Prefabricated integrated utilities building core system

Abstract

A prefabricated integrated utilities building core including a floor diaphragm, four walls connected to the floor diaphragm, and a utilities access corridor, and a method of constructing a building using the same are disclosed herein. The floor diaphragm and the four walls form an interior of the prefabricated integrated utilities building core. The utilities access corridor has at least one access wall with a passage configured to provide access to and from the utilities access corridor from the interior of the prefabricated integrated utilities building core. There are a plurality of integrated utilities arranged within the prefabricated integrated utilities building core so as to be fully accessible from within the utilities access corridor. The utilities access corridor also includes an in-floor access hatch arranged to provide access to an in-floor portion of at least the plumbing of the plurality of integrated utilities.

1 . A prefabricated integrated utilities building core comprising:
 a floor diaphragm;   four walls connected to the floor diaphragm, forming an interior of the prefabricated integrated utilities building core;   a utilities access corridor situated within the floor diaphragm and the four walls, and comprising at least one access wall comprising a passage configured to provide access to and from the utilities access corridor from the interior of the prefabricated integrated utilities building core;   a plurality of integrated utilities arranged within the prefabricated integrated utilities building core to be fully accessible from the utilities access corridor, and wherein the plurality of integrated utilities comprises (a) plumbing, (b) electrical, and (c) HVAC; and   an in-floor access hatch arranged within the utilities access corridor and configured to provide access to an in-floor portion of at least the plumbing of the plurality of integrated utilities.   
     
     
         2 . The prefabricated integrated utilities building core of  claim 1  further comprising grey waste plumbing. 
     
     
         3 . The prefabricated integrated utilities building core of  claim 1  wherein at least the plumbing of the plurality of integrated utilities runs within the floor diaphragm. 
     
     
         4 . The prefabricated integrated utilities building core of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of fixtures attached in a finished state. 
     
     
         5 . The prefabricated integrated utilities building core of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of fixtures comprises at least two of (1) a toilet, (2) a sink, (3) a bathtub, and (4) a shower. 
     
     
         6 . The prefabricated integrated utilities building core of  claim 1  further comprising at least one appliance attached in finished state. 
     
     
         7 . The prefabricated integrated utilities building core of  claim 1  wherein the HVAC of the plurality of integrated utilities further comprises a hydronic system. 
     
     
         8 . A method of constructing a building comprising a prefabricated integrated utilities building core, wherein the method comprises:
 placing a prefabricated integrated utilities building core at a predetermined position on a site, wherein the prefabricated integrated utilities building core comprises a floor diaphragm connected to four walls, a utilities access corridor comprising an interior passage, and a plurality of integrated utilities comprising plumbing, electrical, and HVAC;   attaching the plumbing of the plurality of integrated utilities to preexisting infrastructure at the site through an in-floor access hatch in the floor diaphragm of the utilities access corridor; and   erecting an exterior envelope around the predetermined site position of the prefabricated integrated utilities building core.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the method step of attaching the plumbing to the preexisting infrastructure comprises accessing plumbing contained within the floor diaphragm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein when placing the prefabricated integrated utilities building core at the predetermined position on a site, all fixtures and appliances of the prefabricated integrated utilities building core are already installed in a finished state. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the method step of erecting an exterior envelope further comprises omitting an area of flooring to receive the prefabricated integrated utilities building core. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising forming a dig-out at the area created in the flooring to receive the prefabricated integrated utilities building core. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising placing a second prefabricated integrated utilities building core so as to form a stack of prefabricated integrated utilities building cores. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the second prefabricated integrated utilities building core is jacked above wall level. 
     
     
         15 . A re-purposable building structure comprising:
 a prefabricated integrated utilities building core comprising:   a floor diaphragm;   four walls connected to the floor diaphragm, forming an interior of the prefabricated integrated utilities building core;   a utilities access corridor situated within the floor diaphragm and the four walls, and comprising at least one access wall comprising a passage configured to provide access to and from the utilities access corridor from the interior of the prefabricated integrated utilities building core;   a plurality of integrated utilities arranged within the prefabricated integrated utilities building core to be fully accessible from the utilities access corridor, and wherein the plurality of integrated utilities comprises (a) plumbing, (b) electrical, and (c) HVAC; and   an in-floor access hatch arranged within the utilities access corridor and configured to provide access to an in-floor portion of at least the plumbing of the plurality of integrated utilities; and   an exterior envelope enclosing the prefabricated integrated utilities building core.   
     
     
         16 . The re-purposable building structure of  claim 15  wherein the exterior envelope comprises a temporary material. 
     
     
         17 . The re-purposable building structure of  claim 16  wherein the temporary material comprises fabric. 
     
     
         18 . The re-purposable building structure of  claim 16  wherein the temporary material is supported by an outrigger frame. 
     
     
         19 . The re-purposable building structure of  claim 15  further comprising a rain pan connected to the prefabricated integrated utilities building core. 
     
     
         20 . The re-purposable building structure of  claim 19  wherein the rain pan comprises at least one of (1) a water filtration system, and (2) ballast.