Buildings Formed From Complementary Building Modules, And Methods For Building Same

Abstract

Buildings are described that incorporate at least a folding building module and a complementary building module that also can be a folding building module. The building modules can be shipped to the building site separately and can be unfolded and connected quickly. The described foldable houses and buildings exhibit more design flexibility, are formed from easily transported building modules, and/or allow folded building modules that are substantially in finished condition. Additionally, methods for forming the buildings and houses are described.

1 . A building formed at least in part from a first unfolded building module connected to a complementary building module. 
     
     
         2 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the complementary building module is a second unfolded building module. 
     
     
         3 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the complementary building module includes a panel having a first side and an opposing second side, and the first side provides an interior surface in the complementary building module and the second side provides and interior surface in the first unfolded building module. 
     
     
         4 . The building of  claim 1 , having a steel structural frame, wherein a plurality of connected complementary unfolded building modules provide substantially all of the steel structural frame of the building. 
     
     
         5 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein a first structural load carrying member of a panel of the first unfolded building module and a second structural load carrying member of a panel of the connected complementary building module form a combined structural load carrying member. 
     
     
         6 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the first unfolded building module and the complementary building module are structurally interdependent. 
     
     
         7 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the first unfolded building module and the complementary building module are connected without substantial structural redundancy. 
     
     
         8 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the first unfolded building module and the complementary building module, when not connected, are not independently structurally stable. 
     
     
         9 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the first unfolded building modules, in unconnected and folded configuration, exhibits a box-type shape. 
     
     
         10 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the first unfolded building module has a core part and an unfolded part connected to the core part. 
     
     
         11 . The building of  claim 10 , wherein the complementary building module is a second unfolded building module, and (i) the unfolded part of the first unfolded building module is connected to a complementary core part of the second unfolded building modules, or (ii) the core part of the first unfolded building module is connected to a complementary core part of the second unfolded building modules. 
     
     
         12 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the first unfolded building module and the complementary building module are connected at one side and positioned such to share only part of the side. 
     
     
         13 . The building of  claim 1 , wherein the first unfolded building module and the complementary building module are connected through a plurality of connection assemblies that (i) form from complementary panels of the building modules, and (ii) are in substantially finished condition when the panels are connected. 
     
     
         14 . A house formed at least in part from a first unfolded building module and a connected complementary second unfolded building module, wherein the first unfolded building module and the second unfolded building module, each independently, have a core part and an unfolded part attached to the respective core part; i) the unfolded part of the first unfolded building module is connected to a complementary core part of the second unfolded building module, ii) the unfolded part of the first unfolded building module is connected to the complementary unfolded part of the second unfolded building module, or iii) the core part of the first unfolded building module is connected to a complementary core part of the second unfolded building module; and the first unfolded building module and/or the second unfolded building module contain kitchen elements and/or bathroom elements in one or both of the respective core structures that were present in the respective folded building modules. 
     
     
         15 . The house of  claim 14  having a structural frame, wherein the first and second unfolded building module provide the structural frame of the building. 
     
     
         16 . The house of  claim 14 , wherein the structural frame comprises a combined structural load carrying member formed from one or more structural load carrying members of the first unfolded building module and one or more structural load carrying members of the second unfolded building module. 
     
     
         17 . The house of  claim 14 , wherein the first unfolded building module has a section that provides a first interior surface of the first unfolded building module and a second interior surface of the second unfolded building module, wherein the first and second interior surface are opposite sites of the section. 
     
     
         18 . The house of  claim 14 , wherein the connected unfolded building modules are not connected with a marriage wall. 
     
     
         19 . The house of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second unfolded building modules, when unconnected, are structurally independent in folded configuration and not structurally independent in unfolded configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The house of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second unfolded building modules in folded configuration are dimensioned and shaped such that fit within a volume spanned by a length of 70′, a width of 16′ and a height of 15′, while providing in combination a total floor area of between 300 and 5000 square feet. 
     
     
         21 . The house of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second unfolded building modules are connected at one side and positioned such that they only share part of the side. 
     
     
         22 . The house of  claim 14 , wherein the building has a structural frame that is provided by up to five connected complementary unfolded building modules. 
     
     
         23 . A method of forming a building comprising:
 (a) setting a first folded building module on a foundation, the folded building module having a core structure and an unfoldable structure attached to the core structure, the unfoldable structure including a plurality of foldably connected panels;   (b) unfolding part or all of the unfoldable structure of the first folded building module to form an unfolded structure;   (c) setting a complementary building module on the foundation and positioned such that panels of the complementary building module complement respective panels of the unfolded structure;   (d) connecting the panels of the complementary building module and respective panels of the unfolded structure; and   (e) connecting one or more roof elements to the building modules.