There are over 2,000 different building codes across the United States, including 340 in Colorado alone. This fragmentation is one of the biggest barriers preventing modular housing from addressing America's affordability crisis. Wayne Norbeck and Jordan Rogove, co-founders of DXA Studio and Liv-Connected, are working to change that through their design work and their efforts on Capitol Hill.

In this second part of our conversation, Wayne and Jordan explain the technical strategy behind the Lahaina project. By engineering components to fit on standard flatbed trucks rather than expensive wide-load transport, they reduced shipping costs from $18 per mile to $2-3 per mile. Each unit arrives complete and can be installed in four hours, with finishes that include pre-finished birch plywood interiors and peaked roofs—features manufacturers repeatedly tried to eliminate, but made a huge difference for tenants. 

The conversation also explores how regional code standardization could save 30 cents on every housing dollar and current progress with bipartisan support for legislation extending HUD's manufactured housing authority. This would cut approval times from months to weeks while maintaining quality standards, potentially transforming how America responds to natural disasters and housing affordability. 

Episode Outline

(01:01) Volumetric versus hybrid modular systems and the economics of shipping costs

(04:31) Material choices that avoid institutional aesthetics and support permanent housing

(11:05) Navigating FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers, and Maui County building approvals

(14:37) Where modular housing can have the highest impact beyond disaster relief

(17:45) The case for regional building codes to unlock affordable housing at scale

(21:30) Legislative solutions and bipartisan Congressional support for modular expansion

(29:25) Connecting with state officials, nonprofits, and the UCLA cityLAB initiative

Additional Resources

Check out The Mira Shoppe. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email [email protected] to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back.

Learn more about Liv-Connected

Learn more about DXA Studio 

The Modular Construction Landscape by Atif Z. Qadir

cityLAB - UCLA

Modular Building Institute

Sen. Tim Scott's ROAD to Housing Act

Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Homes for All Act   

A New Take on Disaster Housing in Hawaiʻi (Part 1)

Connect with Jordan Rogove

Connect on LinkedIn 

Connect with Wayne Norbeck

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More From American Building 

Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis  

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Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn

Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design 

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