modular units to Honolulu.
At a Glance
The three-storey, 28,552-square-foot structure was delivered on time and on budget for the general contractor managing the build. The 40 modular units were successfully transported overland and across the Pacific Ocean to Honolulu with no significant issues and the units were craned at the project site by the general contractor upon delivery.
The rental housing contains 58 studio units, while the building’s ground floor also houses a commercial kitchen, dining room, laundry facility, secured entry and an office for the property manager. The West Loch project marked the first international project completed from the Kamloops, BC manufacturing facility. The City of Honolulu says it is committed to keeping all 58 units affordable for individuals and couples, which means the continuation of much-needed homes for those in need.
- Building Application: Affordable Housing
- Building Size: 28,552 sq. ft. – 58 suites
- Project Timeline: 10 weeks for manufacturing
- Building Type: Volumetric modules
- Project Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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