[0001] The present invention relates to a construction system - for a dwelling, such as
a residential dwelling or office, built up from a supporting structure comprising
columns, girders, floor sections and facade elements, whereby the columns are arranged
at some distance outside the flat facade elements and whereby furthermore specific
purpose units such as kitchens, bathrooms, w.c.
's etc. are provided. In actual practice various construction systems are already known
which aim at providing a cheap method of building so as to reduce the real estate
costs. Although this resulted in some reduction in price, at the same time considerable
monotony as introduced so that during building little or no consideration could be
given to the purchasor's requirements.
[0002] The present invention aims at providing a construction system which on the one hand
can lead to a considerable reduction in costs,, and which secondly permits a very
wide variety of variation, without it being necessary for the builder to keep in stock
or to have specially made a large number of different elements.
[0003] This aim is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the columns are present
only on two opposing facades of the dwelling , in that each purpose unit is always
located between two columns, and thereby at the same time performs the function of
facade elements, and in that the spacings between the columns appertain to one and
the same facade, also the width of the floor sections, and the dimensions of the facade
elements expressed in one and the same unitive length result in a number of numerical
values which together form terms in a series 'of the FIBONACCI-type.
[0004] The advantage obtained with this construction system is two-fold. Firstly it becomes
possible to obtain an independent supporting structure which forms the constructional
backbone of the system, the said structure being made up of columns and the floor
sections. Right from the outset these elements can be produced without being influenced
by the location or the purpose for which they Mill be subsequently employed. The same
applies to the facade elements and the "purpose units" and furthermore to the auxiliary
units fastened to the facades. The second advantage is connected with the application
of the dimensional system in accordance with a FIBONACCI series, the advantages of
which for use in certain applications have already been described in the previous
patent application 7415158. As a result of employing this dimensional system only
a limited number of elements need to be kept in stock, whilst the number of possible
combinations is extremely wide and consequently purchasor's requirements can be complied
with to a considerable extent.
[0005] The invention is especially typified in a dwelling obtained using the construction
system described above. In such a dwelling each purpose unit is designed as an open
box which is fastened between two columns and which is provided with supply pipes
and conductors for gas, water and/or electricity, together with a sewage main. The
facade consists on one side of the dwelling of a number of spatial facade elements
by means of which a kitchen, bathroom, shower area, washroom and the like can be formed.
The rest of the facade concerned, together with the remaining facades can be built
up from flat facade elements.
[0006] The invention will be discussed in greater detail with the aid of a large number
of drawings which provide an oversight of the large number of possibilities and of
some more detailed projects.
[0007] Sheet 1 illustrates in extremely schematic form, in perspective, a dwelling consisting
of two storeys in which the construction system is illustrated. The supporting structure
comprising a number of columns which are provided with a number of cantilevers which
project inwardly level with the floors. A girder with a Z-shaped cross-section for
supporting the floor sections, the upper face of which is level with the upper edge
of the cantilevers, rests on a pair of adjacent, cantilevers. The mutual spacing between
the columns is governed by the choice made by the purchaser of the dwelling concerning
the arrangement of the house, particularly the dimensions of the purpose units in
which the sanitary and other facilities are provided.
[0008] Fig. 2 illustrates the possibilities which exist with regard to the purpose units,
whereby the various dimensions can be regarded as terms from a FIBONACCI series. The
same diagram illustrates a'staircase element and a W.C extending across two storeys.
[0009] Concerning Fig. 1 and 2 which have just been mentioned, it can be pointed out that
each dwelling rests on two foundation strips which run in parallel and always have
the same cross-section. The load-supporting column structure is attached to this foudation.
The fact that the columns proceed in parallel and have a fixed cross-section makes
it easy to set out the site,
;check the dimensions and to provide the foundation system. The loading on the foundation
strips is fixed, per linear metre, because the span of the floor bays and thus the
prescribed loadings are already known. The columns are erected at distances which
are governed by the requirements imposed by the site requirements and the wishes of
the residents, as already described. The different dimensions are got up in accordance
with a series of the FIBONACCI-type. By this means it is possible, employing a minimum
number of differing spacings, to obtain a maximum of different sub-divisions, see
Fig. 2, together with Fig. 6-9 which will be described in the following. The columns
are located beyond the edge of the floor sections so as to permit independent location
of the floor elements, columns and facade elements.
[0010] The purpose elements shown in Fig. 2 are pre-fabricated in the factory. It is possible
here to employ standard sanitary and piping material, together with standard kitchen
units. Prefabrication extends up to the assembly and connection of all sub-components
such as baths, shower trays etc. and the provision of wall apertures and pipe connections.
As a result of the provision of wall apertures, the box-shaped purpose units which
are produced otherwise from neutral standard components are provided with a demonstrable
function, but if so these can be mounted at any point on the facades between two columns.
[0011] The pipes of a purpose unit are provided upon a plate or pipe bulkhead, see Fig.
15. Assembly is undertaken by installing the corresponding bulkhead and fastening
the pipes by means of quick release couplings or screwed couplings. If necessary this
can also be carried out using hoses. The said pipes are designed for water, gas and
sewage purposes. These are always located in the area reserved for this purpose directly
underneath the purpose units. Fig. 15 likewise shows that at the side of or inside
a technical purpose unit a shaft is provided on the vertical running of pipes. and
exhaust gases and for ventillation. This is the only point in the system where an
aperture is made through a roof, which reduces the risk of leakage.
[0012] Fig. 3'illustrates a number of auxiliary units which can be attached to the facade
opposite the purpose units. These auxiliary units can consist of a balcony, a bay
window, a plant greenhouse, a porch, a corridor and/or staircase, a conservatory,
a sun awning, a windshield, a terrace-or a gallery. A hybrid solution is also feasible
in which one of the facades is made up from purpose units and one or more auxiliary
units.
[0013] The cupboards for the dwelling are accommodated in a boxed zone which is directed
transverse to the floor sections, as can be seen in Fig. 4-7. This boxed zone also
contains electrical and heating/ventilation facilities. The zone can be accessed and
is exploitable from two sides. In these boxes there is a conductor duct located above
door level so that no wall apertures are required. These conductors can be consequently
included in the prefabrication stage. As can be seen in Fig. 4 between the boxes there
is a conductor space which can be employed for connecting up plug sockets, switches
and ventilation apertures.
[0014] For the sake of completeness Fig. 8 provides a schematic view of the floor widths
to be employed and the construction of these floors from only two different types
of floor components of differing widths, the dimensions of which comprise part of
the FIBONACCI series which forms the basis of the dwelling concerned. Fig. 9 illustrates
a number of embodiments of flat sites with the. supporting structure employed here
comprising four or five columns. This Fig. 9 illustrates how many variations are feasible
in spite of the limited number of basic elements or purpose units which are available
in prefabricated form.
[0015] Figs. 10 and 11 provide extremely scnematic illustrations of fairly compact structures
obtained using the system in accordance with the invention, i.e. a complete duelling
which is built
up only from prefabricated components whilst retaining a very large range of variations
which can be introduced without increasing costs.
[0016] A more refined embodiment of the bungalow type is shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Fig.
12 provides a frontal view and a plan view, whilst Fig. 13 provides a more detailed
perspective view in combination with a slightly sloping roof construction with ventillation
facilities which has been been employed. Fig. 14 again illustrates another embodiment
of a dwelling consisting of two storeys whereby the top storey is provided with a
great deal of balcony space. Fig. 15 provides a cut-away perspective view of a dwelling
consisting of two storeys with a detailed representation of the sanitary facilities
in the purpose units employed. Fig. 16 illustrates the design of a facade in which
a large number of solar shelter elements are provided and where the technical purpose
units are located on the rear facade face which is not illustrated.
1. Construction system for a dwelling, such as a residence or office, built up from
a supporting structure comprising columns, girders, floor sections and facade elements,
whereby the colums are arranged at some distance outside the flat facade elements
and whereby further- more specific purpose units such as kitchens, bathrooms, W.C.'s
etc. are provided, characterized in that the columns are present only on two opposing
facade faces of the dwelling, in that each purpose unit is always located between
two columns, and thereby at the same time performs the function of facade element,
and in that the spacings between the columns appertaining to one and the same facade
together- with the width of the floor sections and the dimensions of the facade elements
expressed in one and the same unit of length, result in a number of numerical values
which together form terms in a series of the FIBONACCI-type.
2. Dwelling obtained with the construction system according to claim 1, characterised
in that each purpose unit is designed as an open box attached between two columns,
which is provided with supply pipes for gas, water and/or electricity, together with
a sewage pipe.
3. Dwelling according to claim 2, characterised in that the incoming and outgoing
pipes are fastened to a supporting plate which is located underneath the corresponding
unit and to which the sanitary and other facilities are connected.
4. Dwelling according to claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the columns are provided
with cantilevers, projecting towards the inside, which are level with the floors,
whereby girders with a Z-shaped cross-section rest on these cantilevers so as to support
the floor elements.
5. Dwelling according to any one of claims 2-4, provided internally with cupboards,
characterised in that the cupboards are accommodated in a box zone which is transverse
to the floor sections, the zone being accessible on two sides and at the same time
performing a separating function.
6. Dwelling according to any one of claims 2 - 5, characterized in that the electrical
conductors in the purpose units and in the box zones are located above door height
and are incorporated in a collecting duct with branching-off facilities.
7. Dwelling according to any one of claims 2 - 6, characterized in that a shaft is
provided, at the side of or in a technical purpose unit, for the vertical transport
of pipes and exhaust gases and for ventilation.