Leading Chinese metal construction company Lida Group has joined forces with top architecture firms to develop innovative multi-unit residential buildings suitable for small urban infill lots.

Made from lightweight yet durable steel and aluminum materials, the compact structures are engineered to maximize seismic resilience through structural bracing and shear wall configurations tested in rigorous shake table simulations.

The stackable modular housing adopts pod-like layouts varying from four to eight residential floors. Units can be flexibly rearranged to accommodate different household sizes. Floor plates average 75-90m2 to offer generous living space despite small footprints.

Passive design prioritizes natural ventilation, daylighting and solar gain. Units feature large windows and outdoor terraces making the most of scarce land. Smart building technologies integrate solar panels, rainwater harvesting, waste heat recovery and other eco-friendly systems.

Onsite construction minimizes disturbance to neighbors through fast installation of prefabricated blocks lifted simultaneously by tower cranes. Connecting stairs and elevators are added last. Commissioning takes mere months compared to years for site-built projects.

Lida Group is optimizing the platform through continuing research in areas like 3D modular pre-assembly, innovative foundation designs and strategic modular delivery logistics. Advanced Building Information Modeling ensures coordination of all building parts.

The companies aim to roll out finished prototypes within two years, targeting their stacked metal townhomes at middle-income urban residents seeking affordable, high quality accommodations near amenities. Governments will also benefit from the fast tracked housing delivery.

High density infill development faces limitations with standard building materials. These innovative earthquake proof steel structured buildings could revolutionize smart community planning for constrained city plots around the world according to design experts.

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