Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-17
2003-06-17
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
C052S079100, C052S236300, C052S236500, C052S236600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06578330
ABSTRACT:
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a building or condominium structure which includes two or more vertically stacked building units, and in particular, a stacked building unit construction consisting of at least two self-contained units, each having areas of both conventional ceiling height and areas having higher cathedral or loft-type ceilings and which is further characterized by a planar parallel horizontal uppermost ceiling and lowermost floor surface arrangement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the development of urban centres over the past century, there has been a corresponding rise in the density and height of not only commercial buildings, but also residential apartment buildings and condominiums as land costs have increased. As a result, in major urban centres it is common to construct multiple dwelling unit condominiums and apartment buildings which consist of a number of vertically stacked units. Such buildings range in height from two or four storeys in the case of low-rise buildings to high-rise towers of thirty storeys or more.
With the progressing densification of cities and increased development, developers are continuously attempting to differentiate each new apartment building or condominium from adjacent properties, in an effort to better attract tenants and prospective buyers. To date, the majority of buildings and condominiums are differentiated from each other by the level of quality of materials which are used to finish not only the individual building or living units themselves, but also common areas such as the building lobbies and hallways. In addition, where space permits, an apartment building or residential condominium building may also house a swimming pool or health club facility to provide an enhanced living space for tenants.
Heretofore, the ceiling heights of individual building units which define the self-contained living spaces for the tenants or condominium owners have remained largely homogeneous, and most typically are selected at between 7.5 and 12 feet. The nature of vertically stacked building unit construction makes it difficult to include within the building customized units which may have individual rooms with higher cathedral or loft ceilings or which otherwise have a differing vertical height from either vertically and/or horizontally adjacent units within the building, or for that matter separate living areas within the unit itself. In particular, to ensure structural stability, it is preferred that the load-bearing walls and/or supports of the building extend vertically from the foundation, and cover vertically the entire height of the building. As a result of concerns of structurally weakening the building, there has been a reluctance to include within buildings, units having differing ceiling height configurations, for fear that this would necessitate additional structural reinforcement and architectural input.
Although some developers may include as top floor or penthouse suites customized units which have increased ceiling height, such units are typically restricted solely to the uppermost floor of a building. The inventor will further explain how two types of vertically stacked condominium units can easily overcome any difficulties and also how easy it will become to include building units with different height configurations at any level of the vertical structure with no additional structural reinforcement or architectural input.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of existing building constructions by providing a building structure which may be incorporated into any conventional low-rise or high-rise commercial or residential building without significantly altering the load-bearing walls or support configuration for the building. The building structure includes at least one pair of vertically stacked units. Each unit defines a self-contained space and includes a primary area having a cathedral or loft ceiling which is characterized by a ceiling height of 1.5 storeys from the conventional height, and a secondary area which has a conventional one storey ceiling height. The primary and secondary areas of each pair of stacked units are configured so as to provide the building structure with a planar horizontal uppermost ceiling surface and a planar horizontal lowermost floor surface, covering three conventional storeys in height for a first type A module and 2.5 conventional storeys in height for a second alternate type B of module.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved building structure which includes at least one pair of vertically stacked units and which are defined laterally by three parallel opposing common sidewalls which function as load bearing walls.
A further object of the invention is to provide a building construction for a condominium or apartment building which consists of two vertically stacked units, each having a primary living area having a ceiling height of about 1.5 storeys and a secondary living area having a conventional one storey ceiling height, and which may be incorporated into the building during its construction as a module in place of any three vertically stacked conventional single storey units.
Another object of the invention is to provide a building structure which is characterized by at least one pair of vertically stacked units, each having a primary living area with a cathedral ceiling, and which may be incorporated within the load bearing wall configuration of a building design as a building module, without requiring additional structural reinforcement or significant architectural revision to the building.
Another object of the invention is to provide a building or condominium unit construction which includes two building units, each defining a self-contained living space, and which are positioned vertically adjacent to each other, wherein one of the units has a primary living area with a cathedral-type ceiling of approximately and more preferably exactly 1.5 storeys in height, and a secondary living area which comprises a conventional one-storey height floor. The other unit has a primary living area with a cathedral-type ceiling of 1.5 storeys in height and a secondary living area which comprises two one-storey height floors.
A further object of the invention is to provide a building construction for an apartment building or condominium which permits two or more separate prestige level dwelling units to be placed in a vertical arrangement, while using substantially the same vertical superstructure and materials of a conventional low-rise or high-rise building, and which presents parallel and planar upper ceiling and lowermost floor surfaces.
The present invention provides a building structure or construction which is suitable as a two-unit building module which may be incorporated into a variety of multi-storey commercial or residential buildings. The building structure includes two vertically stacked units which each define a respective self-contained space. As a module, the building structure extends vertically downward from a planar ceiling surface which forms the upper extent of the uppermost unit to a planar lower floor surface of the other unit. Together, the pair of stacked units has an overall height equal to three full storeys for a type A module in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention and 2.5 storeys for a type B module in accordance with a second embodiment. Most preferably, the height is selected between twenty-three and thirty-six feet, depending upon the respective building structure (7.5-12 feet).
Laterally, the building module is bordered on each side by load-bearing support pillars or sidewalls (hereinafter collectively referred to as load-bearing walls) which extend the height of the building. An interior dividing load-bearing wall is positioned within each of the units between the load-bearing sidewalls, and which divides each unit into primary and secondary living areas or spaces. Although not essential, most preferably, the interior dividi
Ramirez Ramon O.
Szumny Jon
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