Liv-Connected, a company specializing in modular solutions for disaster relief and affordable housing with rapid deployment, spearheaded the team selected to provide housing for Lahaina, Hawaii, residents displaced in 2023 by a devastating wildfire.
The Liv-Connected modular concept came to be when New York-based architectural firm DXA Studio responded to a call for design submissions for disaster-relief housing in 2019. Installation was completed in mid-January, and the pre-fab communities will provide temporary housing options to fire victims.
On Nov. 22, 2024, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green welcomed the first families who moved into units commissioned for the first site. Up to 400 homes may be contracted during the next three years. Since the wildfires, federal, state and local groups have been on the ground providing individual assistance to the families affected by the disaster.
“We created Liv-Connected to provide well-designed housing solutions for families affected by disasters that could also be manufactured quickly and efficiently,” said Jordan Rogove, co-founding partner of DXA Studio and Liv-Connected.
Despite a skilled labor shortage and building material supply chain backlogs, the Liv-Connected Conexus Home provides a solution to the immediate need and the future of disaster relief housing. The home’s innovative Component Linked Construction, or CLiC System, takes advantage of efficiencies in construction, manufacturing and smart technology to provide beautifully designed and long-lasting modular housing that is healthy, dignified and can be deployed quickly and easily for disaster relief and other housing needs. For the architects behind Liv-Connected, when designing for the most vulnerable, the benefits can serve everyone.
“We have thoughtfully designed the homes so they are comfortable and functional enough to become permanent, and the families affected by the fires deserve to have a comfortable, safe home to recover in,” said Wayne Norbeck, co-founding partner of DXA Studio and Liv-Connected.
Liv-Connected homes can also be used for workforce housing, large scale developments and private ownership. The modular homes for Lahaina meet Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom options. Manufacturing of the Conexus Homes destined for Maui began in Colorado at Fading West, one of Liv-Connected’s two manufacturing partners.
This innovative approach to disaster housing extends beyond the home’s construction to a carefully planned shipping strategy. The homes travel via tractor trailer from the manufacturer to Seattle where the trailers are driven onto barges before making the trip to Maui via ocean liner.
“As a company rooted in the industrial sector, we committed ourselves years ago to make a meaningful impact within the communities we serve,” said Paul Esser, chief operations officer of Marex Services Group LLC. “We were thrilled to support this project, and we contributed in the way we know best: managing time-sensitive logistics for oversized cargo across road and sea.
“This effort not only supports companies committed to strengthening our community but also directly helps those who need it most. Marex has been working tirelessly to ensure safe and timely delivery of these homes, which gave the people of Maui a chance to be back in their residences by the holidays.”
Upon reaching the island, the trailers are reconnected to trucks to be driven to pre-approved housing community sites where they are unloaded and installed in a number of days, complete with water, sewer and electrical service, and fully furnished.
“Our mission is to create attainable, high-quality, architecturally interesting, diverse communities, and modular homebuilding does just that,” said Charlie Chupp, CEO of Fading West. “In fact, modular manufacturing carries significant advantages over stick-built homes, with construction costs reduced by as much as 20%, while the entire timeline to build can be reduced by more than 50%.”
Liv-Connected is part of a team of experts who are responsible for designing, manufacturing, transporting and installing the homes on the site. The team ensured compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The team includes:
- Prime Contractor: Dynamic Construction Group, a Baton Rouge, La.-based firm that specializes in delivering large, complex federal projects
- Local General Contractor: Alpha Construction
- Transportation logistics: Marex Services Group LLC
- Installer: ProSet Modular
“We are honored to be entrusted with this vital mission and are committed to delivering a high-quality modular housing solution that the community can proudly call home,” said Josh McCoy, CEO of Dynamic Group, LLC. “Despite facing unique challenges — such as an accelerated timeline, supply chain complexities, and intricate logistics — our team rose to the occasion. Collectively, we united in the one goal to deliver a successful mission for the Maui community.”
The Liv-Connected homes on the site honor the different styles of houses in Hawaii. The construction mirrors local ways of building and the science behind the homes ensures that the structures can withstand the tropical climate.
“As a Native Hawaiian who grew up on Maui, I was more eager than anyone to ensure we delivered a home that would more than suit the community, but would offer support and comfort beyond what has been delivered as temporary housing in the past,” said Allysa Taylor, director of operations at Liv-Connected and architect at DXA Studio. “All of the partners aligned strongly behind that mission, so this has been a truly moving project to be a part of.”
Every aspect of the Liv-Connected Conexus Home is designed with wellness in mind. The materials are all low-to-no emission and selected to maintain a safe and healthy air quality. Biophilic design is the driver behind the high ceilings, warm finishes and ample windows. The interior space is created to be dignified and uplifting, which, when paired with natural light and airflow, is a key factor in a healthy home. The core finishes of the home are made of wood and the window locations and sizes frame views to the outdoors, allowing for a connection between life inside and nature outside.
“The Kilohana Temporary Housing project is deeply personal for Alpha,” said Maile Kekona, marketing communications manager of Alpha Construction. “From the start, as a locally owned and operated business, we have proudly worked with local subcontractors – putting out fires in our own neighborhoods, clearing lots, and responding to emergency needs island wide.
“We recognized efficient Housing in Lahaina was the natural next step. Each completed temporary home means a family returning to West Maui. This project supports our community’s recovery by creating jobs, strengthening local partnerships and building opportunities for a stronger Maui.”
