GB2569137A

GB2569137A - Building and method of construction

Info

Publication number: GB2569137A
Application number: GB1720346.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nakkeeran Thangavelu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-12-06
Filing date: 2017-12-06
Publication date: 2019-06-12
Also published as: GB201720346D0

Abstract

The modular building comprises a framework including horizontal rails 2 attached to vertical rails 1, the rails defining rectangular gaps 4 in at least one side of the framework, with room modules 6 each having a planar floor 7 and planar ceiling 8 and being slidable into the framework through the gaps. The room modules may be removable from the framework. A crane 5 may be permanently located on an upper part of the framework for lifting the room modules into place. The room modules may be provided in pairs, each pair being arranged to form a studio apartment in the building. The room modules may contain prefitted furniture such as a sofa, bed, fitted kitchen cabinets and appliances, or a table. A bed may be attached to and lowerable from the ceiling of some of the room modules. Also claimed is a room module comprising three vertical walls and an open side arranged to mate with an open side of another module. A sliding partition may selectably divide a studio apartment formed by one or more of the modules into two rooms.

Description

Background to the Invention [0001] This invention relates to a modular building, a method of constructing a modular building and a module for use in a modular building.

[0002] A known method of constructing buildings, in particular hotels, comprises manufacturing a large number of room modules in a factory, each including internal fitted furniture, transporting the modules to the building site and stacking the modules in a stack to form the building.

[0003] This known method is suitable for hotels, where all of the rooms can be identical, but may be less suitable for apartment blocks where owners of the apartments may wish to customize the fittings. Another problem with this known method is that modules have to be transported by road, which limits their maximum size.

Summary of the Invention [0004] A first aspect of the invention provides a modular building comprising a framework, the framework including vertical rails and horizontal rails attached to the vertical rails, the vertical and horizontal rails defining rectangular gaps in at least one side of the framework, and room modules each including a substantially planar floor and a substantially planar ceiling, slidable into the framework through said gaps.

[0005] In one embodiment, at least one horizontal support rail extends across a horizontal aperture at the bottom of each space to be occupied by a room module. The horizontal support rail may extend in a direction in which the room module is inserted.

[0006] In embodiments of the invention, the room modules are removable from the framework.

[0007] A crane may be permanently located on an upper part of the framework for lifting the room modules into place.

[0008] The room modules may be provided in pairs, each pair being arranged to form a studio apartment in the building. Each module may comprise three vertical walls and an open side arranged to mate with an open side of another module.

[0009] The room modules may comprise pre-fitted furniture, for example bathroom furniture, kitchen cabinets and/ or appliances, at least one sofa and/or at least one bed. A bed may be attached to the ceiling of each of at least some of the room modules, and lowerable therefrom.

[0010] A sliding partition may be provided to selectably divide a studio apartment formed by one or more of the room modules into two rooms.

[0011] At least some of the room modules may be provided with connections that can be joined to service connectors provided in an inner part of the framework. These may provide for the supply of electricity, cold and/ or hot water, sewerage, gas and/or ventilation to the room module.

[0012] A second aspect of the invention provides a room module as described above.

[0013] A third aspect of the invention provides a method of constructing a building, comprising: forming a framework including vertical rails and horizontal rails attached to the vertical rails, the vertical and horizontal rails defining rectangular gaps in at least one side of the framework, and sliding room modules into the framework through said gaps, each room module including a substantially planar floor and a substantially planar ceiling.

[0014] In embodiments of the invention, the room modules are provided in pairs, each module comprising three vertical walls and an open side, a pair of modules is slid into one of the gaps with the open sides facing each other, and the vertical walls adjacent the open sides, the floor and the ceiling of one of the modules are joined to the vertical walls adjacent the open sides, the floor and the ceiling of the other module.

[0015] Lifting of each room module and sliding the room module into the framework may be carried out by means of a crane permanently located on the framework.

[0016] After sliding a room module into the framework, connections of the room module may be joined to service connectors provided in an inner part of the framework. These may provide for the supply of electricity, cold and/ or hot water, sewerage, gas and/ or ventilation to the room module.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0017] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic elevation of a building according to an embodiment of the invention, showing the insertion of a room module;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the building of Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 3 shows a detail of the building shown in Figure 2;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic horizontal section of a floor of the building; and [0022] Figure 5 is a detail of the horizontal section of Figure 4.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0023] Figures 1 and 2 show a framework for a block of studio apartments, formed from metallic rails, e.g. of steel, that have been welded together. In particular, the framework comprises vertical rails 1, transverse rails 2 and inwardly extending rails 3. Rectangular gaps 4 are formed in the sides of the framework. Each gap is defined by two adjacent vertical rails 1 and the intersecting transverse rails 2.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, inwardly extending rails 3 are provided at the corners of each gap 4. In this example, additional inwardly extending rails 3a extend from the transverse rails 2 at the midpoint of each gap 4.

[0025] In one example, the vertical rails 1 can have a square cross-section with sides of 150 mm. The main inwardly extending rails 3 can have a width of 200 mm and a height of 100 mm, whilst the transverse rails 2 and the additional inwardly extending rails 3a can have cross-sectional dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm.

[0026] In this example, the lowermost two floors of the building are occupied by retail units (not shown).

[0027] A crane 5, located at the top of the framework, can slide along rails to positions above different gaps 4. The crane is used to lift a room module 6 and slide it through one of the gaps 4 into the framework.

[0028] In this example, each apartment is formed from two modules which are both inserted into one of the gaps 4. Each module has a floor 7, a ceiling 8, three vertical walls 9 and an open side 10. The respective open sides of the two modules 6 face each other when the modules are inserted. Once inserted, the modules are secured to each other and to the framework by means of releasable fasteners (not shown).

[0029] Figure 4 shows one example of a floor plan for a building according to the invention. In this example, each floor includes twenty outward-facing apartments 11 and ten apartments 12 facing into a light well 13. The building includes elevators 14, staircases 15, and communal areas 16.

[0030] Figure 5 shows part of the plan in more detail. An apartment 11 is formed from two modules 6, each including furniture that is fitted off-site, e.g. in a factory, according to a customer's specification.

[0031] A first module 6a includes a sofa 16 and a bed 17 that is attached to the ceiling and can be lowered therefrom on telescopic posts.

[0032] A second module 6b includes fitted kitchen cabinets and appliances 18, a table 19, and a shower room 20 including sanitary appliances. This also includes connections that are coupled to service lines in a riser outlet 21, for electricity, gas, water, sewerage and ventilation.

[0033] The second module includes an apartment door 22. A further door 23 is provided in the corridor 24 of the building. This provides enhanced security for the residents. In addition, for safety, the door 23 can be kept locked shut when the room module 6b is absent. The modules 6a, 6b have windows 25.

[0034] Sliding partitions can be provided behind the sofa 16 so that the apartment can be temporarily divided into a living/ sleeping area provided by the first module 6a and a kitchen/bathroom area provided by the second module 6b.

[0035] A room module can include a balcony 26 shown in Figure 2.

[0036] The size of the room modules is such that the two modules 6a, 6b can be loaded on to a single trailer for transportation by road without causing a hazard. A customer specifies desired furniture, and the two modules are fabricated in a factory with the furniture installed. The modules 6 are then delivered to the building and installed into the framework. If the owner wishes to move, the room modules 6 can simply be removed from the building and installed in a different building in another location.

Claims

1. A modular building comprising a framework, the framework including vertical rails and horizontal rails attached to the vertical rails, the vertical and horizontal rails defining rectangular gaps in at least one side of the framework, and room modules each including a substantially planar floor and a substantially planar ceiling, slidable into the framework through said gaps.

2. A building according to claim 1, wherein at least one horizontal support rail extends across a horizontal aperture at the bottom of each space to be occupied by a room module.

3. A building according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal support rail extends in a direction in which the room module is inserted.

4. A building according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the room modules are removable from the framework.

5. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein a crane is permanently located on an upper part of the framework for lifting the room modules into place.

6. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein the room modules are provided in pairs, each pair being arranged to form a studio apartment in the building.

7. A building according to claim 6, wherein each module comprises three vertical walls and an open side arranged to mate with an open side of another module.

8. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein the room modules contain pre-fitted furniture.

9. A building according to claim 8, wherein a bed is attached to the ceiling of each of at least some of the room modules, and is lowerable therefrom.

10. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein a sliding partition is provided to selectably divide a studio apartment formed by one or more of the room modules into two rooms.

11. A building according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the room modules are provided with connections that can be joined to service connectors provided in an inner part of the framework.

12. A room module for insertion into a building framework, the room module being as set out in one of claims 7 to 11.

13. A method of constructing a building, comprising: forming a framework including vertical rails and horizontal rails attached to the vertical rails, the vertical and horizontal rails defining rectangular gaps in at least one side of the framework, and sliding room modules into the framework through said gaps, each room module including a substantially planar floor and a substantially planar ceiling.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the room modules are provided in pairs, each module comprising three vertical walls and an open side, a pair of modules is slid into one of the gaps with the open sides facing each other, and the vertical walls adjacent the open sides, the floor and the ceiling of one of the modules are joined to the vertical walls adjacent the open sides, the floor and the ceiling of the other module.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein lifting of each room module and sliding the room module into the framework is carried out by means of a crane permanently located on the framework.

16. A method according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein, after sliding a room module into the framework, connections of the room module are joined to service connectors provided in an inner part of the framework.