Interactive building module

Abstract

A modular building structure which can be converted between a variety of usage modes, such as an office, hotel or residential purposes. Each module includes fittings that allow for attachment and detachment of internal components to enable conversion between the usage modes. The modules may be joined in different ways, such as in a checkerboard configuration. Also disclosed are an exchange module to permit the secure exchange of items to or from the building structure to which access is permitted if authorisation information matches an access instruction, and a resource management system to control the use of resources such as electricity and water in which a resource source is chosen that meets rather than exceeds the requirements of the resource demand.

1 . A transportable and stackable modular building unit including a floor panel, side wall panels and a ceiling or roof panel, said panels being arranged and dimensioned to form a shipping container in which the ceiling or roof panel is supported above the floor panel by the side wall panels for transportation by a containerised shipping network, and wherein at least one of the side wall panels of the modular building unit is a movable panel removably or hingedly connected to the floor panel or to the ceiling or roof panel and movable to create additional building space adjacent the space formed by the other panels of said modular building unit.  
   
   
       2 . A modular building unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one movable panel is removable and utilizable as a structural end wall, a verandah section, a roof section or a floor section to at least partly enclose said additional building space.  
   
   
       3 . A modular building unit according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one movable panel is a side wall panel hingedly connected to the base and/or the top of the unit.  
   
   
       4 . A modular building unit as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one movable panel is a side wall panel hingedly connected to the floor panel of the unit so that it can swing downwardly to form an external floor of said additional building space.  
   
   
       5 . A modular building unit as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one movable panel is a side wall panel hingedly connected to the ceiling or roof panel of the unit so that it can swing upwardly to form an external roof of said additional building space.  
   
   
       6 . A modular building unit as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one movable panel is a side wall panel having a first hinged section which swings downwardly to form an external floor, and a second hinged section which swings upwardly to form an external roof of said additional building space.  
   
   
       7 . A modular building unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more additional wall panels and glass facades are provided to at least partially enclose said additional building space.  
   
   
       8 . A multi-storied building including a plurality of transportable and stackable modular building units, each building unit including a floor panel, side wall panels and a ceiling or roof panel, the panels being arranged and dimensioned to form a shipping container in which the ceiling or roof panel is supported above the floor panel by the side wall panels for transportation by a containerised shipping network, at least one of the side wall panels being a movable panel removably or hingedly connected to at least the floor panel or the ceiling or roof panel and movable to a position in which an additional building space is created adjacent the building unit, and wherein at least one building unit in an upper storey of the building is stacked on at least one of the building units in the storey below.  
   
   
       9 . A building according to  claim 8  wherein additional wall panels and glass facades are provided for said additional building space.  
   
   
       10 . A building according to  claim 8  wherein the at least one movable panel is a side wall panel hingedly connected to the base and/or the top of the unit.  
   
   
       11 . A multi-storied building according to  claim 8  wherein the movable panel is removable and is utilised as an end wall, roof or floor section of said additional building space.  
   
   
       12 . A building according to  claim 11  wherein the movable panel of at least one of the building units is hinged to the floor panel of the unit and movable to a position in which it forms a floor of said additional building space.  
   
   
       13 . A building according to  claim 11  wherein the movable panel of at least one of the building units is hinged to the roof panel of the unit and movable to a position in which it forms a ceiling or roof of said additional building space.  
   
   
       14 . A building according to any one of  claims 7  to  11  wherein first and second modular building units on at least one storey of the building are arranged with a free space between said building units and a further building unit is stacked on said first and second building units above said free space so that the floor panel of said further building unit forms a ceiling of the free space between said first and second building units.  
   
   
       15 . A multi-storied building according to  claim 14  wherein a plurality of the modular units on a plurality of levels are stacked in a checkerboard configuration with free spaces between adjacent units on each level.