Building construction for multiple units having common walls

A free-standing masonry wall having radial arms (illustrated and described herein by way of example as four in number) is constructed to a desired height (herein, two stories). The wall may be concrete blocks filled with concrete or poured concrete. A concrete slab may be laid extending perpendicular to each arm of the wall. Interior floors, ceilings and exterior room walls are erected and roof joists are supported by stud extensions of the masonry wall and the exterior and interior walls. The roof preferably slopes outward-downward from an apex directly above the top edge of the masonry wall. Economies in constructions and efficient use of land area are accomplished. Privacy of dwelling units, earthquake protection, fire hazard protection and heat and sound insulation are enhanced.

This invention relates to a new and improved building construction for 
multiple units having common walls. 
In the drawings and description of this application, the building contains 
four units, each unit is two stories, and the interior is divided into 
rooms for dwellings. It will be understood, however, that the drawings and 
description are by way of example, and that more or less stories may be 
used, that the building is adapted for uses other than dwellings and that 
a greater or lesser number of units may be constructed. 
A distinctive feature of the fourplex unit herein illustrated and described 
is the use of a central, masonry, cross-shaped wall having four arms to 
correspond to the four dwelling units. These arms constitute party walls 
between units, and are free-standing. The cross-shaped wall provides 
horizontal bracing for the entire building. It provides the principal 
support for the building. Seismic protection and fire hazard protection 
are enhanced. 
The masonry wall may be formed of concrete blocks and rigidified by 
reinforcing rods and/or poured concrete. Alternatively, a poured concrete 
wall may be used. 
Therefore, a feature of the invention is the fact that four adjacent units 
are constructed, but each unit has privacy so far as sound transmission 
from adjacent units is concerned, and the units are so located that visual 
privacy is also achieved. Heat and sound insulation are improved. 
Individual units extend perpendicularly from each arm of the masonry wall. 
In a preferred construction, a concrete slab, constructed in accordance 
with conventional practice, is a base for interior and exterior walls and 
flooring. This slab provides suitable foundation for the external and 
interior walls of the unit. Although a concrete slab is a preferred 
construction, other flooring may be employed. 
The exterior and interior walls are preferably erected on the slab and 
supported thereby, it being understood that suitable footings are formed 
in the bottom of the slab. The interior walls hereinafter described 
provide dwelling units on the ground level and, in addition, a flooring 
may be erected in the back of the unit to support additional dwelling 
rooms on a second story. 
The roof of each unit slopes downwardly-outwardly from a position 
immediately above and in line with the top edge of each arm of the masonry 
wall. Preferably, stud extensions above the top edge of the wall support 
the inner ends of the roof joists. 
As is apparent from the foregoing and from the drawings and description 
which follow, the present invention provides great economy in the 
construction of the units and also economizes on land use. All of these 
factors make the building of lower cost than buildings of similar capacity 
with comparable features.

A distinct feature of the present invention is the "pinwheel wall" 
construction, wherein a masonry wall 11 has (in the preferred embodiment 
hereof) four arms, 11a, b, c, and d, extending from a common vertical 
axis, 12. The arms 11 are preferably formed of concrete blocks filled with 
concrete and supported by reinforcing rods as is well understood in the 
masonry art. Alternatively, poured concrete may be used for the walls. 
Thus, the arms are fireproof, relatively soundproof, and provide a strong 
support for seismic and other stresses for the roof, interior flooring and 
the like without horizontal bracing. Extending perpendicularly outwardly 
from each arm 11a-d are the four units, each preferably located on 
concrete slabs 13a-d. The shape of slabs 13 is best shown in FIG. 1. Where 
desired, a fireplace may be incorporated in the design and the fireplace 
foundations 14a-d are shown in the corners of the slabs opposite axis 12. 
Directing attention to FIG. 6, a typical foundation for wall 11 is 
illustrated. A foundation 16 is laid parallel to each arm 11 and is tied 
into the arm by reinforcing rods 17 which also tie into the adjacent 
concrete slabs here shown as 13b and 13c. Slabs 13 are of conventional 
construction. As shown, under each slab 13 is an aggregate base 21, and at 
suitable intervals (referring to FIGS. 2 and 3) are footings 22 which 
support interior and exterior walls as hereinafter described. 
Directing attention now to FIG. 2, a plurality of studs 26 extend 
vertically above the top edge of each masonry wall arm to reduce the 
height, and thus the cost of the masonry wall. For each unit, the roof 
slopes outwardly-downwardly from an apex above the top edge of wall 11a. 
As shown in FIG. 2, roof joists 27 slope from the upper edge of studs 26 
outwardly, forming the support for the roof 28 and are supported at their 
outer ends by exterior front wall 29 which extends up from slab 13. 
An L-shaped extension 24 extends outwardly from the outer end of arm 11c, 
as illustrated in FIG. 4, coinciding with the edge of the slab 13c, shown 
in FIG. 1. An exterior wall 30 in line with arm 11c comprises one of the 
exterior side walls of each unit. The opposite exterior side wall 31 
extends from the outer edge of arm 11d to the front edge of the slab 13c. 
Thus, the arms 11c and 11d, the front wall 29, and the side walls 30 and 
31 define the rectangular shape of the unit. Exterior as well as interior 
walls may be of conventional wood framing or other construction. A covered 
passageway between a portion of the outer end of the extension 24 and the 
wall 30 may be provided for access to the unit, opening onto the 
entry-foyer 42 with the front door 43 located as indicated in FIG. 4. 
In the preferred embodiment shown, there are two stories to each unit. A 
stairway 32 provides access to the upper rear floor 33 at the rear (see 
FIG. 3). As illustrated, there is a forward floor 34, at slightly lower 
elevation than floor 33, extending forwardly partway to the front wall 29. 
A few steps 36 permit travel between the floor 33 and the floor 34. The 
second story may be closed off by a ceiling 37 with an attic or storage 
space 38 above. 
Directing attention now to the first floor plan shown in FIG. 4, the front 
room or living, dining room 44 is substantially two stories high, giving a 
spacious area. Interior walls provide a kitchen area 46, a lower story 
bedroom 47 and a bath 48. As heretofore mentioned, a fireplace 49 may be 
located in one corner of the living room 44. 
In the second story is a rear bedroom 51 and an upstairs bath 53 supported 
by floor 33 and a front bedroom 52 supported by floor 34. A storage area, 
study or other room 54 may be located immediately above the entry foyer 42 
at the level of floor 34. A hallway or passageway 55 interconnects the 
room 54 with the bedroom 52 and the stairs 36. 
Instead of having a wall in the forward end of the upstairs bedroom 52 as 
an optional feature, a screen 56 may be provided which may be partially 
opened to increase the feeling of spaciousness of the quarters. Similarly, 
the forward edge of the hallway 55 may be provided with a railing 57 for 
similar function. 
Leading off the bedrooms 51, 52 there may be a deck 59 preferably 
cantilevered from the wall 31. 
It will be understood that the shape and number of the rooms and even the 
provision of the second story is optional depending upon the desired use 
of the facilities afforded. 
Directing attention again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that each unit has 
privacy of access, a substantially soundproof and fireproof relationship 
with adjacent units, and yet great economy in construction and land use is 
achieved.