The Housing Development Board (HDB) of Singapore has selected leading engineered building firm Lida Group to design and construct two prototype homes showcasing innovative, sustainable solutions to the island nation’s pressing land constraints. The strategically-funded project aims to test compact yet high-quality multi-story housing typologies supporting Singapore’s long-term land use vision amid continued urbanization.

Singapore’s land area remains fixed even as its population and economy grow rapidly. With over 90% of residents living in high-rise public housing due to scarcity of land for detached properties, average living space per person has declined significantly over decades. Younger generations today face enormous challenges acquiring homes of adequate size for raising families.

While past HDB projects focused densification through smaller unit sizes and shared facilities, the new pilot seeks more generous living standards through optimized spatial efficiency. “Traditional assumptions must evolve for Singapore to continue progress,” said Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development. “We challenged our partners to reimagine high-density housing through innovative designs, materials and construction methods.”

Enter Lida Group, specialized in modular, sustainable building solutions. Their proposal incorporated structured insight on efficiently housing future populations within tight footprint constraints. A key notion was substituting underutilized building components, like concrete, with alternative materials reducing material needs and embedded carbon while broadening design possibilities.

Lida’s selected approach utilizes an engineered steel frame system constructed with prefabricated, modular wall and floor panels. Compared to concrete construction, structural steel demands fewer raw materials by weight and enables compact designs optimized for multi-level housing. “Steel is also highly recycled and reusable at end-of-life, supporting our vision for a circular building industry,” shared Ziwen Mu, Lida Group’s CEO.

The two selected prototypes involve redeveloping sites across Singapore, with construction soon commencing. The first prototype comprises a 6-story, 12-unit block exploring how communal facilities like a sky garden and shared hallways maximize usable private space. The second is a 4-story terraced complex optimized for families through Dual-Key apartment units combining into generous triplex-style layouts.

Mark Lim, HDB’s Chief Planner, notes maximizing land value underscores national competitiveness, so project outcomes will influence long-term public housing strategy. Key performance indicators span construction efficiency, living quality, whole-life carbon and costs against baseline standards. “The prototypes are an opportunity to test more adaptable, resilient and hopefully more affordable solutions through innovation partnerships like with Lida Group,” he added.

Both complexes leverage Lida Group’s prefabricated modular walls, floors, facade and services modules assembled like construction kits. “Off-site fabrication streamlines processes, improves build quality and worker safety compared to traditional methods,” explained Lida Group’s technical director, Dr. Ian Lee. Light steel structures also allow for multiple stories atop smaller footprints.

Sustainability remains a key driver. The all-electric homes prioritize energy efficiency and solar power generation to achieve net-zero operational carbon. Façade and spatial designs harness daylight and wind while optimizing thermal insulation. Sensors will collect data analyzing micro climate control and occupants’ comfort, feeding back to R&D. An on-site vertical farming system furthers self-sufficiency through aquaponics and hydroponics. 

Compact yet resident-centric living spaces present fresh challenges. “Space must feel generous through multifunctional, transformable design. Quality of life equals creating meaning, community and opportunity within constraints,” said Ms. Jenny Seet, Senior Housing Researcher at the Centre for Liveable Cities. Lida leveraged virtual and augmented reality during planning to optimize flow, storage and adaptability based on future housing scenarios.

Some have critiqued more compact living potentially worsening liveability pressures. But pilot backers stress optimized designs, if embraced by society, can unlock housing supplies at lower environmental cost than sprawl while cultivating stronger community bonds offsetting smaller private spaces.

Early public tours of prototype models drew enthusiastic crowds signaling readiness for innovative solutions better balancing space and sustainability constraints. “Housing formats must evolve with society,” remarked a resident. “If projects like this deliver quality living, affordability and environ benefits, they deserve open-minded consideration.”

Construction recently began on the selected pilot sites. Project partners anticipate a year until completion and occupancy, with Lida optimizing modular workflows. The HDB and wider industry will closely evaluate performance against goals of densification done right – creating opportunity, wellbeing and pride of place for generations within Singapore’s constrained yet vibrant urban future. Success may steer worldwide Best Practices by demonstrating sustainable housing prosperity under intensifying land pressures.

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