NL2011048C2

NL2011048C2 - Novel building concept.

Info

Publication number: NL2011048C2
Application number: NL2011048A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Ralph Antony Mohammed Ali Mamadeus
Original assignee: Mamadeus Invest B V
Priority date: 2013-06-27
Filing date: 2013-06-27
Publication date: 2015-01-05

Description

Novel building concept

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of an improved environmental friendly housing concept based on flexible building units, a combination of such building units, a complex having a significant number of the building units, and a client server architecture for managing said complex and building units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A major problem in modern cities is that especially for people with a small budget supply and demand of housings are not balanced.

Nowadays it is difficult to build housing for people having a small budget. As especially in larger cities a land price forms a significant part of costs involved. Further, costs of maintenance of housings and costs for energy should be as low as possible. A further problem is that especially for people having a small budget, such as young people, adequate housing is scarcely available. As a consequence waiting times for obtaining housing are long. An issue with a number of occupants per housing is that the number of occupants often is one, sometimes two, whereas available housing is typically meant for families.

In view of environmental issues it is preferred to have consumption of energy as low as possible.

It is also preferred to have housing integrated in the city as much as possible, such as in terms of livability, availability of schools, learning opportunities, shops, etc.

In view of management and finance it is important to keep a level of occupation of housings as high as possible. For sake of maintenance it is important that social behavior of occupants and other people having access to residential units and the direct environment is as good as possible. In this respect it is noted that in present life many factors play a potentially destabilizing and demotivating role.

Further housing and complex should be in line with city regulations and city policies.

The present invention therefor relates to an improved environmental friendly housing concept based on flexible building units, a combination of such building units, a complex having a significant number of the building units, and a client server architecture for managing said complex and building units, which overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages, without jeopardizing functionality and advantages .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a flexible building according to claim 1, in a second aspect to an integrated complex according to claim 6, in a third aspect to a client server architecture according to claim 9, as well as to a method of sub-dividing a building complex and use of a complex.

An advantage of the present flexible units is that social security and social embedding of occupants (or tenants) is improved significantly by providing further measures .

By closely monitoring and managing a degree of occupation of the present complexes, social circumstances of the inhabitants, etc., instabilities are prevented as much as possible or dealt with in an early stage. Such can be further improved by providing positive stimuli to occupants, such as employment opportunities, coaching, etc. An improved stability will eventually lead to an improved well-being of occupants and improved chances in the rest of their lives .

The present complex provides a safe and pleasant environment. The present complex provides a dense number of occupants per unit area embedded in a social structure, thereby increasing social awareness, responsibility, self-confidence, social interaction, and level of education in a broad sense, while maintaining privacy.

The present units are built in a durable and environmental friendly manner, taking into account concepts as cradle to cradle, aiming at zero emission of carbon dioxide, in a profitable manner.

Thereby the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems.

Advantages of the present description are detailed throughout the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a flexible building unit having an energy saving unit, the energy saving unit comprising a movable wall, the movable wall being located in proximity of an entrance, the movable wall being movable form a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position an entrance area is formed being thermally insulated from a remaining portion of the building unit, and wherein in a second position a room is formed being spatially separated from a remaining portion of the building unit. By providing a movable wall energy losses which occur when opening a front door are minimized. The movable wall preferably comprises further insulation, such as inside the wall. Preferably also sealing means and provisions for adequate sealing are provided, such as combined with the movable wall, or provided in adjacent structures, such as floor, ceiling, etc. As the movable wall can be moved from a first to a second position, wherein in a first position it provides thermal insulation, and in a second position it provides a separation, only one wall is needed instead of two walls, such is easier to build and saves costs.

In an example the movable wall is rotatable, comparable to a door, from a first to a second position. Likewise in an example the movable wall can slide from the first to the second position, e.g. along guides or rails, such as guides or rails being attached to a ceiling. The movable wall preferably also has further insulation means, such as a polymer foam, rock wool, glass wool, etc., to reduce thermal losses and to reduce a noise level.

In an example the present flexible unit comprises a framing structure, such as a structure made from steel, concrete, wood, and combinations thereof, and at least one removable space separation element. As such building costs, building time, complexity, etc. are reduced significantly.

In an example the present flexible unit comprises one or more of an energy monitor, a water usage monitor, a balcony, such as a French balcony, a kitchen, a removable washroom, the washroom comprising a shower unit, a wash stand, and a lavatory. Also various forms of domotica may be provided. Typically heating is provided through a floor and/or by a heat retrieval unit. Ventilation by windows that may be (partially) opened and mechanical ventilation is also provided. Monitoring is regarded to be important as with data gathered by the monitors feedback can be provided to tenants on their behavior in this respect. Such feedback will lead to improved behavior and as a result a lower consumption of energy, water, and natural resources in general. If adaptation of behavior leads to reduced costs (for a unit) also a reduction in rent may be considered. Considering the opportunity of combining units (later in time) optimal flexibility is a great advantage, without compromising functionality. In that respect a removable washroom, kitchen, and removable walls are provided.

In an example the present flexible unit comprises at least one, preferably two, barriers, the barriers being shared by adjacent flexible building units, the barriers reducing ambient noise and providing thermal insulation of the flexible unit. Such is considered unique. In prior art units these are typically at the most isolated from an environment on one side thereof. The present example provides at least one, shared barrier, and typically at least two. Especially in terms of consumption of natural resources, as well as noise insulation, such as highly preferred.

Having low energy consumption of the present units and of the present complex reduces a cost of living, which is especially relevant for people with a low budget.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to two or three combined flexible building units according to the invention. By providing units based on standardized di mensions and standardized infrastructure, part of the dimensions and infrastructure being optional, a high degree of flexibility is provided. A present unit in an example has a floor area of 20-40 m2, preferably 25-35 m2, such as 29 m2. When building a unit, and also later in time, two or more units may be combined into one "larger" unit, without much effort and costs.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to an integrated complex comprising multiple building units, such as 100-2000 building units, such as building units according to the invention. Preferably at least one building unit according to the invention is present, more preferably at least one present building unit per segment, even more preferably at least one present building unit per group.

The present complex comprises (a) at least two spatially separated segments, each segment comprising at least one spatially separated group, each group comprising 2-30 units, preferably 5-20 units, more preferably 7-15 units, each group comprising at least one, preferably two, barriers, the barriers being shared by adjacent groups, the barriers reducing ambient noise and providing thermal insulation of the group. As such the complex is subdivided into parts that combine in a natural manner, that can be overseen, that can be monitored, that are socially pleasant and acceptable, and that provide a sense of responsibility to tenants. The internal space of the complex is ordered taking into account various aspects, such as social aspects, performance, etc., and coupling the aspects into one concept. The barriers provide the above advantages. Further the present complex is preferably made from strong, durable, weather proof materials. As such maintenance, costs, efficiency, etc. are optimised, both in short term and long term perspective. The present segments may be referred to (by tenants) in view of their relative location, such as "atrium north", "waste-fuel south", etc.

In view of a number of segments two segments are clearly a minimal number, not preferred at all. In view of further aspects and advantages of the present complex a subdivision over more segments is preferred, such as 3-8 seg ments. In view thereof a number of segments depends to some extent on a number of units in the present complex, i.e. a higher number of units could imply a higher number of segments .

When entering the complex people access a (b) central or main entrance being publicly accessible. The central entrance and central space are a relatively voluminous environment, which is having a significant length, width and height. In order to provide some guidance, it typically does not relate to a smaller space, such as a lobby or the like. The central entrance and central space provide allure to the complex, is a place to be, a place for a community to gather or to stay, and to live. Typically the central entrance and space are monitored by a janitor or the like. The central space may be considered as an intermediate space, between a public space outside and the private space (segments, groups, units) inside. As such the central entrance may be considered semi-public and semi-private.

From the central entrance access to (c) one or more spaces is provided. A variety of spaces may be present, selected from (i) commercial spaces, such as for business, for shops, (ii) recreational spaces, such as sport facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars, coffee corners, garden, atrium, a film theatre, a theatre, (iii) employment spaces, such as for training, for an employment agency, (iv) learning spaces, such as for training, for education, parking spaces for (electrical) vehicles, such as for bicycles, cars, scooters, motor cycles, preferably having one or more power supplies, and(v) support staff spaces, such as for a housing cooperation, a janitor, a complex manager. A such a high overall level and a high flexibility in use of the complex is provided, making e.g. the complex a pleasant place to be for various reasons. The atrium and/or garden may and will also function as a second barrier. The atrium and/or garden create an intermediate climate (between outside and inside of a unit), with a good humidity, dust level, oxygen level, noise level, which improves health and well-being of tenants. In this respect in an example also roof gardens and the like are provided.

In order to go from one space to another, or from one segment to another, (d) at least two interconnectors allowing passage from the central entrance to a segment or from a central entrance to the one or more spaces are provided. These interconnectors allow passage of a typical number of persons passing at a certain point in time, that is may be relatively voluminous as in the above case of the central entrance; especially when access to an often frequented space needs to be provided. A number of interconnectors is in an example at least equal to a number of segments. In a further example also two or more segments are interconnected. As such a number of interconnectors is n!/2, n being the number of segments and central entrance. It is noted that the present interconnector is a relatively voluminous entity, being much larger than e.g. a hall way. The voluminous entity provides an awareness to a user of being in a different "environment", e.g. compared to an entrance, group, etc. Also the present interconnectors are meant to provide social and emotional well-being, as well as allowing passage to a relatively large number of people per unit time.

It is a goal of the present complex (and units) to minimize use of natural resources and/or to regain as much as possible from a waste stream. The principle of cradle to cradle is hereby embraced. Part of this goal is achieved by providing (e) one or more processing units, selected form an energy retrieval unit, a waste to fuel unit, a water retrieval unit, a nutrient separation unit, a water supply unit, a climate control unit, an observation unit, a PV-unit, a solar collector, and an energy harvesting unit. The present processing units are fully integrated in the complex, from its conceptual design onwards. As a result consumption of natural resources is minimal. In some aspects the complex even "generates" resources, e.g. as resources are brought into the complex by tenants, such as in the form of waste food converted into fuel. These generated resources may for instance be used to provide electricity to cars, scooters, bicycles and the like.

In order to stimulate consciousness with respect to use of natural resources and to improve attractiveness (f) one or more visible infrastructure elements forming part of the one or more processing units, such as water tubing, for functioning as learning tool and artistic element, the elements being located in one or more of the central entrance and one or more spaces, are provided. A tenant can directly see e.g. results of waste treatment and production of energy.

Further one or more monitors may be provided, in an example as stand-alone systems or connected to a central observation unit, or in an example directly linked to the present client server architecture. The one or more monitors may provide information on e.g. use of natural resources, presence, absence, etc. As data is directly available also action may be taken, e.g. by a janitor, to improve e.g. use of natural resources, thereby minimizing consumption thereof. The monitors may provide a ranking e.g. reflecting tenants having best practices.

It is important to have a safe complex, allowing access only to people having a legitimate reason to be in the complex. Also for social and motivation purpose the present inventors would like to monitor presence and behaviour, in some detail. Therefore (g) one or more control units are provided, such as an electronic key for allowing access to one or more of a central entrance, a segment, a group and a unit, a camera, such as an optical camera, and an infrared camera. The present electronic key may relate to a so-called key card, typically an RFID-card.

In an example the present integrated complex is in absence of alcoves and recesses having no direct visual control. It has been found that such absence improves actual safety and sense of safety.

In an example of the present integrated complex the central entrance, commercial spaces and recreational spaces are located on a ground floor. In view of use, energy consumption and further practical and social aspects it has been found advantages to have various spaces located on the ground floor, i.e. directly accessible from a main entrance .

In a fourth aspect the present invention relates to a client server architecture for improving performance of a complex comprising one or more control units, such as an electronic key for allowing and registering access to one or more of a central entrance, a segment, a group and a unit, a camera, such as an optical camera, an infrared camera. For monitoring and control data of the control units are provided to e.g. a server. The server may to some extent be accessible to clients, typically tenants and other stakeholders, such as via an intranet. As such further reduction of use of energy, water, etc. and improvement of recycling and re-usage are obtained. It is noted that in this respect advanced software is developed, as well as advanced hardware.

Further one or more of an energy monitor, a water-usage monitor, a presence monitor, and a waste production monitor are provided. As such all aspects of energy usage, water usage, presence and waste production can be monitored and controlled, on a total basis (per complex), and subdivided basis (per segment, group and unit). Such data obtainable form the monitors and control units are typically stored. Thereto a monitor and control database for storing data from the monitor and control units are provided.

For financial and social purpose payment and presence behaviour of tenants is checked on a regular basis. It is important to react quickly, preferably at a first instance a tenant re-enters the complex, on unwanted behaviour, such as lack of payment (of a rent), presence at times tenants should or should not be in the complex, such as during working hours, etc. Thereto a tenant database is provided. As a reaction from the client server a tenant's key may for instance be locked.

In an example the present client server comprises a means for receiving interaction data of a user, wherein the interaction data comprise personality characteristics of the user. As such a clear impression from the tenant as well as from a population of the complex can be obtained, e.g. for job purposes. The personality characteristics of the user may comprise level of education, level of expertise, finalized training experiences, previous working experience, ambition, motivation, teacher and trainer observations, such as intrinsic motivation, social behavior characteristics, and attitude characteristic. A goal is to optimize usage of the complex, e.g. in terms of revenues, social behavior of tenants, usage of natural resources, etc.

In an example data relating to a job position, or absence thereof, and individual tenant, are monitored. In view of performance of the present complex, and likewise of the tenants, it is important that all, or at almost all, of the tenants have a job. If one or more tenants fail to have a job the present monitoring allows for a quick reaction, aimed at improving the situation, e.g. by assisting a tenant to a (new) job position.

In an example the present client server comprises one or more database selected from a housing data base comprising characteristics of one or more housing cooperations, a citizen data base comprising basic characteristics of citizens, such as social security number, name, address, date of birth, legal contracts, validation documents, a city data base comprising public and private transportation data, location of facilities, security data, an complex database comprising characteristics of one or more integrated complexes, a job data base comprising job opportunities and internship opportunities, and a means for matching interaction data, and data of one or more data bases such as characteristics of the one or more integrated complexes and job opportunities. By having one or more of the above data (bases) available and accessible relevant information can be made use of as e.g. explained above. In fact many aspects of life of tenants can be supported. As such the present complex may function as means to improve living, working, learning and residing of tenants. It also may function as a means of integrating such an approach. And further, all these aspects, especially relevant for youngsters having less chances in our society, can be monitored and controlled, in an acceptable and positive manner .

In a fifth aspect the present invention relates to a method of sub-dividing a building complex, comprising the steps of segmentation, grouping, spacing and interconnecting. Advantages thereof are explained throughout the description .

In a sixth aspect the present invention relates to a use of a complex as a tool for one or more of reducing energy consumption, reducing water consumption, reducing waste, improving sustainability of the complex, improving social behavior of residents, interconnecting two or more of living, working, learning and living, and training residents. Advantages thereof are explained throughout the description .

The invention is further detailed by the accompanying figures, which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims .

SUMMARY OF FIGURES

Figures 1 a-d show present building units.

Figures 2 a-d show floors of a present complex.

Figures 3 a-c show artist impressions of a present complex. Figures 4 a-b show artist impressions of a present complex. Figure 5 shows a side view of a present complex.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure la shows a schematic of one building unit 100, comprising an entrance 3, typically a door, and the present movable wall in positions 1 and 2. In the example the present wall is rotatable.

Figure lb provides further details of the present building unit, comprising a washroom 4, a kitchen 5, a living 6, and a bed room 7.

In figure lc two building units are combined into one larger unit, whereas in figure Id three units are combined .

Figures 2 a-d show floors of a present complex, respectively main floor, first, second and third floor (2a-d), comprising the present units 100. An arrow on the left side of fig. 2a indicates an entrance for people, an arrow on the right side indicates an entrance for vehicles. Further, space 201 indicates a restaurant, spaces 202 commercial spaces, space 203 parking units, space 205 a reception, space 206 a working or training area, space 207 storage areas, space 208 a working unit, space 209 an atrium, and space 204 a main entrance .

Figures 3 a-c show artist impressions of a present complex. Therein a public road 300, a main entrance 204, a central space 211, and interconnectors 410, are shown. The central space provides control of the complex. Further in figure 3b a shared outer space 500, preferably on a south side, is provided. Central space 211 has public functions. Space 212 can be regarded as a space for some social and behavioral control, inherently and further by providing monitoring. Space 213 is meant for social events, such as meeting one and another, conferences, a TV-space, for work, etc.

In fig. 3c space 213 is a large meeting space, space 215 provides access to education areas, to groups of units, to further common spaces, and 204 is a central entrance.

In fig. 4a a training space 206, a restaurant 201, a central entrance 204, a central space a reception 205, an entrance to outer space 500, and an interconnector 410 is shown .

In fig. 4b an outside view of a present complex is shown, having a main entrance 204, spaces for education 206, parking spaces 203, a commercial space 202, a collective outer space (garden) 500, a central space 217, and a large meeting space 213.

Figure 5 shows a side view of a present complex. Therein numbers indicate a floor (or level).

The invention although described in detailed explanatory context may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying examples and figures.

It should be appreciated that for commercial application it may be preferable to use one or more variations of the present system, which would similar be to the ones disclosed in the present application and are within the spirit of the invention.

Claims

A flexible building unit (100) with an energy-saving unit, wherein the energy-saving unit comprises a movable wall (1,2), the movable wall being in proximity to an entrance (3), the movable wall being movable from a first position (1) to a second position (2), wherein in the first position an entrance area is formed which is thermally insulated from a remaining part of the building unit, and wherein in a second position a space is formed spatially separated from a remaining part of the building unit.

The flexible building unit according to claim 1, wherein the building unit comprises a frame structure, such as a structure of steel, concrete, wood, and combinations thereof, and at least one removable space separation element.

The flexible building unit according to any of claims 1-2, further comprising one or more of an energy monitor, a water consumption monitor, a presence monitor, a waste production monitor, a balcony, such as a French balcony, a kitchen, a removable wet room, the wet room includes a shower unit, a sink, and a toilet.

The flexible building unit according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising at least one, preferably two, barriers, wherein the barriers are divided by adjacent flexible building units, wherein the barriers reduce ambient noise and provide thermal insulation of the flexible unit.

Two or three combined flexible building units according to any one of claims 1-4.

An integrated complex consisting of multiple building units, such as 100-2000 building units, such as building units according to any of claims 1-5, the complex comprising (a) at least two spatially separated segments, each segment comprising at least one spatially separated group, each group comprising 2-30 units, preferably 5-20 units, more preferably 7-15 units, wherein each group comprises at least one, preferably two, barriers, the barriers being shared by neighboring groups, the barriers reduce ambient noise and provide thermal insulation of the group, (b) a central entrance accessible to the public, (c) one or more spaces selected from (i) commercial spaces, such as for business and for shops, (ii) recreational spaces, such as sports facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars, garden, atrium, a movie theater, and a theater, (iii) employment spaces, such as for training and for an employment agency, (iv) learning room such as for training, for education, parking places for (electric) vehicles, such as for bicycles, cars, scooters, motorcycles, preferably with one or more power supplies, (v) support staff areas, such as for a housing association, a caretaker, and a complex manager, (d) at least two interconnectors that provide passage from the central entrance to a segment or from a central entrance to the one or more spaces, (e) one or more processing units selected from an energy recovery unit, a waste to fuel unit, a water recovery unit, a nutrient separation unit, a water supply unit, a climate control unit, an observation unit, a PV unit, a solar collector and an energy harvesting unit, (f) one or more visible infrastructure elements that are part of the one or more processing units, such as water pipes, for functioning as a learning tool and as an artistic element, with the elements placed are in one or more of the central entrance and one or more spaces, and (g) one or more control units, such as an electronic key to provide access to one or more of a central entrance, a segment, a group and a unit, a camera, such as an optical camera and an infrared camera.

The integrated complex according to claim 6, in the absence of the niches and recesses that do not have direct visual control.

The Integrated Complex according to any of claims 6-7, wherein the central entrance, business premises and recreational spaces are located on the ground floor.

A client-server architecture for improving the performance of one or more integrated complexes as claimed in any one of claims 6-8, comprising one or more control units, such as an electronic key for allowing and registering access to one or more of a central entrance , a segment, a group and a unit, a camera, such as an optical camera and an infrared camera, one or more of an energy monitor, a water consumption monitor, a presence monitor, and a waste production monitor, a monitor and control database for storing data from the monitoring and control units, and a tenant database.

The client-server architecture according to claim 9, further comprising a website on a client terminal display, a means for receiving interaction data from a user, wherein the interaction data comprises personal characteristics of the user, wherein the personality characteristics of the user comprise training level, degree of expertise, completed training experiences, previous work experience, ambition, motivation, teacher and trainer observations, such as intrinsic motivation, social behavioral characteristics and attitude characteristics.

The client-server architecture according to one or more of claims 9-10, further comprising one or more databases selected from a housing database comprising characteristics of one or more housing associations, a citizen database comprising basic characteristics of the citizens, such as the social security number, name , address, date of birth, legal contracts, and validation documents, 17 a city database comprising public and private transport data, location of facilities, and security data, a complex database comprising features of one or more integrated complexes according to one or more of claims 6-8, a work database comprising vacancies and internship opportunities, and a means for coordinating interaction data, and the data from one or more databases such as characteristics of the one or more integrated complexes and employment opportunities.

12. Method of subdividing a building complex, comprising the steps of segmentation, grouping, spatial layout and interconnection.

Use of a complex, as claimed in any one of claims 6-8 as an instrument for one or more of reduction of energy consumption, reduction of water consumption, reduction of waste, improvement of sustainability of the complex, improvement of social behavior of residents, interconnecting two or more of living, working, learning and living, and training residents. 1 1 0 4β