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Broad Group raises 10-story building in Changsha with Living Building system: prefabricated concrete modules arrive factory-ready and are stacked like Lego pieces — concrete curing occurs before assembly
The Chinese company Broad Group has erected a 10-story building in 28 hours and 45 minutes in the city of Changsha. This achievement challenges everything we know about construction.
The modules arrive factory-ready. Each floor is a complete piece — with walls, flooring, electrical and plumbing installations.
On-site, it is simply a matter of stacking the modules, bolting them together, and connecting water and electricity. It’s like assembling Lego on a full scale.
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The architect who dreamed of this futuristic bridge died ten years before seeing it completed, and now, with a single 200-meter mast holding almost a kilometer of structure, it has just opened as the largest in the world in its category.
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Gas concessionaires, sanitation companies, and other services will no longer be able to tear up the concrete highways of Santa Catarina to lay pipes, and those who cause damage will have to rebuild the road with the same original material and thickness, with no expiration date.
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Just over 20 meters of concrete are missing for Brazil and Paraguay to be physically connected for the first time over the Paraguay River on a nearly 1.3 km bridge that will open an unprecedented road shortcut between the Atlantic and the Pacific and shorten the journey of goods to Asia.
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Hong Kong built 1,800 housing units in just 12 months using prefabricated modules in China, while the same type of traditional public housing would take an average of 4.1 years. The United Court project was the first fully completed transitional housing in the city.
The curing of concrete — an essential step to ensure strength — takes place in the factory, not on-site. This is crucial for speed.
Broad Group has been developing the Living Building system since 2009. The technology promises lower energy consumption and better indoor air quality.
How to build a building in 28 hours
The process begins weeks in advance at the factory. Each module is manufactured with precast concrete and steel reinforcement.
The concrete cures under controlled conditions. Temperature, humidity, and time are monitored to ensure maximum strength.
The modules have standardized sizes. This allows for mass production and predictable logistics.
On-site, cranes position the modules on top of each other. High-strength bolts secure them in place.
After stacking, technicians connect the water, sewage, and electricity networks. The assembly is mechanical, not artisanal.
In Brazil, a 10-story building takes on average 18 to 24 months. The difference is over 600 times.
The Living Building system
Broad Group claims that the Living Building consumes less energy than conventional buildings worldwide.
The system also ensures better indoor air quality. The modules come with integrated thermal insulation and ventilation.
The company has been developing the technology since 2009. There are over 15 years of iterations and continuous improvements.
Brazil vs China in civil construction
Modular construction is still nascent in Brazil. Most projects use traditional methods with reinforced concrete on-site.
The Brazilian logistics chain is not prepared for large modules. There is a lack of factories, transporters, and specialized cranes.
But the idea is gaining traction. The construction sector in Brazil is looking for ways to speed up projects and reduce costs.
The Brazilian housing deficit is millions of homes. Techniques like modular could drastically speed up delivery.
Impressive speed, but context is essential
The building was assembled in 28 hours. But the manufacturing of the modules took weeks beforehand. The complete process is longer.
The structural resistance depends on the quality of manufacturing in the factory. Errors there would be amplified during assembly.
The system works for buildings of up to 10-20 stories. Large skyscrapers require different engineering.
Information compiled from reports by O Antagonista and Blog da Engenharia. The 28-hour assembly does not include the manufacturing time of the modules.
This is awesome advancement
Samuel, thank you! It really is impressive what modular construction can achieve when scaled properly. The speed is one thing, but the consistency and quality control that comes from factory-built modules is arguably even more significant for the future of construction worldwide.
Building 10 storey building in my country will take years and still return as an abandoned project.
Snake 🐍 will swallow the money.
Nigeria 🇳🇬 my country.
Kaycee, you are not alone in that experience. In Brazil, a 10-story building typically takes 2 years or more as well. What makes the Chinese approach remarkable is the modular prefabrication — the modules arrive at the site already finished, so the on-site work is essentially stacking and connecting. The real question is whether this method can be adapted to different climates, regulations, and labor markets around the world. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
Where is the time lapse video of the construction?
Great question, Simless! Broad Group, the Chinese company behind the project, has released time-lapse footage of several of their modular builds. The 28-hour assembly was documented on camera — you can find it by searching for “Broad Group modular building time-lapse” on YouTube. It’s genuinely mind-blowing to watch 10 floors go up overnight.