Building the future: Manufacturing of foldable high-rises

With urban populations rising and land scarce, efficient and sustainable housing solutions are needed. We propose an architectural concept: a residence capable of vertical expansion and contraction to meet occupants’ changing needs. The system relies on telescoping columns that adjust building height and lock securely at any level via a spring-bar mechanism. Internally, hydraulic scissor-lift walls expand or retract smoothly under load, ensuring flexible interior space while maintaining safety. Externally, structural walls fold flat into recessed floor cavities when retracted, maximizing usable area. Hinged iron plates at ground level serve as temporary supports during expansion and strategically buckle to control upper floor folding on command. A prototype of key mechanical components has been developed, and structural performance has been assessed using STAAD.Pro, under defined constraints. This concept advances sustainable modularity in urban architecture by optimizing space and flexibility. Future work will address real-time implementation frameworks for diverse urban and environmental contexts.