Core for building

Abstract

A core for a building is adapted for use with a centralized, modular functional performance infrastructure system affording highly efficient use of floorplan. The core includes a structural frame forming a plurality of compartments containing the functional performance infrastructure system components that may be accessed readily for servicing, maintenance, and replacement. An integrated network interconnecting the compartments affords flexibility in the functional performance infrastructure system component locations in the core, while providing common locations for interfacing the components with distribution and collection systems servicing the building.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A core adapted for use in a building, the core comprising:
 a structural frame forming a plurality of compartments, each compartment adapted to contain at least a portion of a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) system;   an integrated network interconnecting the compartments; and   structural connectors for coupling the core to distribution and collection systems servicing the building.   
     
     
         2 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein the structural frame is configured to support internally disposed MEP system components. 
     
     
         3 . The core of  claim 2 , wherein the structural frame is further configured to support at least a portion of the distribution and collection systems servicing the building. 
     
     
         4 . The core of  claim 2 , wherein the structural frame is further configured to support at least a portion of the building. 
     
     
         5 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein the structural frame comprises reinforced portions for supporting the structural connectors. 
     
     
         6 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein the structural frame comprises a substantially rectilinear external shape. 
     
     
         7 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein the structural frame comprises modular construction adapted to be modified to at least one of: add, remove, resize, or reconfigure one or more compartments. 
     
     
         8 . The core of  claim 1 , further comprising external cladding coupled to at least a portion of the structural frame adapted to enclose and provide access to the compartments, wherein the external cladding comprises at least one removable panel. 
     
     
         9 . The core of  claim 8 , wherein the external cladding comprises at least one openable panel. 
     
     
         10 . The core of  claim 8 , wherein the external cladding comprises at least one of a finished surface suitable for exposure to an interior living space of the building or a weather-resistant surface suitable for exposure to ambient environment external to the building. 
     
     
         11 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein components of the integrated network are selected from the group consisting of electrical power cabling, data/communications cabling, temperature and ventilation control ducting, fluid supply piping, fluid return piping, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein the structural connectors are disposed at at least one of a lower portion of the core, a midspan portion of the core, or an upper portion of the core. 
     
     
         13 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein the structural connectors are selected from the group consisting of electrical power cabling connectors, data/communications cabling connectors, temperature and ventilation control ducting connectors, fluid supply piping connectors, and fluid return piping connectors. 
     
     
         14 . The core of  claim 1  further comprising a controller connected to the integrated network for monitoring a status of the core. 
     
     
         15 . The core of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further adapted to monitor a status of each compartment. 
     
     
         16 . The core of  claim 14 , further comprising a user interface providing user access to the controller. 
     
     
         17 . The core of  claim 14 , further comprising a temperature and ventilation control system to control an internal temperature and ventilation within the core. 
     
     
         18 . The core of  claim 17 , wherein the temperature and ventilation control system controls an internal temperature and ventilation within each compartment within the core. 
     
     
         19 . The core of  claim 1 , further comprising lifting points to facilitate at least one of installation or removal of the core with a crane. 
     
     
         20 . The core of  claim 1 , wherein the core is adapted to be installed in both a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. 
     
     
         21 . The core of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a portion of an MEP system selected from the group consisting of an electrical energy distribution system, an electrical energy storage system, a potable water system, a grey water system, a black water system, an HVAC system, and a data/communications system disposed in at least one compartment. 
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing a core adapted for use in a building, the method comprising the steps of:
 manufacturing a structural frame forming a plurality of compartments, each compartment adapted to contain at least a portion of a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) system;   interconnecting the compartments with an integrated network; and   providing structural connectors for coupling the core to distribution and collection systems servicing the building.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of configuring the structural frame to support internally disposed MEP system components. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of configuring the structural frame to support at least a portion of the distribution and collection systems servicing the building. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of configuring the structural frame to support at least a portion of the building. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of reinforcing portions of the structural frame to support the structural connectors. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the structural frame comprises a substantially rectilinear external shape. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the structural frame comprises modular construction, the method further comprising the step of modifying the structural frame to at least one of add, remove, resize, or reconfigure one or more compartments. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein components of the integrated network are selected from the group consisting of electrical power cabling, data/communications cabling, temperature and ventilation control ducting, fluid supply piping, fluid return piping, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of disposing the structural connectors at at least one of a lower portion of the core, a midspan portion of the core, and an upper portion of the core. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the structural connectors are selected from the group consisting of electrical power cabling connectors, data/communications cabling connectors, temperature and ventilation control ducting connectors, fluid supply piping connectors, and fluid return piping connectors. 
     
     
         32 . A method of using a core in a building, the core comprising a structural frame forming a plurality of compartments with each compartment adapted to contain at least a portion of a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) system, an integrated network interconnecting the compartments, and structural connectors for coupling the core to distribution and collection systems servicing the building, the method comprising the steps of:
 installing the core on a support of the building;   coupling the core to distribution and collection systems servicing the building using the structural connectors; and   operating the core to service the building.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the installation step comprises placing the core on the support with a crane. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of supporting at least a portion of the distribution and collection systems servicing the building with the core. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of supporting at least a portion of the building with the core. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the core comprises a substantially rectilinear external shape. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising external cladding coupled to the structural frame adapted to enclose and provide access to the compartments. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the external cladding forms at least one removable panel, the method further comprising the step of at least one of removing or replacing the panel. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the external cladding forms at least one openable panel, the method further comprising the step of at least one of opening or closing the panel. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the installation step further comprises the step of at least one of exposing at least a portion of a finished surface of the optional external cladding to an interior living space of the building or exposing at least a portion of a weather-resistant surface of the external cladding to ambient environment external to the building. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the portion of the finished surface forms at least a portion of a wall, a ceiling, a floor of the building, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the portion of the weather-resistant surface forms at least one of at least a portion of an exterior wall or a roof of the building. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein components of the integrated network are selected from the group consisting of electrical power cabling, data/communications cabling, temperature and ventilation control ducting, fluid supply piping, fluid return piping, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the coupling step further comprises the step of coupling the structural connectors disposed at at least one of a lower portion of the core, a midspan portion of the core, or an upper portion of the core. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the structural connectors are selected from the group consisting of electrical power cabling connectors, data/communications cabling connectors, temperature and ventilation control ducting connectors, fluid supply piping connectors, and fluid return piping connectors. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the operating step further comprises the step of monitoring a status of the core with a controller connected to the integrated network. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising the step of monitoring a status of each compartment with the controller. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising the step of providing user access to the controller with a user interface. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising the step of controlling an internal temperature and ventilation within the core with a temperature and ventilation control system. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising the step of controlling an internal temperature and ventilation within each compartment within the core with the temperature and ventilation control system. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the installation step comprises installing the core in at least one of a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of installing at least a portion of the MEP system selected from the group consisting of an electrical energy distribution system, an electrical energy storage system, a potable water system, a grey water system, a black water system, an HVAC system, and a data/communications system in at least one compartment. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of removing the core from the support of the building to at least one of refurbish or replace the core.