Convertible Building

Abstract

A building comprising (a) a rectangular central structure having a horizontal roof section, a floor section and at least one support for the roof section, (b) two roof extensions each pivotally attached on either side of the roof section with an offset hinge such that each can pivot from a first, horizontal position to a second, vertical position, wherein in the first position the two roof extensions are offset vertically relative to the roof section, and (c) two floor extensions each pivotally attached on either side of the floor section such that each can pivot from a first, horizontal position to a second, vertical position, wherein during transport or storage of the building, the two roof extensions and two floor extensions are each located in the second, vertical position, the floor extensions being located interior to the roof extensions.

1 . A building comprising:
 (a) a rectangular central structure having a horizontal roof section, a floor section and at least one support for the roof section,   (b) two roof extensions each pivotally attached on either side of the roof section with an offset hinge such that each can pivot from a first, horizontal position to a second, vertical position, wherein in the first position the two roof extensions are offset vertically relative to the roof section, and   (c) two floor extensions each pivotally attached on either side of the floor section such that each can pivot from a first, horizontal position to a second, vertical position,   wherein during transport or storage of the building, the two roof extensions and two floor extensions are each located in the second, vertical position, the floor extensions being located interior to the roof extensions.   
   
   
       2 . A building according to  claim 1 , which during transport or storage has an external height of 2.5 to 3.5 m, an external width of 2.0 to 3.0 m and an internal width of 1.5 to 2.0 m. 
   
   
       3 . A building according to  claim 1  which is suitable for ISO certification for transport as a freight container. 
   
   
       4 . A building according to  claim 1  wherein in the first position the two roof extensions are co-planar, and this plane is offset vertically to the plane of the roof section. 
   
   
       5 . A building according to  claim 1  wherein when the roof extensions and floor extensions are located in the second, vertical position, a recess is formed between adjacent roof and floor extensions. 
   
   
       6 . A building according to  claim 1  wherein the roof extensions extend beyond the ends of the rectangular central structure. 
   
   
       7 . A building according to  claim 1  wherein one or more items chosen from the group comprising structural members, fixtures and fittings are contained within the building during transport. 
   
   
       8 . A building according to  claim 7  wherein the one or more items contained within the building during transport are incorporated into the assembled building. 
   
   
       9 . A building according to  claim 1  when used as part of a larger structure. 
   
   
       10 . A structure comprising one or more modules, each module consisting of a building according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       11 . A structure according to  claim 10  comprising at least two or more adjacently located modules. 
   
   
       12 . A structure according to  claim 10  or  claim 11  comprising two or more modules stacked vertically. 
   
   
       13 . A method of providing habitation comprising the steps of transporting one or more buildings according to  claim 1 , and locating said one or more buildings at a site.