On Location with Modular Construction
The Hawaii Film Studio is a film studio known for its work on TV shows and movies such as Hawaii Five-0 and Jurassic Park. Initially, the proposed 7,000 sf office project went over budget using conventional construction, leading the Hawaii Film Studio consider modular construction. Additionally, due to tight time constraints, the general contractor, G70, informed the client that in-factory construction was the only way to meet the project’s compressed timeline. The technical innovation of having the building constructed at the same time as the site was being developed was paramount to saving time and providing the facility before the start of filming the new season of Hawaii Five-0.
After looking into modular, the studio realized that WillScot’s modular solution provided them with the functional facility they needed while leaving enough room in their budget to cover costs for contamination control, construction waste removal, fluid leakage from trucks and equipment rentals. Additionally, choosing modular ensured there would be minimal onsite clean up as most waste materials and hazardous fluids would be handled at the factory some 2,500 miles away at the Blazer Industries facility in Oregon.
The designers worked with the factory to address all of the technical needs of the film studio’s specialized departments, including wardrobe, props, art, production, and graphics. The building was completed at the plant to save time and comply with noise requirements at the site. The building was also designed to allow future expansion, providing the ability to move buildings around and create new configurations as needs changed.
The building is located near the entrance to the historic Diamond Head State Monument. As such, the state required the office to blend with the surrounding landscape. The building was finished with earthy colors that matched the volcanic terrain.
Inside, the facility was customized with PTAC cool/heating systems to maintain humidity control and prevent damage to the film crew’s wardrobe, prop production and storage. It was also outfitted with custom electrical components and lighting to support the film crew’s computer and design needs.
In all, the project was completed in 275 days and in time for filming the new season of Hawaii Five-0!
This article originally appeared in the Modular Advantage Magazine -Â Second Quarter 2019Â released in May 2019.
More from Modular Advantage
Housing Without Borders: Go Global with Haskell Modular Solutions
With the capacity to service over 15 diverse markets across multiple continents, Haskell is the reliable choice for our 80% repeat client base no matter how their needs evolve. So, when a longstanding client—typically known for their large-scale, institutional buildings—engaged Haskell with a very different need—multinational
housing projects—Haskell knew exactly what approach to take.
ProSet Co-founder Shares Expertise to Help Ensure Safe and Secure Modular Connections in Colorado
ProSet co-founder Matt Mitchell created and teaches an 8-hour course, based on Colorado’s modular installation regulations.
Women in Construction – Reflections on a Journey, Then and Now
From industry veteran Laurie Robert, a retrospective for women who are thinking about entering the modular construction industry or are looking to elevate their current position into leadership.
This Year’s Offsite Construction Summits Put Regional Priorities and Industry Realities in Focus
With Summits scheduled for Toronto, Los Angeles, Denver, Washington, DC, and Houston, this year’s series will connect manufacturers, designers, developers, contractors, public officials, and end-users around the practical use of offsite delivery in their own markets.
Affordable Housing, One Module at a Time
For builders and developers, modular factories offer significant scheduling and cost efficiencies compared with traditional site-built construction, regardless of whether the final product is workforce housing, single family homes, or apartment buildings.
Advancing Modular Housing Policy in California: An Interview With Tyler Pullen of Terner Labs/UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in modular construction—it is already reshaping how complex buildings are evaluated, designed, and delivered.
Europe’s Modular Market Is Expanding, but Consistency Still Matters
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in modular construction—it is already reshaping how complex buildings are evaluated, designed, and delivered.
How Stack Modular Is Using AI to De-Risk Mid- to High-Rise Modular Construction
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in modular construction—it is already reshaping how complex buildings are evaluated, designed, and delivered.
Gearing Up for the 2026 World of Modular
The Modular Building Institute (MBI) is bringing its global World of Modular (WOM) conference and tradeshow back to Las Vegas in April, and with it comes some of the industry’s best opportunities for networking, business development, and education.
New High-Rise Modular Apartment in Abu Dhabi Points Toward the Future of Multifamily Construction
Eagle Hills International Properties chose the BROAD Holon Building for a 16-story market rate apartment building in Zayed City, a central business district of Abu Dhabi. The project highlights the potential of the Holon system of volumetric modular construction to accelerate housing delivery.