AU2010297303A1 - Apartment building having a plurality of stories - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an apartment building having a plurality of stories, comprising a central common portion (10) forming common portions, and at least two housing branches (20, 30, 40, 50) extending parallel to each other substantially from each end edge of said central common portion (10), each housing branch containing housings and each housing branch being free of common areas, each housing being accessed via external gangways (100) connecting said central common portion (10) to each housing, said external gangways being arranged between two opposite housing branches (20, 30, 40, 50) of said building.

Description

1I A MULTI-STOREY APARTMENT BUILDING The present invention relates to a multi-storey apartment building. A problem that arises typically when building 5 apartment buildings concerns optimizing the number of dwelling units relative to the ground area. Strict local urban planning regulations apply, in particular regarding the building density and the gross floor area (GFA). The presence and the extent of the common parts of a 10 building, such as the corridors on each floor, for example, are naturally important factors in this regard. In addition, the weight of the building and the presence of parking spaces under the building require major work to be done below ground, thereby significantly 15 increasing the duration and the cost of the construction work. Furthermore, conventional apartment buildings pay little or no attention to environmental problems and to problems of accommodating ecological constraints, even 20 though such constraints are increasingly important these days. Documents US-5 749 186, DE 20 61 611, and FR-1 230 543 describe prior art systems. An object of the present invention is to overcome 25 the above-mentioned drawbacks. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a building that makes it possible to optimize the number of dwelling units relative to the ground area. Another object of the present invention is to 30 propose a building that makes it possible to optimize the parameters relating to energy consumption and water consumption, both for each individual dwelling unit and for the building as a whole. Another object of the present invention is to 35 provide such a building that is simple, quick and inexpensive to build, and economical to use.

2 The present invention therefore provides a multi storey apartment building, having a common central portion forming common parts, and at least two dwelling unit branches extending parallel to each other 5 substantially from each end edge of said common central portion, each dwelling-unit branch containing dwelling units, and each dwelling-unit branch being devoid of any common parts, the access to each dwelling unit being via exterior overhead walkways connecting said common central 10 portion to each dwelling unit, said exterior overhead walkways being disposed between two facing dwelling-unit branches of said building. Advantageously, said common central portion contains parking spaces, and at least one stairway and at least 15 one elevator making it possible to access the various floors of said building. Advantageously, said common central portion contains at least one entrance hall for the building. Advantageously, the building further has a service 20 center connected to each of the dwelling units via at least one water network and via at least one electricity network, said service center managing the water and electricity for each dwelling unit of said building. Advantageously, said service center is disposed on 25 the roof of said common central portion. Advantageously, photovoltaic cells are provided on the roof of the building, which roof is preferably a single-slope roof. Advantageously, in each dwelling-unit branch, the 30 dwelling-unit plan is the same on each floor, so as to simplify construction. Advantageously, on each floor, said exterior overhead walkways comprise a central overhead walkway extending in between two dwelling-unit branches, and a 35 plurality of transverse overhead walkways for connecting said central overhead walkway to each dwelling unit.

3 Advantageously, the building has at least one underground air heat exchanger for cooling and/or heating the dwelling units and/or the common central portion, which heat exchanger is connected to a heat pump of the 5 air/air type. Advantageously, the floor plan of the building is H shaped, or U-shaped, or in the shape of a single-sided comb or a double-sided comb. These and other advantages and characteristics of 10 the present invention appear more clearly from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, and in which: . Figure 1 is a horizontal plan view of a building 15 in an advantageous variant embodiment of the present invention; and - Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of two buildings in an advantageous variant embodiment of the present invention. 20 As shown in the figures, the building has a substantially H-shaped floor plan. The central portion of the H-shape forms a common central portion 10 that contains all of the common parts of the building, namely the parking spaces 11, the stairways 15 and the elevators 25 16. One or more entrance halls may also be provided on the ground floor of this common central portion 10. Advantageously, the number of parking spaces on each floor corresponds to the number of dwelling units on that floor, so that each dwelling unit has a parking space on 30 its floor. In a variant, the common central portion may have half-levels. These parking spaces may be equipped with electrical power outlets for recharging electric vehicles. An access ramp 12 is provided for driving to and from the upper floors. The fact that each dwelling 35 unit is on the same level as its associated parking space makes it possible to limit the number of elevators, and limits their use and therefore limits their maintenance.

4 Four dwelling-unit branches 20, 30, 40, and 50 extend on either side, approximately from the two end edges of the common central portion 10, so as to form an H-shape. Thus, as can be seen in the figures, the 5 branches 20 and 30 are on the same side and approximately parallel, and the same applies to the branches 40 and 50 on the other side of the common central portion 10. In accordance with the invention, these dwelling-unit branches are devoid of any common parts, i.e. they do not 10 have any corridors, or stairwells, or elevators. Similarly, the entrance halls are preferably provided in the common central portion. In a variant, the halls may be provided between the common central portion 10 and a respective dwelling-unit branch, when said branches do 15 not directly adjoin said common central portion. The present invention thus makes it possible to optimize the area used for the dwelling units. Advantageously, in each dwelling-unit branch, the dwelling-unit plan is the same on each floor. This simplifies construction, in 20 particular as regards passing the service ducts and the wiring and piping. The building of the invention has full disabled access. Balconies and/or terraces can be added to each dwelling-unit branch, preferably by being fastened to the facade by means of a self-supporting 25 structure. The cost of building such balconies is considerably less than the cost of building balconies incorporated into the slab, and disabled access to them is guaranteed. The H-shape is advantageous, but other ground plan 30 shapes are also possible. For example, a U-shape would be possible, with the base of the U-shape formed by the common central portion and the two branches of the U shape forming two parallel dwelling-unit branches. Similarly, a comb shape is possible, with a spine formed 35 by the common central portion and a plurality of parallel branches extending transversely on the same side from said spine. Naturally, a double-comb shape is also 5 possible, with dwelling-unit branches on either side of the spine forming the common central portion. In accordance with the invention, access to the dwelling units is via exterior overhead walkways 100 5 provided between two facing dwelling-unit branches. Since these overhead walkways are outside, they are therefore not included in calculating the gross floor area, and they therefore make it possible to optimize the number of dwelling units relative to the ground area of 10 the plot, by making it possible to omit the corridors usually necessary on each floor. Preferably, each of the exterior overhead walkways 100 comprises a central overhead walkway 110 connected to the common central portion 10, and a plurality of transverse overhead 15 walkways 120 connecting said central overhead walkway 110 to each dwelling unit. The central overhead walkway advantageously has "green" walls, i.e. walls covered with vegetation. This makes it possible not only to mask the view of the opposite branch, but also to procure 20 environmental advantages. Another advantage of the invention is that each dwelling unit has two aspects. In order to work towards a goal of "zero-energy" at which the building creates all of the energy it needs for its own consumption, three types of optimization need to 25 be provided. Firstly, the building envelope needs to be optimized so as to reduce energy needs. This can be achieved by acting on the insulation of the facades and of the roof, by improving the insulation of the glazing, by optimizing the orientations for passive energy 30 contributions (sun and wind), and by optimizing the positioning of the doors and windows relative to the directions in which the building faces. Secondly, it is desirable for the performance of the service installations to be optimized so as to avoid waste. This 35 can be achieved by reducing losses from the heating system, by reducing losses from the cooling system, and by using low-energy terminals, such as low-temperature 6 under-floor heating. Finally, use of renewable energies through active systems makes it possible to generate energy by using sources that are free. This can, in particular, be achieved by developing solar thermal 5 energy, solar photovoltaic energy and/or geothermal energy. Advantageously, the lower floors, i.e. typically the ground floor and the first and second floors, may be made of a lightweight concrete structure, of the "JK 10 structure" type or the like, and the upper floors may be made of a timber structure. It is thus possible to obtain a very considerable saving in weight for the building, which then weighs only one-third of the weight of an equivalent building made of a conventional concrete 15 structure. This, together with the absence of underground parking spaces makes it possible to reduce considerably the construction time and construction costs, in particular as regards the work below ground. A building of this type is also more economical to build 20 because it does not need major plant on site, such as cranes. The roof frame may be of conventional type, and the roofs are advantageously single-slope roofs, each of which may be made of one or more parallel roof segments. 25 The glazing is double-glazing or triple-glazing, the choice depending, in particular, on climatic conditions. Thus, in the North of France, triple glazing is more effective thermally, whereas in the South of France, doubling glazing, which is lighter in weight and less 30 costly, is amply sufficient. A double-flow ventilation system with a heat pump may be provided. A double-flow system consists in blowing air into the main rooms and in extracting air via a moist room. The use of a heat pump makes it possible 35 to participate in heating the rooms in the winter and in cooling them in the summer. Pollen filters are advantageously provided for cleaning the air entering 7 each dwelling unit and for preventing allergies. Heating is advantageously provided by an under-floor heating system acting by low-temperature emission. In the summer, the same system can serve to cool the rooms. 5 Combining the thermal effects of the floor and of the ventilation makes it possible to obtain optimum effects. The roofs may advantageously be formed entirely of photovoltaic panels, e.g. by an assembly procuring both weatherproofing and also thermal insulation. For 10 example, it is possible to use steel roofing panel systems having an insulating under-face and a photovoltaic system in the form of a thin film. Naturally, other roofing systems are possible. Naturally, each dwelling unit may be equipped with 15 low-consumption lighting bulbs, and systems making it possible to limit water consumption are installed in the faucets, showers, and toilets. Similarly, the interior paints are chosen with low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), typically less than 1 gram per 20 square meter (g/m 2 ) , or even less than that. By optimizing the various parameters, it is possible to reduce significantly the energy and water consumption per resident, and thus to reduce very substantially the costs of operating the building. 25 A service center CT is advantageously associated with one or more buildings of the invention. When it is associated with a single building, it may be provided on the roof of said building, e.g. on the roof of the common central portion 10. In a variant, it may be disposed 30 between two buildings, while being attached thereto as in the example shown in Figure 2, or while being separate therefrom, as in the example shown in Figure 1. A particular objective of this service center CT is to treat the wastewater and the rainwater from the building. 35 It can also perform centralized building management for managing the heating, electricity, and water for the building. For these purposes, it may be connected to 8 each of the dwelling units via at least one water network and via at least one electricity network. It may also contain common rooms and other leisure facilities in order to promote the social system of the building. For 5 example, it may contain mailboxes, garbage sorting containers, a sports room and/or a theater or entertainment venue, etc. Advantageously, said service center CT manages the electrical energy for said building, by recovering and 10 centralizing all of the electricity that is generated. In an advantageous aspect, said electrical energy is sold to the electricity supplier, e.g. an electricity utility like EDF, at an advantageous price in application of the currently applicable rules. In a variant, it is also 15 possible to store that energy and to sell it or distribute it to the dwelling units of the building, or indeed to combine the two systems. Wastewater and rainwater treatment is a particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention. Some or 20 all of the wastewater can also be recovered and treated for transformation into "greywater". This treatment may be performed chemically, or by using plants for phytotreatment, typically in an enclosed space. Naturally, such greywater obtained after treating 25 the wastewater is not drinking water and is therefore not reinjected into the drinking water circuit. The same applies to rainwater, which is mixed with the greywater. However, said greywater is totally appropriate for being used for flushing toilets, as well as for watering, for 30 washing automobiles, etc. Advantageously, the greywater is stored cold, for automobile washing, watering, and toilet flushing and also for cooling the air during hot periods as explained below, and said greywater may also be stored hot. For heating the greywater, preference is 35 given to solar heating, e.g. by using solar panels, which may be arranged on the service center or elsewhere, e.g. on the roof of the building or in separate kitchen 9 gardens. If necessary, it is possible to provide additional heating, such as wood-burning boilers, gas turbines, or steam turbines, or other known types of heating. For cooling greywater, it is possible to use 5 underground heat exchangers or "Canadian wells", consisting in laying the water pipes underground, typically about one meter underground. In this way, the water has a constant temperature all year round, of about 10 0 C to 120C, naturally with certain variations being 10 possible, in particular during prolonged very cold spells. Such underground heat exchangers may also be used to heat the common central portion 10 in the winter. In general, by using underground heat exchangers it is possible to supply cool water in the summer and water 15 that is not too cold in the winter. Advantageously, greywater may serve for under-floor heating or cooling in the dwelling units. Greywater may also serve to heat the hot water. For this purpose, plate heat exchangers are provided so that there is no contact between the drinking 20 water and the greywater, since the heat transfer takes place via the plate heat exchangers. If necessary, electric water heaters may take over to finish heating of the hot water. Underground heat exchangers may also be used to cool 25 the dwelling units and the common central portion in the summer, and/or to heat them in the winter. The pipes of the underground heat exchanger then contain air instead of water, and they are connected to a heat pump system of the air/air type. The entire system may be pooled for a 30 plurality of dwelling units, typically for six to ten dwelling units. Recovering wastewater and rainwater for transformation into greywater that can be used for heating and for cold uses makes it possible to reduce 35 drinking water consumption by an amount in the range 30% to 40%. This is very important, in particular for generating savings at wastewater treatment works. It is 10 often the wastewater treatment works that limit the number of dwelling units per plot, and a reduction in drinking water consumption of in the range 30% to 40% for a building thus makes it possible to increase the number 5 of dwelling units of identical size on any given plot by a corresponding amount. This aspect is naturally very important, in particular for rented social housing or for first-time buyer type housing. It is also possible to use cool greywater, e.g. from 10 an underground heat exchanger, for cooling the facades of the building. It is then possible to use a pump and nozzle system adapted to spraying droplets of cold water onto the facades, preferably from the roof. This also makes it possible to clean said facades. 15 The use of greywater for watering or for automobile washing, or for cooling and/or cleaning the facades is advantageous in that it is not subject to restrictions or bans during droughts, because it is not drinking water. By means of its reduced energy and water 20 consumption, and of its advantageous energy efficiency, a building of the invention can be self-sufficient in energy, and can even generate more energy than it needs for its everyday consumption. Thus, when the energy generated is sold to the electricity supplier, that sale 25 is currently at a price higher than the price at which each dwelling unit purchases its electricity. Since the quantity of electricity sold is generally greater than the quantity of electricity purchased, and since the sale price is greater than the purchase price, it appears 30 clearly that the balance is amply positive for the residents of the building. In any event, even when the electricity generated by the building is used rather than sold, the invention works in favor of a reduction in energy bills for the residents of the building. In 35 addition, the energy is generated mainly by solar energy, which is a totally renewable and non-pollutant energy.

11 An important advantage of centralized building management relates to cleaning and maintenance, which must be done by competent professionals. Such cleaning and maintenance is done not only for the service center 5 CT, but also for all of the service equipment connected to the dwelling units, and can therefore be managed more reliably, more efficiently, and at lower cost. For example, a heat pump and a pollen filter can be provided for ventilating a plurality of dwelling units, e.g. four 10 or five, without any risk of the individual occupants not doing the relevant maintenance or cleaning properly. In general, the service center and the centralized building management system make it possible for all of the service equipment and all of the maintenance thereof to be 15 pooled, thereby presenting major economic and ecological advantages. Advantageously, separate kitchen gardens or family gardens 300 may be provided, each garden having a shed that can be provided with a photovoltaic roof and/or with 20 solar panels, in order to generate energy, and being connected to the greywater network of the building for the purposes of watering. The kitchen gardens grouped together away from the buildings offer major advantages, in particular the advantage of being able to occupy land 25 that does not have building permission. Thus, by detaching the land corresponding to the kitchen gardens from the land of the respective dwelling units, it is possible to increase the number of dwelling units per plot, and thus to make better use of the permitted 30 building density while reducing the land area necessary for building dwelling units. In addition, the upstairs dwelling units can also have their own kitchen gardens. Visitor parking spaces 200 may be provided outside, e.g. along one side of the building. 35 Naturally, the present invention is described merely by way of example with reference to a particular embodiment, and it should be understood that the person 12 skilled in the art may make any modifications thereto without going beyond the ambit of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims (10)

1. A multi-storey apartment building, characterized in that it has a common central portion (10) forming common parts, and at least two dwelling-unit branches (20, 30, 5 40, 50) extending parallel to each other substantially from each end edge of said common central portion (10), each dwelling-unit branch containing dwelling units, and each dwelling-unit branch being devoid of any common parts, the access to each dwelling unit being via 10 exterior overhead walkways (100) connecting said common central portion (10) to each dwelling unit, said exterior overhead walkways being disposed between two facing dwelling-unit branches (20, 30; 40, 50) of said building. 15

2. A building according to claim 1, wherein said common central portion (10) contains parking spaces (11), and at least one stairway (15) and at least one elevator (16) making it possible to access the various floors of said building. 20

3. A building according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said common central portion (10) contains at least one entrance hall for the building. 25

4. A building according to any preceding claim, further having a service center (CT) connected to each of the dwelling units via at least one water network and via at least one electricity network, said service center managing the water and electricity for each dwelling unit 30 of said building.

5. A building according to claim 4, wherein said service center (CT) is disposed on the roof of said common central portion (10). 35 14

6. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein photovoltaic cells are provided on the roof of the building, which roof is preferably a single-slope roof. 5

7. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein, in each dwelling-unit branch, the dwelling-unit plan is identical on each floor, so as to simplify construction.

8. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein, 10 on each floor, said exterior overhead walkways (100) comprise a central overhead walkway (110) extending in between two dwelling-unit branches, and a plurality of transverse overhead walkways (120) for connecting said central overhead walkway to each dwelling unit. 15

9. A building according to any preceding claim, having at least one underground air heat exchanger for cooling and/or heating the dwelling units and/or the common central portion, which heat exchanger is connected to a 20 heat pump of the air/air type.

10. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein the floor plan of the building is H-shaped, or U-shaped, or in the shape of a single-sided comb or a double-sided 25 comb.