Systems and methods for modular housing and modular housing units

Abstract

Systems and methods for modular housing and modular housing units are provided. A modular housing system for defining a structure having an adjustable living space, includes: a first housing module for human habitation, the first housing module having at least a section of a side absent; a second housing module for human habitation, the second housing module having at least a section of a side absent; an intermodule connector for connecting the first housing module to the second housing module when the first and second housing modules are positioned such that their respective absent sections are adjacent, thereby defining a continuous space; wherein the adjustable living space of the structure can be adjusted in a plurality of stages, the stages comprising: a first stage wherein the first housing module defines the adjustable living space of the structure; a second stage wherein the first housing module and the second housing module define the adjustable living space of the structure, the first and second housing modules connected via the intermodule connector; and a third stage wherein the first housing module defines the adjustable living space of the structure, the second housing module having been disconnected from the first housing module and removed so that the size of the adjustable living space of the structure is decreased relative to the second stage.

1 . A modular housing system for defining a structure having an adjustable living space, comprising:
 a first housing module for human habitation, the first housing module having an intermodule aperture traversing at least a section of a side;   a second housing module for human habitation, the second housing module having an intermodule aperture traversing at least a section of a side;   an intermodule connector for connecting the first housing module to the second housing module when the first and second housing modules are positioned such that their respective intermodule apertures are adjacent, thereby defining a continuous space;   wherein the adjustable living space of the structure can be adjusted in a plurality of stages, the stages comprising:   a first stage wherein the first housing module defines the adjustable living space of the structure;   a second stage wherein the first housing module and the second housing module define the adjustable living space of the structure, the first and second housing modules connected via the intermodule connector; and   a third stage wherein the first housing module defines the adjustable living space of the structure, the second housing module having been disconnected from the first housing module and removed so that the size of the adjustable living space of the structure is decreased relative to the second stage.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the intermodule connector is configured to restrict vertical movement of the first housing module relative to the second housing module. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the intermodule connector is configured to restrict horizontal movement of the first housing module relative to the second housing module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a foundation connector for connecting the first housing module to a foundation. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a roof module connected to a top surface of the structure. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable curtain-ventilated façade applied to an outward-facing surface of the structure. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection mechanism comprising:
 a first connector element attachable to the first housing module;   a second connector element attachable to a first housing module-linkable component;   wherein the first connector element and the second connector element are each adapted to connect to one another in such a way that restricts a movement of the first housing module relative to the first housing module-linkable component.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first housing module-linkable component is a foundation. 
     
     
         9 . The connection mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the first housing module-linkable component is a roof module. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the restricted movement is horizontal movement. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the restricted movement is vertical movement. 
     
     
         12 . A housing module for use in a modular housing system having an adjustable living space, comprising:
 a container for human habitation;   a connection mechanism attachable to the container for connecting the container to a container-linkable component in such a way that restricts a movement of the container relative to the container-linkable component.   
     
     
         13 . The housing module of  claim 12 , wherein the container is an intermodal container. 
     
     
         14 . The housing module of  claim 12 , wherein the restricted movement is horizontal movement. 
     
     
         15 . The housing module of  claim 12 , wherein the restricted movement is vertical movement. 
     
     
         16 . The housing module of  claim 12 , wherein the container-linkable component is another container. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a modular housing structure having an adjustable living space, comprising:
 providing a first housing module for human habitation, the first housing module comprising a first container having at least a section of a side absent;   connecting the first housing module to a second housing module via an intermodule connector, the second housing module comprising a second container having at least a section of a side absent;   wherein the first and second containers are positioned in such a way that their respective absent sections are adjacent, thereby defining a continuous space; and   wherein the first housing module is connected to the second housing module in such a way that the second housing module can be disconnected from the first housing module at a later stage to decrease the adjustable living space.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising connecting the first housing module to a foundation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the intermodule connector is configured to restrict vertical movement of the first housing module relative to the second housing module. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the intermodule connector is configured to restrict horizontal movement of the first housing module relative to the second housing module.