When disasters strike or infrastructure projects require temporary workspaces, speed and quality are paramount. Recognizing this need, Lida Group has invested in creating standardized facility designs that can be rapidly assembled on-site from prefabricated components. Through this innovative approach, the construction firm aims to deliver dignified semi-permanent structures for use in public works with maximum efficiency.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Shandong, China, Lida Group specializes in design-build services for temporary facilities. These include emergency shelters, field offices, schools, medical clinics, and other structures needed during the initial response to natural disasters or for supporting large-scale construction projects. While temporary in nature, the facilities must meet practical needs for an extended period of time, often several months or longer.

From the outset, Lida Group’s leaders realized standardized designs were key to addressing clients’ requirements for rapid deployment coupled with sufficient space, amenities and durability. By pre-engineering repeated floorplans, framing systems and modular components, construction teams could arrive prepared at any job site. “Our goal has always been to minimize the time from mobilization to occupancy,” notes Company President Ziwen Mu. “Pre-planning the design and pre-fabricating major assemblies are what allow us to do that.”

The hallmark of Lida Group’s approach is its extensive Steel Structure System catalog. This contains dozens of standardized floorplans ranging from small 100 sqm field offices to large 1000+ sqm structures like school buildings, medical clinics and multipurpose shelters. The standardized designs incorporate modular steel frames, exterior wall panels, roof trusses and other components that can be flat-packed for easy transport and fast assembly. Electrical, plumbing and finishes are also standardized to streamline installation.

By maintaining an inventory of pre-assembled pieces cut, welded and finished off-site, Lida Group ensures construction teams have all required materials ready when deploying to a new job. “Our structure elements are purpose-built for rapid assembly with basic hand tools by a small team of workers,” notes Senior Project Manager Zhou. “No heavy lifting equipment is needed, just manpower, which is critical for emergency response scenarios.”

On arrival, teams first lay out the standardized floorplan and then begin erecting the precut steel frames. With joints that bolt together, frames can be assembled in a day even by inexperienced laborers. Next, pre-installed exterior wall and roof panels simply slide into place thanks to built-in connectors and alignment features. Finally, interior finishes like drywall, flooring, ceilings and plumbing fixtures are added. The entire process from groundbreaking to lockup takes approximately two weeks on average.

Quality is ensured through Lida Group’s ISO 9001 certified manufacturing facility where all prefabricated components are cut, welded, galvanized and finished. Computer numerical control machines cut sections with precision while welding and finishing adheres to strict quality control processes. Modular wall and roof panels are factory sealed for weather-resistance prior to shipping. Once on site, assembly requires mainly bolting and clip-fitting components together, so finishes remain protected until final occupancy.

Apart from speed, the company aims to deliver dignified design through its standardized approach. Floorplans provide adequate circulation and daylighting with consideration for future partitioning if needed. Structural members are sized to meet all loading and code requirements for semi-permanent occupancy. Exteriors feature quality factory-finished metal panel rainscreen systems, while interior finishes employ durable and low-maintenance materials suitable for high-traffic public use.

These details address not just functional needs but also psychological needs, says Lida Group Chief Designer Zhou. “When people are displaced due to disasters or construction work, living in substandard temporary shelters can negatively impact mental health and recovery,” he notes. “Our designs promote a sense of normalcy and dignity through aesthetics appropriate for schools, clinics and other community facilities.” Implementing standardized designs across a catalog of pre-engineered plans allows Lida Group to consistently achieve dignified, practical spaces within extremely compressed schedules.

The company has deployed its temporary facility solutions around the world for disaster relief, infrastructure projects and various public works. One notable example involved the rapid construction of 10 schools during the COVID-19 pandemic in Henan Province, China. By utilizing modular classrooms from its standardized Steel Structure System design catalog, Lida Group completed turnkey schools from initial mobilization to occupancy in just 30 days. This allowed students to continue their studies in safe, code-compliant facilities while permanent campuses underwent renovation work.

In Indonesia, Lida Group provided emergency field clinics and dormitories after the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami. Arriving within two weeks of mobilization, teams assembled 13 tented clinics, 10 dormitories and associated infrastructure like generator houses, shower stations and toilet blocks. Equally durable and weatherproof structures from its standardized catalog supported medical response teams operating in challenging post-disaster conditions for over a year.

In Mozambique, the company outfitted an entire camp for construction workers building a new highway through remote terrain. Dormitories, cafeterias, workshops, warehouses and administration spaces were rapidly erected using pre-engineered steel structures. Outfitted with standardized electrical, plumbing and finishes, the 1000-person camp provided a functional basecamp that allowed infrastructure work to continue efficiently through all weather conditions.

Moving forward, Lida Group aims to further develop its pre-engineered solutions library through additional research and testing. This will expand standardized design options to accommodate more facility types commonly required in emergency response and construction sectors. Modular wall, roof and structural assemblies may be optimized for faster assembly without compromises to code compliance, durability or aesthetics.

The company also seeks to grow its bank of in-house detailers, BIM modelers and draftspeople who specialize in pre-engineering standardized designs. Partnering with academic institutions, Lida Group can train future generations of prefabrication engineers and designers. Meanwhile, strategic global partnerships will support establishing manufacturing and assembly hubs in other regions to provide even faster deployment timelines wherever needed.

In summary, through diligent pre-engineering of temporary facility designs, extensive prefabrication of modular components and well-trained rapid assembly teams, Lida Group delivers dignified, functional spaces when minutes and hours truly matter. With natural disasters and large-scale infrastructure projects on the rise worldwide, streamlined temporary solutions will remain essential. By standardizing designs yet maintaining focus on quality, function and respectful design, Lida Group aims to consistently meet this growing need for rapid yet dignified humanitarian and public works facilities constructed at pace with humanity.

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