Modular core wall construction system

Abstract

A prefabricated modular building system having a core wall, one or more utility runs that are disposed within the core wall and that have a first connector at one end, one or more panelized partitions attachable to the core wall via a plug-in fastener device, and one or more utility run extensions that are housed within the partition and that have at one end a second connector mateable to the first connector.

1 . A prefabricated modular building system comprising: 
 (a) a core wall housing a central utility distribution system; and    (b) a computer-based control system disposed within said core wall, wherein said control system is capable of integrating and managing said utility distribution system.    
   
   
       2 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein said utility distribution system comprises one or more utility systems selected from potable water, hot water, water deionization, water purification, sewage, ventilation, air purification, heating and air conditioning, electrical power, security cameras, motion detectors, smoke and dangerous gas detectors, telecommunications, electronic data transmission and reception, and audio and video entertainment.  
   
   
       3 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein said control system manages all of the utilities of the building.  
   
   
       4 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein said utility distribution system is encased in a filler.  
   
   
       5 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein said core wall is a load-bearing wall.  
   
   
       6 . The building system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (c) one or more utility runs disposed within said core wall having, at one end, a first connector that is mateable to a second connector;    (d) one or more panelized partitions attachable to said core wall via a plug-in fastener device;    (e) one or more utility run extensions disposed within said partition having, at one end, said second connector.    
   
   
       7 . The prefabricated modular building system of  claim 6 , wherein said utility run comprises: 
 an entrance point, and    one or more egress points, wherein each egress point comprises a terminal interface or a utility run extension interface.    
   
   
       8 . The prefabricated modular building system of  claim 7 , wherein said entrance and egress points are located above floor-level.  
   
   
       9 . The prefabricated modular building system of  claim 6 , wherein said plug-in fastener device is selected from metal studs, wood studs, metal cabling, prefabricated metal or extruded plastic, nails, screws, bolts and nuts, and prefabricated interlocking connectors.  
   
   
       10 . The prefabricated modular building system of  claim 6 , wherein said partition is one of a wall, ceiling, and floor.  
   
   
       11 . The prefabricated modular building system of  claim 6 , wherein said core wall and said partition are sized to comply with an architectural planning grid.  
   
   
       12 . The prefabricated modular building system of  claim 11 , wherein said core wall and said partition have a width that is approximately a whole multiple of four feet.  
   
   
       13 . The prefabricated modular building system of  claim 12 , wherein said core wall and said partition have, independently of each other, a width of 4 feet, 8 feet, 12 feet, 16 feet, 20 feet, 24 feet, 28 feet, or 32 feet.  
   
   
       14 . The prefabricated modular building system of  claim 6 , comprising one or more panelized partitions attachable to other partitions via said plug-in fastener device.  
   
   
       15 . A method of constructing a building comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a prefabricated core wall in which one or more utility runs are disposed;    (b) providing a computer-based control system disposed within said core wall;    (c) integrating said control system with said utility runs to manage said utilities.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said utility runs comprises one or more utility systems selected from potable water, hot water, water deionization, water purification, sewage, ventilation, air purification, heating and air conditioning, electrical power, security cameras, motion detectors, smoke and dangerous gas detectors, telecommunications, electronic data transmission and reception, and audio and video entertainment.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said control system manages all of the building utilities.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (d) providing one or more panelized partitions in which one or more utility run extensions are disposed;    (e) attaching said partition to said core wall via a plug-in fastener device; and    (f) connecting at least one utility run disposed within said core wall with at least one utility run extension disposed within said partition via mateable connectors.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of: 
 (g) attaching at least one partition to another partition via plug-in fastener device.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said core wall and partitions are interconnected to form one or more rooms.