WO2006003393A1

WO2006003393A1 - Building

Info

Publication number: WO2006003393A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/002562
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alana Dixon
Original assignee: Alana Dixon
Priority date: 2004-07-03
Filing date: 2005-06-30
Publication date: 2006-01-12
Also published as: GB2415968A; GB2415968B; GB0415006D0

Abstract

A building has an exterior surface forming the walls and roof thereof, the exterior of the building being generally polygonal in plan view such that each of the angles of the polygon defines a corner of the building, the exterior surface of each corner having substantially the shape of a part of a sphere, and the exterior surface between each corner having substantially the shape of a part of a cylinder, such that at least parts of the walls and roof of the building are curved. The polygon may be a triangle, thus providing a generally triangular-shaped building, in plan view. The shape and configuration of the building have specified technical benefits.

Description

Building

The present invention relates to a building, particularly (but not exclusively) a dwelling. Preferred embodiments of the invention have a modular, prefabricated and environmentally efficient construction.

With the ever-increasing impact upon our environment caused by energy usage and the consumption of raw materials and land, there is an ever-increasing need for energy efficiency and sustainable development. The present invention seeks to provide a building, especially for residential housing (but other uses for the building are possible), which has a novel environmentally sophisticated configuration that also enables simple fabrication and versatility of use and layout.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a building having an exterior surface forming the walls and roof thereof, the exterior of the building being generally polygonal in plan view such that each of the angles of the polygon defines a corner of the building, the exterior surface of each corner having substantially the shape of a part of a sphere, and the exterior surface between each corner having substantially the shape of a part of a cylinder, such that at least parts of the walls and roof of the building are curved.

Preferably the polygon is a regular polygon, such that the sides and angles thereof are substantially equal. Most preferably, the polygon is a triangle, such that the building has three corners in plan view and three walls extending between the corners.

A second aspect of the invention provides a building having an exterior surface forming the walls and roof thereof, the exterior of the building being generally triangular in plan view such that each of the angles of the triangle defines a corner of the building, the exterior surface of each corner having substantially the shape of a part of a sphere, such that at least parts of the walls and roof of the building are curved. The invention has at least the following combined advantages: (i) by the use of a generally polygonal layout the building has a simple and constructionally stable configuration (providing particular benefits described herein);

(ii) by the use of the particular defined curved exterior surface, the external surface area is generally maximised for the internal volume, thereby enabling increased energy efficiency and solar energy absorption; and

(iii) the use of the particular defined curved exterior surface also causes the building to provide a reduced barrier to wind, thereby enabling reduced heat losses due to wind, and also reducing the possibility of structural damage by high winds.

Preferred and optional features of the invention are described below and in the dependent claims.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective sketch of the exterior of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional sketch of the interior of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is partially outline perspective sketch of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is an outline view of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3, illustrating some constructional features of the invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of the exterior of an embodiment of the invention similar to that of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the ground floor of an embodiment of the invention similar to that of the embodiment shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of the first (i.e. upper) floor of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 views (a) and (b) are cross-sectional plan views of constructional details of preferred embodiments of the invention; and

Figure 9 is a partially outline perspective sketch of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

Throughout the following description, reference will be made to each of the accompanying drawing figures. Features of the invention that are identical or similar in each of the drawings are given the same reference number in each other drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective sketch of the exterior of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The invention comprises a building 1, the exterior of which is generally triangular in plan view, as shown in figures 6 and 7, such that each of the angles of the triangle defines a corner 3 of the building. The exterior surface 5 of each corner 3 has substantially the shape of a part of a sphere, as shown most clearly in figures 3 to 5 (continuations of the three spheres are indicated in dashed outline 6 in Figure 5). The exterior surface 7 of the building between each corner 3 has substantially the shape of a part of a cylinder, as shown most clearly in figures 1 and 4. The exterior surface of the building 1 defines the walls and roof of the building, such that parts of the walls and roof are curved. A middle portion 9 of the roof extending between the spherical parts and between the cylindrical parts of the exterior surface, is substantially flat. The building 1 shown in Figure 1 preferably is a residential building comprising at least one dwelling, but preferably two dwellings. The building has two stories, as shown in Figure 2, i.e. a ground floor 11 and a first floor 13 (which preferably are separate apartment flats). The building has a single exterior doorway 15, which serves as an entry and exit point for both stories. A staircase 17 provides access between the upper story 13 and the doorway 15 on the ground floor. Exterior windows 18 are provided on both stories of the building.

The main features of the structure and layout of the building 1 are shown in figures 2 to 4. In these drawings, the two stories 11 and 13 of the building are clearly shown, separated by a floor joist structure 19 of the upper story 13. As shown most clearly in Figure 4, the building is constructed on a framework. The framework comprises two columns 21, an upright cylinder 23, floor and ceiling joists 19 and 25, upper trusses 27, curved perimeter posts 29, curved cladding support rails 45 and curved perimeter beams 31. The two columns 21 and the upright cylinder 23 are arranged at the corners of a triangle, in plan view, and together they define the generally triangular plan of the building. The columns 21 and the cylinder 23 constitute the main upright structure of the framework, and are set into foundations, preferably in the form of a concrete ground slab 33, depending upon the particular conditions of the site. The cylinder 23, which preferably is formed from pre-cast concrete, performs dual functions in effectively being a third column supporting the building structure, and in defining room spaces 37 within the building (as described below). Above the cylinder 23 and connected thereto is a small column 35. The column 35, and the uppermost regions of the columns 21, are interconnected by the trusses 27, which stabilise the columns and the cylinder. The trusses 27 actually comprise two spaced-apart horizontal sets of trusses, the bottom set of which, and a perimeter beam 31, support the first floor ceiling joists 25. The joists 19, forming the basis of the floor of the upper story 13 and the ceiling of the lower story 11, are connected to the columns 21, the cylinder 23, and another perimeter beam 31. The curved perimeter posts 29 extend between the tops of respective columns 21 and 35, and the ground slab 33, to define the part-spherical exterior of the building at the corners 3 and to support the perimeter beams 31. Except for the cylinder 23 and the ground slab 33, all of the framework preferably is formed from metal, for example steel.

The staircase 17 extending between the ground floor 11 and the first floor 13 of the building, winds around part of the periphery of the cylinder 23. The staircase 17 preferably is formed from timber, and advantageously is attached to the cylinder via fire-protected soffits. As shown in figures 2, 6 and 7, the interior of the cylinder 23 preferably provides room spaces 37 in both stories of the building. Pre-cast concrete slabs preferably are provided within the cylinder 23, between the gound floor 11 and the first floor 13, and at the ceiling of the first floor. As illustrated, the room spaces 37 may advantageously function as bathrooms, for example. The cylinder 23 is provided with openings 39 in each story, which function as doorways into the room spaces 37.

The exterior surface 5, 7 of the building preferably is formed from prefabricated panels 41 attached to the above-described framework. Any suitable building construction panel material may be used, but a particularly preferred panel material comprises cellular glass sandwiched between metal (preferably steel) sheeting. Preferably the metal sheeting is adhered to the cellular glass, e.g. by means of fire resistant resin. The cellular glass may, for example, comprise FOAMGLAS (trade mark) insulation supplied by Pittsburgh Corning. Such cellular glass panels 41 provide combined advantages of: (i) the ability to be provided in the curved profiles required for the curved exterior surface of the building; (ii) excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties; (iii) excellent fire- resistant properties; (iv) off-site prefabrication; and (v) ease of assembly. The panels 41 may be clad on their internal surface (i.e. their external surface that is located inside the building) in a further layer, for example timber (especially sustainable timber). Preferably the outer sheeting of the panel forms the exterior surface of the building. The panels 41 preferably are also provided inside the building, between the ground floor and the first floor, and above the first floor, as acoustic and thermal insulation, as shown in Figure 2.

The panels 41 may be attached to the framework of the building in any suitable way. However, preferred forms of attachment are shown in Figure 8, views (a) and (b). As shown in Figure 8 (a), the panels 41 are interconnected preferably by means of "top hat" flashings 43, and are fixed to the framework of the building by means of the cladding support rails 45. The cladding support rails 45 are themselves preferably enclosed in smaller sections 47 of the panels 41. As mentioned above, the panels 41, and the smaller sections 47, may themselves be clad on their internally facing surfaces by another layer of material 49, e.g. timber (preferably sustainable timber). Figure 8 (b) shows a similar arrangement to that of Figure 8 (a), but using a circular cross-section cladding support rail 45 (rather than the rectangular cross-section rail 45 of Figure 8 (a)) and curved small panel sections 47. Also, in the Figure 8 (a) arrangement the extra cladding layer 49 is omitted.

Figures 6 and 7 show some preferred layouts of the living spaces contained in the building 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the ground floor 11, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of the first (upper) floor 13. In both views, the generally triangular configuration of the building is clearly seen, with the three corners 3 of the building having the shape of part of a sphere. Dashed lines 51 indicate the triangular plan provided by the two columns 21 and the axis of the cylinder 23. The dashed lines 51 also indicate the triangular configuration (in plan view) of the trusses 27 that interconnect the columns 21 and the upper column portion 35 provided at the top of the cylinder 23. As already shown in Figure 2, the interior 37 of the cylinder 23 on both floors preferably is arranged as a bathroom (although alternative uses could, of course, be made of this space), and the staircase 17 winds around part of the periphery of the cylinder 23. The remainder of the living space on each floor may, if desired, be left entirely open-plan, or alternatively it may be divided into a plurality of rooms. Advantageously, the dividing walls 53 defining the rooms may radiate towards the centre of the building from the peripheral walls 5 and 7. As indicated in Figures 6 and 7, the dwellings provided by the building 1 preferably include the usual types of living spaces, including bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and reception rooms. Other possible features may include sun patios and the like.

An advantage of the triangular arrangement (or other polygonal arrangement) in combination with the curved corners of the building, is that the internal dividing walls 53 may extend from substantially straight (in plan view) peripheral wall portions 7 thus providing right angled internal corners 55 (in plan view) while at the same time providing the various advantages of the rounded corner portions. As explained above, the rounded corner portions 3 (curved in two dimensions, i.e. both horizontally and vertically) and the rounded intermediate portions (curved in one dimension only, i.e. vertically) provide technical benefits to the building. Such technical benefits include a maximised external surface, thus maximising solar energy absorption for heating the building, and a reduced wind-resistance, thus minimising the thermal loss effect, and minimising the possibility of structural damage, due to wind. The rounded corner portions, and rounded intermediate portions also provide a technical benefit arising from their shape inside the building; the curved shapes have been found to facilitate thermal convection within the building, thus enhancing the distribution of heat, and reducing thermal gradients (which cause hot and cold spots), within the building. Such thermal effects are enhanced by the use of under-floor heating, although other forms of heating may be used in addition or alternatively.

As explained above, the building according to the invention is intended to be environmentally efficient, especially due to the technical advantages of its shape and configuration. Preferred aspects of its environmental efficiency include the use of high quality thermal insulation in the panels 41 externally and internally, the use of sustainable timber, and prefabrication providing both an efficient system of construction and the possibility of being disassembled and relocated in response to future land use changes, for example. Other environmentally aware features may also be used, for example the building may include "grey water" collection for use in flushing the toilets, for example. Such grey water may be collected and stored within the building, for example in the roof space 59, as shown in Figure 2.

Another technical advantage of the invention, as indicated above, is the polygonal configuration of the building. The preferred embodiments of the building, as described above and as shown for example in the accompanying drawings, are based upon a triangular configuration. This provides the benefits of being the simplest stable configuration - effectively being based upon a tripod configuration, thus being a simple design and a simple basic structure, while being highly stable. However, other polygonal forms, while at present less preferred, also offer to varying degrees the similar types of stability and simplicity of form and structure. For example, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, etc. configurations for the building may be used. The polygons do not need to be regular, i.e. irregular polygons may be used, but generally regular polygonal configurations are preferred.

An example of a particular advantage of the triangular configuration of preferred embodiments of the invention is illustrated in Figure 9. This drawing shows a stack of three (but more or fewer could be used) buildings 1 that form a modular larger building 61, for example an apartment building. The particular simplicity and stability of the triangular form of the building 1 lends itself to this system of modular stacking. However, the stacking of any polygonal configuration of buildings according to the invention may generally be possible. An additional structure, for example in the form of an "exoskeleton" framework 63 may be used to facilitate the stacking and to provide additional stability. The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 9 provides an apartment block of six apartment flats, from the three stacked buildings 1.

Claims

1. A building having an exterior surface forming the walls and roof thereof, the exterior of the building being generally polygonal in plan view such that each of the angles of the polygon defines a corner of the building, the exterior surface of each corner having substantially the shape of a part of a sphere, and at least part of the exterior surface between each comer having substantially the shape of a part of a cylinder, such that at least parts of the walls and roof of the building are curved.

2. A building according to claim 1, in which the polygon is a regular polygon, such that the sides and angles thereof are substantially equal.

3. A building according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the polygon is a triangle, such that the building has three corners in plan view and three walls extending between the corners.

4. A building having an exterior surface forming the walls and roof thereof, the exterior of the building being generally triangular in plan view such that each of the angles of the triangle defines a corner of the building, the exterior surface of each corner having substantially the shape of a part of a sphere, such that at least parts of the walls and roof of the building are curved.

5. A building according to claim 4, in which at least part of the exterior surface between each corner has substantially the shape of a part of a cylinder.

6. A building according to claim 1 or claim 5, in which the substantially cylindrical parts of the exterior surface are tangents of the substantially spherical parts.

7. A building according to claim 3 or claim 4, in which the triangle is an equilateral triangle.

8. A building according to any preceding claim, in which a portion of the roof extending between the spherical parts and between the cylindrical parts of the exterior surface is substantially flat.

9. A building according to any preceding claim, comprising a metal framework.

10. A building according to claim 9, in which the framework includes at least one column associated with each corner of the building.

11. A building according to claim 10, in which at least one of the columns comprises a hollow cylinder.

12. A building according to claim 11, in which the interior of the hollow cylinder provides at least one living space of the interior of the building.

13. A building according to claim 11 or claim 12, in which the hollow cylinder is formed from concrete, preferably pre-cast concrete.

14. A building according to any preceding claim, in which the exterior surface thereof is formed from a plurality of panels.

15. A building according to claim 14, in which the panels are prefabricated.

16. A building according to claim 14 or claim 15 when dependent upon claim 9, in which the panels are attached to the framework of the building.

17. A building according to any one of claims 14 to 16, in which the panels are formed at least in part from glass or ceramic material.

18. A building according to claim 17, in which the panels are formed at least in part from cellular glass.

19. A building according to claim 17 or claim 18, in which the panels comprise the glass or ceramic material and sheeting attached thereto on one or both major surfaces thereof.

20. A building according to claim 19, in which the sheeting is formed from metal, preferably steel.

21. A building according to any one of claims 14 to 20, further comprising a cladding layer attached to the exterior of the panels.

22. A building according to claim 21, in which the cladding layer comprises timber, preferably sustainably produced timber.

23. A building according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one dwelling.

24. A building according to any preceding claim, comprising two stories.

25. A building according to any preceding claim, that is stackable with at least one other said building to provide a modular larger building.

26. A modular building formed from a plurality of buildings according to any preceding claim.

27. A modular building according to claim 26, which has been formed by stacking the plurality of buildings.