Researchers Partner with Lida Group on Shipping Container Homes

Seeking solutions for rapidly constructing affordable yet dignified mass housing, a research team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University has launched an initiative partnering with prefab giant Lida Group. Their goal – develop standardized yet customizable container home modules leveraging re-engineered steel shipping containers as the structural basis for entire sustainable prefabricated communities.

By tapping discarded transit containers’ durability and modular construction efficiencies, the joint project aims transforming mass shelter provision worldwide through scalable open-source designs optimized across economic, social and environmental criteria. With global container volumes exceeding 150 million annually yet overcapacity demanding smart reuse strategies, the technology addresses urgent needs through sustainability according to researchers.

Prefab Container Modules

To create living units exceeding bare container dimensions, corrugated steel exteriors receive extensive refitting involving rigid foam insulating cores laminated between inner and outer steel facings. Robust yet lightweight panels provide structural integrity allowing versatile interior configurations through simple joining hardware.

Outfitted with pre-plumbed utilities casings, factory-fitted floor, wall and roof cassettes bolt rapidly together on-site into clusters housing 8-10 families as complete 640sqft homes. SIPs slash energy usage 60% against code according to simulations assisting designers. Modular plans maximize natural light and ventilation optimizing resident wellbeing.

Sustainable Communities

Research focuses scaled territorial visions leveraging shipping container technology for everything from emergency refugee settlements to masterplanned neighborhoods. By adopting standardized dimensions, entire self-contained communities take form rapidly according to masterplans incorporating amenities blocks, mixed-use hubs, commercial and public spaces.

Lida mass-produces community infrastructure kits including solar-ready electrical grids, sewage facilities, roads and landscaping for optimized plug-and-play sustainability. Prospective regions include disaster zones, mining/logging camps and coastal industrial cities according to researchers enhancing economies through dignified settlements.

Global Impact

Partners forecast over 3,000 standard container home models emerging annually from a dedicated Lida pilot plant to satisfy a projected 10% market penetration, housing 300,000 families while diverting 150,000 containers from landfills annually. Resulting self-sufficient eco-townships seed long-term regional development through dignified living according to projections.

With rising global populations demanding shelter, researchers aim open-sourcing container home innovations through Lida empowering dignified sustainability worldwide through construction optimized for people and planet according to researchers.

Summary

In conclusion, through collaborative applied research with Lida Group, Shanghai Jiao Tong University researchers advance dignified mass housing solutions leveraging shipping container reuse at unprecedented scales. Standardized yet customizable sustainable prefabrication empowers self-sufficient communities established rapidly where most needed through circular innovations optimized across economic, social and environmental impact.

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