Hybrid Modular Dwelling and Construction Thereof

This invention relates in general, to planning and building modular dwellings, and in particular, to a system and method for construction of hybrid modular dwellings.

Modular homes are dwellings that are built in units, known as modules, in a factory and transported to a site where the units are connected to form the dwelling. The popularity of modular homes has been steadily increasing due to efficiencies in labor, budget and waste management. Specifically, building modular homes require less time and labor at the site of construction and create less waste.

However, along with the many benefits of modular housing, some restricting factors also exist. For example, current modular housing solutions are built to lower Federal and HUD standards, including lower levels of insulation and framing, and are not fixed to a foundation. For such reasons, modular dwellings do not appraise as real property, but are instead, a depreciating asset. Further, due to the required transport of the modular units, modular dwellings are generally smaller in square footage than traditional homes, which are fully built at the site, since transport and shipping of larger modules is restricted. Accordingly, there are limits to modular homes, which make such options available for families with fewer members or those that are comfortable with less space.

Therefore, a need remains for building modular homes that can offer more space than current modular homes, but still allow transport to retain the benefits of traditional modular homes. Preferably, such improved modular homes will also be fixed to qualify as real property.

An embodiment provides a system for construction of a hybrid modular dwelling. A shell includes one or more walls connected to a base, and at least one mount placed adjacent to one side of the base. At least one modular unit is placed in or above the mount. When two or more modular units are used, the modular units can be placed apart from each other or adjacent to one another. Additional living space is generated in between the two or more modular units, or between one or more of the modular units and at least a portion of the shell. The additional living space receives utilities from at least one of the modular units. A roof covers the modular units and the additional living space created between the modular units and the walls, and between the modular units.

Still other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein are described embodiments by way of illustrating the best mode contemplated. As will be realized, other and different embodiments are possible and the embodiments' several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from their spirit and the scope. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Modular homes are increasing in popularity due to ease of construction at a site, timing, and cost. However, modular homes have limitations, such as size. Since modular units of the home must be transported, size restrictions exist. Thus, modular homes are not an option for consumers that desire larger homes or dwelling spaces. The ability to construct larger homes, while maintaining the benefits of modular homes, such as ease and efficiency of construction, would allow modular homes to be an option for such consumers. The size of modular homes can be increased using traditional or existing modules by combining the modules using a shell, rather than merely connecting the modules together.

Hybrid modular dwellings can utilize at least one module and a shell that is not limited to a size restricted by shipping sizes, which allows for additional square footage than standard modular homes.is a block diagram showing, by way of example, a sitefor construction of a hybrid modular dwelling. The site is excavated to create a space for building a shell for the hybrid modular dwelling.

is a block diagram showing, by way of example, the site ofwith a modular shell. The shellcan be made of concrete, wood, drywall, or other material commonly used for housing. The shape and size of the shell can be dependent on the owner or builder of the hybrid modular dwelling. For example, a larger shell corresponds with larger hybrid modular dwelling, while a smaller shell corresponds with a smaller hybrid modular dwelling.

The shellcan include one or more of a base, at least one support side, and at least one wallaffixed to the support side. The shell can also include a mount located adjacent to at least one side of the base and is positioned lower than the base. The mountcan include one or more support wallsthat are positioned perpendicular to the ground or mount base, and multiple stem walls, that extend from the support walls, for supporting the modular units of the dwelling. Specifically, the stem walls are placed at predetermined distances along the support walls and extend over the ground to support the modular units, which sit above the stem walls.

The support walls can be erected on the ground or land on which the dwelling is built, or on a mount base, and can create an enclosure that acts as a foundation for the modular units with a crawl space designated between the support walls, underneath the modular units. In one embodiment, the crawl space can be 18″ or greater from the ground to a bottom surface of each modular unit placed over the stem walls. The support walls and stem walls of the mount can be made of the same material as the shell or a different material. Alternatively, the ground can be leveled to provide a surface for placing the modular units, instead of using the mount.

is a block diagram showing, by way of example, modular units-of a dwelling. The modular units-can be mass produced and prefabricated in a facility for transportation to the dwelling site, for installation. Each modular section can include one or more rooms, such as a bedroom, kitchen, living room or bathroom. However, since living rooms are typically larger in size than bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms, any modular section for a living room would be limited in size. If larger space is desired for a room that cannot be accommodated by a modular section, the room could be generated in the space between two or more modular units or between one or more of the modular units and a portion of the shell, such as a side or wall. In one embodiment, home owners can select and combine different modular segments to build the dwelling. For example, one segment can include a kitchen, master bathroom and master bedroom, while another segment can include two bedrooms.

Although restricted by size, the modules are beneficial because they bring the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades into a factory where the modules are made, rather than at the construction site of the dwelling. In hybrid modular dwellings that utilize modules, some mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing may be required at the construction site, but less than would be required if the dwelling was to be fully constructed at the site. Accordingly, time spent on constructing a hybrid modular dwelling is less than a traditional new construction.

In one example regarding modular mechanical, electrical or plumbing, at least one of the modular units includes an HVAC system that connects to a pump outside the dwelling and to which other modular units can connect to run the HVAC in the respective spaces of the other modular units. For example, HVAC is installed in a kitchen module, which can be oriented to facing and pump heat into open spaces off the module, such as the living room. The HVAC system is connected between the modular units at the site of the dwelling to allow air flow in all the sections. Further, modular units equipped with appliances, such as sinks in a kitchen, can face an open space outside the modular section to create an open space, such as between the kitchen and living room, which makes the sink easily accessible. Further, a modular section, such as the kitchen, can have less than four sides to create an open space between the modular section and space outside the modular section.

is a block diagram showing, by way of example, a combination of the modular shell ofwith the modular units of. The selected and delivered modular units are placed in the enclosure in the base of the shell. Specifically, each modular section is backed on a truck towards the shell and lowered into the enclosure, on the stem walls, of the base of the shell.

One or more of the modular units can be connected; however, to create additional space in the hybrid modular dwelling, the modular units can be placed apart from one another to create additional living space between the modular units or placed adjacent to one another to create additional space between one or more of the modular units and at least a portion of the shell. The additional living space between the modular units can include one or more walls to create multiple rooms in the additional living space.

is a block diagram showing, by way of example, a roof over the hybrid modular dwellingwith the combined modular shelland modular units-of, and a roof. Once the modular units-are placed in the base of the shell, remaining walls are built and a roofis built over the modular units and the additional living space created between the modular units and the shell. Each of the rooms, including in the additional living space and the modular units, is able to access utilities, which originate and already exist in the modular units. The roof can have different shapes and sizes depending on the shell and modules. For example, the roof can be flat, gable, hip, shed, dutch, butterfly, or any other shape.

is a block diagram showing, by way of example, the modular dwellingwith windowsenclosing space between the modular units-of. Any room with an open side, such as the additional living space between the modular units, can be enclosed with a windowor windows to protect the interior of the room from outside elements.

is a block diagram showing, by way of example, a layout of the hybrid modular dwellingof. The layout includes a master patioand outdoor kitchen patio, which are outlined by the shell and covered by the roof. The master bedroom, master bathroom, and kitchen are part of one of the modular units, while bedroomand bedroomare part of another modular section. The dining roomand living roomare created by the additional living space between the two modular units-and rely on the shell, walls, walls of the modular units, and roof for enclosure. One or more walls can separate living and dining area or the dining and living space can be open.

is a block diagram showing, by way of example, a layout of the interior living space of the hybrid modular dwelling. The living roomand dining room, which are located between the modular units-, receive HVAC from the modular units, as well as other utilities, such as mechanical and plumbing, if needed. Since there is a size limit to the modular units, the living space created between the modular units allows for a larger dining room and living room. The entry way is created using walls of the bedroom modular unitand the living room. The entry way is covered by the roof and can receive HVAC from at least one of the modular units-

While the invention has been particularly shown and described as referenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.