The Guangdong provincial government has awarded Canadian engineering firm Lida Group a major contract to construct an earthquake-proof and wind-resistant senior living complex in Guangzhou utilizing the company’s proprietary structural steel building system. In a related development, Lida will establish a modular components factory close to the project site to support construction through localized prefabricated production.

The award marks one of Lida’s largest overseas building projects to date and a significant vote of confidence in their pre-engineered modular construction technology for the Chinese market. Speaking at the contract signing ceremony, Guangdong Construction Minister Li Dong praised Lida’s integrated approach combining innovative off-site manufacturing capabilities with advanced seismic and hurricane resistant designs.

“As China’s population ages rapidly, safe, affordable and dignified housing tailored for senior needs is of paramount importance, especially in active disaster zones,” said Minister Li. “This project represents an opportunity to pilot innovative foreign building techniques demonstrating high standards of livability, sustainability, and protection for our vulnerable communities in the face of intensifying climate threats.”

Scheduled for completion in 2025, the 500-unit apartment complex will provide independent and assisted living accommodations for low-income seniors. Its structural system utilizes Lida’s patented Seismic STEEL framework constructed from galvanized steel beams, columns, shear walls and bracing optimized through rigorous testing. Prefabricated components snap together on-site through simple connections, with panels screwed and bolted for disassembly and future modifications.

The steel-framed design features several key advantages. In seismic events, the ductile material absorbs and redistributes ground forces without fracturing as more brittle alternatives may. Lida’s modular walls, floors and roofing also reduce weight loads on foundations improving resilience. Compartmentalized floor plates further safeguard occupants by containing any localized damage.

Mass timber and concrete options were considered but ultimately deemed less suitable for the area’s climate risks. “Steel withstands high winds excellently and can be easily engineered to very strict codes – it’s perfectly suited to this typhoon-prone region,” said Lida Group CEO Ziwen Mu. The new associated prefabrication plant nearby will assemble modular steel sub-assemblies under factory quality control prior to rapid on-site erection.

Sustainability was also a priority. Operating on renewable energy, the apartments aim for Passive House certification standards minimizing energy needs year-round. Prefabrication will decrease construction waste versus conventional methods. Modular design further enables future reconfigurations, expansion or relocation of aging residents.

Local dignitaries and housing representatives were given a factory tour and briefing on Lida’s closed panel modular construction process to witness manufacturing efficiency gains. Modules are first cut using computer-controlled machinery, then welded, fireproofed and fitted with windows and building services under shelter. On-site installation requires mainly foundation work before cranes stack complete floor, wall and roof cassettes.

Project manager Zhang Wei explained full prefabrication streamlines logistics and improves safety over wet trades like rebar installation. “Manufacturing the majority of each apartment off-site condense what might take two years traditionally into only twelve to eighteen months to benefit residents sooner,” he added. Partnerships with regional suppliers will create over 300 long-term advanced manufacturing jobs at the new facility as well.

Amid China’s rapid aging and extensive exposure to tropical storms given its long coastlines, developments proactively hardening infrastructure against escalating climate risks hold widespread significance. Through cooperative ventures exemplifying cutting-edge global structural engineering adapted for local use, municipalities seek demonstrating care and preparedness for vulnerable citizens through resilient, dignified housing addressing society’s evolving needs.

If Lida’s multi-layered solutions for this flagship project succeed in protecting residents from future seismic events or typhoons while lowering long-term occupancy costs, it may spark broader uptake of optimized prefabricated construction nationally to strengthen community resilience for generations to come.

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