Modular dynamic building structure and method for configuring the same

A modular dynamic building system includes a superstructure and a container. The superstructure includes: a plurality of columns; a plurality of beams connected to the columns to form an opening into the superstructure; and a plurality of tracks connected to the superstructure and in the opening. The container includes an opening in one side thereof and a plurality of wheels connected to a bottom surface of the container. The wheels of the container are on the tracks of the superstructure, and the opening in the container faces into the superstructure.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a modular dynamic building system and a method for configuring the same.

2. Related Art

Recently, a trend of people moving from rural locations into cities has increased. It is believed that over 50% of people in the world live in cities. This trend, coupled with an ever increasing population, has drastically increased the need for residential real estate in cities, especially the more space-efficient multi-family buildings and so-called mixed-use properties, which include both commercial and residential spaces. But given the usually strict building codes in cities, tight confines, little available and unused land, etc., it can take many years to build a new large building. In addition, once the building is complete, it cannot easy be re-modeled or reconfigured.

Further, there is another trend of people seeking to recreate the urban feel but without the traffic, congestion, pollution, and other negative attributes of urban living. Thus, there is a desire to create urban-like (or urban-feel) communities outside large cities that provide the convenience of urban living, such as easy walkability, access to various stores, a sense of community, etc. but without (or while minimizing) the negative attributes of urban living.

In addition, the world has recently seen the need to be able to rapidly build safe but temporary buildings, such as hospitals and the like. Typically, temporary structures that are built rapidly suffer from building (or contractor) defects due to errors, oversights, and corner-cutting, or have a short building lifespan due to their inflexibility to be reconfigured for changing needs.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a modular dynamic building system is provided that allows for easy configuration and reconfiguration of units (e.g., living spaces, working spaces, hospital rooms, etc.) in a semi-permanent or permanent superstructure. The units include one or more containers that are configured to be wheeled into and out of the superstructure horizontally and are configured to be easily connected to common utilities once installed in the superstructure. As such, a cheap, rapidly constructed building that can be largely constructed in units off-site and which may be adapted quickly for changing needs is provided.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a modular dynamic building system includes a superstructure and a container. The superstructure includes: a plurality of columns; a plurality of beams connected to the columns to form an opening into the superstructure; and a plurality of tracks connected to the superstructure and in the opening. The container includes an opening in one side thereof and a plurality of wheels connected to a bottom surface of the container. The wheels of the container are on the tracks of the superstructure, and the opening in the container faces into the superstructure.

The modular dynamic building system may further include a crane on a roof of the superstructure; and a carriage suspended by the crane. The carriage may be removably connectable to the superstructure.

The carriage may include a plurality of tracks, and the tracks on the carriage correspond to the tracks in the opening of the superstructure.

The modular dynamic building system may further include a plurality of track extensions. The track extensions may be configured to extend the tracks on the carriage to the tracks in the opening of the superstructure.

The container may include: a plurality of columns; a plurality of beams; an outer skin covering the columns and beams of the container; and an inner skin on an inner surface of the columns and beams of the container.

The container may be 24 feet long and 9 feet high.

The modular dynamic building system may further include a second container. The container is a first container, and each of the first container and the second container may have an open side. The open sides may face each other in an installed configuration in the superstructure.

The modular dynamic building system may further include a connected space between the open side of the first container and the open side of the second container.

The connected space may have a floor, wall panels, and a ceiling.

The first container, the second container, and the connected space may together form a single, continuous space.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for configuring a modular dynamic building system is provided. The method includes: moving a container onto a carriage; lifting the container with the container thereon via a crane to be adjacent an opening in a superstructure; moving the container from the carriage into the superstructure; and locking the container to the superstructure.

The crane may be on a roof of the superstructure.

The method may further include attaching a plurality of insulating panels around exterior edges of the container in the superstructure.

The container may include a plurality of wheels, and the carriage may include a plurality of corresponding tracks into which the wheels of the container fit.

The method may further include installing a second container into the superstructure at a second opening in the superstructure adjacent to the opening.

The method may further include installing a floor, walls, and a ceiling into a space between the container and the second container.

The container may have an opening into the superstructure.

Both the container and the second container may include utilities under an inner skin of the container and of the second container.

The method may further include connecting the utilities of the container to building-wide utilities in the superstructure.

The method may further include removing the container from the superstructure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, and/or layers, these elements, components, and/or layers should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, or layer from another element, component, or layer. Thus, a first element, component, or layer described below could be termed a second element, component, or layer without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element or component is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or component, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or component or one or more intervening elements or components may also be present. When an element or component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or component, there are no intervening element or component present. For example, when a first element is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or connected to the second element or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. That is, the processes, methods, and algorithms described herein are not limited to the operations indicated and may include additional operations or may omit some operations, and the order of the operations may vary according to some embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

FIGS.1A-1C,6, and7show a modular dynamic building structure1000(later referred to herein as the “building1000”) with a crane10on a roof thereof according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIGS.2A-2Dshow one continuous space (e.g., one living unit) of the modular dynamic building structure1000shown inFIGS.1A-1C,6, and7.

Referring toFIGS.1A and1B, the modular dynamic building structure1000has a subterranean level (e.g., a subterranean service level)20, a retail level30, and a plurality of modular residential levels40on the retail level30. The terms used to identify the various levels20,30, and40are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to these configurations. For example, some embodiments of the present disclosure may omit the subterranean level20. Further, the subterranean level20may be used for various purposes, such as for deliveries, utilities, waste collection, etc., or may be used as a parking structure, for tenant storage, etc. Similarly, the retail level30may be omitted in some embodiments or may be a lobby level when the modular dynamic building structure1000is an office building or a hospital, etc. In some embodiments, the modular residential levels40may be modular office levels of an office building, modular patient levels in a hospital, etc.

Referring toFIGS.1A-1C, the modular dynamic building structure1000includes a permeant or semi-permanent superstructure100. The superstructure100includes columns101and beams102perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the columns101. The columns101and beams102are connected to each other using any suitable connection method, such as nut and bolt, welding, etc. The columns101and beams102may be steel, wood, or any other suitable building material in consideration of the overall height of the building and the intended use of the building. Although the columns101and beams102are shown as having square or rectangular cross-sectional shapes, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the columns101and beams102may be I-beams, H-beams, etc. The columns101and beams102of the superstructure100are primarily assembled on site, although in some embodiments, parts of the superstructure100are assembled off-site and transported to the building location.

In some embodiments, the retail level30may be built out as a conventional space (e.g., with insulation, drywall, etc.) to provide one or more large open spaces, such as a building lobby, public sitting areas, cafeteria, etc. The residential levels40, however, may include both common space areas100.1and a plurality of containers200,300(e.g., a first container200and a second container300). The common space areas100.1are more permanent structures and may configured as trash rooms, utility rooms, stairs, elevators, and common area rooms, such as game rooms, laundry room, gardens, study areas, etc. The common spaces areas100.1may be fabricated offsite and installed into the superstructure100on-site, or may be built using conventional building processes as described above.

The containers200,300are removably mounted to (or mounted in) the superstructure100. As described in more detail below, two (or more) of the containers200,300may be connected to each other and open to each other to define a single, continuous space (e.g., a living space, hospital room, office, etc.). However, the continuous space including (or formed by) two containers200,300is merely an example. As described below, a single, continuous space may include (or may be formed by) only a single container (e.g., in a hospital configuration) or three or more containers (e.g., to provide larger continuous spaces, such as a penthouse-style living space).

The crane10on the superstructure100may be utilized to install and remove the containers200,300from the residential levels40of superstructure100via a carriage400(described below in more detail). The crane10may be counterbalanced by the superstructure100. For example, one or more of the columns101may extend through the roof and may act as an attachment point for the crane10to counterbalance the weight of the carriage400with weight of the container200,300.

The crane10may be on a track, allowing it to move back-and-forth along the superstructure100, and the track may be circular or semi-circular to allow the crane10to access both sides of the superstructure100to install and remove two or more columns of containers200,300in the superstructure100. In other embodiments, the crane10may be rotatable to access both sides of the superstructure100. In some embodiments, the crane10may be a conventional crane that moves independently on the superstructure100.

Referring toFIGS.2A-2D, a portion of the modular dynamic building structure1000including one continuous space including (or formed by) two containers200,300is illustrated. As described in more detail below, the containers200,300shown inFIGS.2A-2Dmay be connected to each other and open to each other to define a single, continuous space. Further, the building1000includes a plurality of connected containers, and the two containers200,300are merely described as an example. For example, the building1000may include tens or hundreds of containers connected to each other in various arrangements.

Due to the modular nature of the modular dynamic building structure1000, connection points between the columns101and beams102may be pre-formed or pre-indicated to speed on-site construction. For example, referring toFIG.2C, adjacent ones of the columns101may be spaced apart from each other by a distance Di of about 14 feet, 6 inches, but this is merely an example. Thus, since the spacing between columns101is known and common or substantially common, openings (or holes) may be formed or drilled into the columns101and beams102at where they are to be connected to each other. This can allow a construction crew to reduce time spent measuring, cutting, drilling, etc. the columns101and beams102on site, further speeding construction of the superstructure100.

The superstructure100may include removable flooring103spanning a space between two or more adjacent beams102to form a hallway. Under the flooring103, common utilities, such as electrical, water, sewer, internet, etc. may be run from an outside connection to each continuous space (e.g., to one of the containers200,300, which then shares the connections with the other one of the container200,300) or separately to both containers200,300.

Similar to the connection between the columns101and beams102, the flooring103and beams102may be preconfigured with openings (or holes) to allow for quick and accurate connection between the flooring103and the beams102. Further, the commonality between components (e.g., between sizing, spacing, etc.) allows for the off-site manufacture of common components, reducing cost and increasing speed.

The superstructure100may further include a fascia that is exposed to the outside of the modular dynamic building structure1000. The fascia may include both permanent or semi-permanent panels111, removeable panels112,113, and track covers112.1. The panels111,112,112.1,113may together provide weathertightness, insulation, and decoration. As described below in more detail, the containers200,300do not have substantial insulation to reduce cost and weight, and instead, the containers200,300rely on the insulating features of the panels111,112,112.1,113to regulate temperature, prevent water intrusion, etc.

The panels111may be installed on the superstructure100, for example, on the exterior columns101and/or beams102of the superstructure100before the containers200,300are installed. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the panels111may be installed onto the superstructure100after the containers200,300are installed.

After the containers200,300are installed, the panels112,112.1,113are installed onto the columns101and/or beams102and cover gaps between the superstructure100and the containers200,300. The panels112,112.1,113also cover the installation mechanisms (e.g., tracks) and/or utility equipment under the containers200,300. For weathertightness, the panels112,112.1,113may be installed behind (e.g., partially behind) the panels111.

Each of the panels111,112,112.1,113may have an R value of about 19 to about 30. For example, the panels111,112,112.1,113may include foam or fiberglass cores surrounded by a metal or plastic body. Further, the panels111,112,112.1,113may have a design (or a part of larger design) painted, printed, or wrapped (e.g., vinyl wrapped) thereon so that the final modular dynamic building structure1000has a pleasing aesthetic appearance without needing to be painted or wrapped (e.g., vinyl wrapped) after all of the containers are installed, thereby removing another time consuming and expensive aspect of conventional construction and allowing for easy changing of the exterior design.

InFIG.2A, separation panels104are shown while they are omitted inFIG.2Bto show underlying components. The separation panels104are fire rated panels that fill the space between the columns101and beams102to separate different connected containers200,300from each other. For example, each connected set of containers200,300may be surrounded on top, bottom, and lateral sides by the separation panels104. In some embodiments, the separation panels104may also be included at longitudinal sides of the connected containers200,300with corresponding cutouts for windows, doors, etc.

The separation panels104may be prefabricated (e.g. may be manufactured offsite to common dimension) and may provide sound isolation and fire rating between floors and between connected containers200,300. Also, in some embodiments, the separation panels104may have permanent utilities, such as fire suppression, fire alarms, and smoke detection built therein. For example, the separation panels104may be structural insulated panels.

In some embodiments, the containers200,300may have an opening in an upper surface thereof such that the upper separation panel104acts as the ceiling of the below containers200,300. In such an embodiment, continuous space in the containers200,300is increased by providing additional height.

FIGS.2C and2Dare schematic views showing inside the containers200,300from different perspectives, andFIG.3shows a bottom perspective view of the container200. The containers200,300may have external dimensions of a typical shipping container, such as about 24 feet long (L inFIG.2C), about 8 feet, 6 inches wide (W1inFIG.2C), and about 9 feet high (H inFIG.2D), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The overall dimensions of the containers200,300are not particularly limited; however, the containers200,300should be sized to be easily transported via ship, train, tractor-trailer, airplane, etc. for ease of transport. For these reasons, using standard shipping container dimensions for the containers200,300may provide for ease of transportation by utilizing an existing transportation infrastructure.

Because the containers200,300do not include substantial (or any) insulation themselves, instead relying on other panels for insulation, the interior dimensions of the containers200,300may only be slightly smaller than their outer dimensions, thereby maximizing usable space. For example, the interior dimensions of the containers200,300may be about 8 feet wide, 23 feet, 6 inches long, and 8 feet, 6 inches high. For example, each wall may be about 3 inches thick, which accounts for structural material (e.g., steel, aluminum, or another suitable material) and interior-facing panels (e.g., melamine panels, etc.).

Each of the containers200,300may have an opening210,310in at least one of the sides thereof. The openings210,310may be in sides (e.g., long sides) of the respective containers200,300that face each other in an installed configuration. In this way, the total usable space is increased by connecting (e.g., internally connecting) the containers200,300inside the superstructure100. For example, a connected space250between the two containers200,300may be finished by installing flooring, wall panels, and a ceiling after the containers200,300are installed in the superstructure100. The connected space250may have a width W2of about 6 feet.

The flooring, wall panels, and ceiling in the connected space250is installed after the containers200,300are mounted to the superstructure100.

While a continuous space including only two containers200,300is shown in theFIGS.2A-2D, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, three or more containers may be connected and open to each other to provide an even larger continuous space. In such an embodiment, the outer containers would have an opening in one long side thereof while the interior container or containers would have openings in two opposite long sides thereof to provide two or more connected spaces.

Hereinafter, the containers200,300will be described in more detail with respect toFIGS.2A-3.

Each of the containers200,300has at least six sides—a top, a bottom, two parallel long sides, and two parallel short sides. The top, bottom, and long sides may primarily extend (e.g., have a longest or largest dimension in) a length direction of the respective container200,300. The short sides may primarily extend in a width direction of the respective container200,300. An opening (e.g., an open or substantially open side)210,310may be formed in at least one of the long sides of the containers200,300. When a continuous space includes two containers200,300, the openings210,310face each other in an installed configuration (e.g., when the containers200,300are installed in the superstructure100). When the continuous space includes three or more containers, the outermost containers will have one open side facing the other containers of the continuous space while the interior (or inner) containers will have two open sides in the long sides to be open to adjacent containers in both directions.

For convenience, features common to the containers200,300will be described below with reference to only the container200, but these features should be understood as being applicable to all of the containers, and repeated description of features will be omitted.

The container200may have an aluminum (or other metal) frame with interior and/or exterior fascia panels covering the frame. For example, unlike conventional shipping containers, which are generally solid steel (or metal) boxes, the container200has a column and beam (e.g., stud-type) construction, similar to how buildings are typically built. In this way, the amount of material required for the container200is reduced and, importantly, the weight of the container200is also reduced. An outer skin266may be an aluminum panel to cover the exposed frame, while an inner skin268(e.g., walls and ceiling) may be, for example, melamine as that is what occupants would be accustomed to. Similarly, a floor of the container200may be hardwood, laminate, tile, etc. as occupants would be accustomed to. A plurality of wheels215may be arranged under the container200for installation into and removal from the superstructure100(described below in more detail).

The container200may not include any substantial insulation. For example, the space between the inner and outer skin of the container200may be empty (e.g., filled with air) rather than filled with an insulating material (e.g., fiberglass insulation) as in traditional building construction. In this way, the cost of the container200can be reduced, while the panels111,112,112.1,113on the outer side of the superstructure100provide thermal insulation and weathertightness.

Various electrical, plumping, Internet, and other utilities connections may be arranged between the outer skin and the inner skin (e.g., the floor, walls, and ceiling) of the container200. For example, the container200may be plumbed and wired (for electrical, lighting, ethernet, etc.) before the outer skin and floor, walls, and ceiling are installed. Further, external utilities connection may all be provided under the floor at the short side220of the container200facing into the superstructure100. For example, quick connect plumbing, electrical, internet, etc. connections may all be provided at the same side of the container200for quick and relatively easy connection with building-wide systems. For example, the building1000may provide the container200(e.g., each of the containers200,300) with fresh water, mains electrical service (e.g., 100 amp or 200 amp service into a distribution panel), Internet in the form of a gigabit ethernet (or other similar interfaces), cable TV via coaxial cable, waste water outlet, fire protection systems (e.g., connection to a building-wide fire protection system), one or more fire alarms, etc. In building the superstructure100, the corresponding utilities may be installed under the removable flooring103.

Further, the short side220of the container200facing into the superstructure100may include an opening (e.g., a doorway, entryway, or door)221. In some embodiments, the container300, which is internally connected to the container200via the connected space250, may not have a door at the short side320thereof facing into the superstructure100to increase usable (or livable) space. However, when the continuous space includes of three or more containers, one or more of the containers may include a door at the short side facing into the superstructure100to provide additional ingress/egress points for improved convenience and safety.

For example, the container200that includes the door221into the superstructure100(e.g., into a hallway within the superstructure100) may be configured as a living room and/or kitchen, and the container300that is internally connected to the container200but does not have a door open into the superstructure100may be configured as a bedroom. In such a configuration, an additional door may be installed between the containers200,300(e.g., in or adjacent to the connected space250) to provide additional privacy to an occupant in the container300configured as a bedroom.

The short side230of the container200facing away from the superstructure100may be configured as a wall with a window (see, e.g., window311in the container300as shown inFIG.2A) or, when the container200additionally has a balcony240, a sliding glass door211or the like to provide access to the balcony240. In some embodiments, the short side230of the container200may be a large glass (or plastic, etc.) window that spans the entire short side230to provide a “panoramic” window and compensates for the lack of other windows in the container200.

The interiors of the containers200,300may be variously configured in function, style, organization, level of completeness, etc. For example, some occupants may choose to purchase a relatively sparse container and purchase and install appliances, furniture, etc. of their choosing. In other cases, occupants may choose to purchase complete containers with appliances pre-installed. Similarly, the containers200,300may be sold pre-designed with paint, wallpaper, furniture, flooring (e.g., carpet, etc.) or may be sold without these elements so that the occupant can design the container as they see fit.

Hereinafter, steps of a method for configuring the modular dynamic building structure1000will be described with reference toFIGS.4A-4GandFIG.5. For example,FIGS.4A-4Gshow steps of installing the container300into the superstructure100. A similar or the same method may be used to install the container200into the superstructure100.

Referring first toFIG.4A, the container300is provided on a carriage400, and the carriage400is suspended from above via the crane10. For example, the carriage400may be used multiple times for various containers200,300in a single building1000due to the commonality between the containers200,300. The container300may be loaded onto the carriage400on the ground. For example, the crane10may set the carriage400on the ground, and the container300may be pulled onto the carriage400via a winch or the like or pushed thereon by workers, a vehicle, etc.

The container300(and the container200) includes a plurality of wheels (see, e.g., wheels215inFIG.3) arranged in a plurality of rows so that it can be easily moved during construction, installation, and removal. For example, in the figures, a two-track movement system is shown which includes two tracks on which the container300moves, and the container300includes wheels arranged in two corresponding rows to ride on the tracks. However, the movement system is not limited to two tracks and two rows of wheels, and in other embodiments, the movement system may include three or more tracks and a corresponding three or more rows of wheels on the container300.

The wheels on the container300may be cylindrical wheels that do not pivot, such cylindrical roller bearings or the like. Cylindrical roller bearings have good weight bearing properties and help resist unwanted side-to-side movement of the container300along the tracks, but such wheels would make the container300difficult to rotate on the ground. However, in other embodiments, the container300may include caster wheels that allow for easier rotation of the container300on the ground. In either embodiment, the carriage400and the superstructure100may have tracks411,121with a recessed channel into which the wheels fit. For example, the tracks411may be connected to the carriage400, and the tracks121may be connected to the superstructure100(e.g., may be connected to one or more beams102in the superstructure100). In this way, when the container300is on the tracks411,121, its lateral movement is restricted by the recessed channels.

In yet other embodiments, the container300may have both roller bearings for movement along tracks and retractable caster wheels for movement on the ground. For example, when the container300is to be moved along the ground, the caster wheels may be extended to contact the ground and ensure the roller bearings do not contact the ground. Then, once the container300has been moved over the tracks411on the carriage400, the caster wheels may be retracted so that the container300is supported by the roller bearings on the tracks411.

Once the container300is on the tracks411of the carriage400, the container300may be locked in place on the carriage400by chocks or other suitable locking mechanisms (e.g., locking pins, etc.). Then, the carriage400with the container300thereon is lifted by the crane10to be aligned with an opening140in the superstructure100where the container300is to be installed. The crane10may not only lift the carriage400vertically but it may also move laterally along the superstructure100, such that the container300can be loaded onto the carriage400at a common location (e.g., a shipping/receiving dock) and then moved to the appropriate location on the building1000for installation into the superstructure100.

Referring toFIG.4B, once the carriage400with the container300thereon is aligned with the opening140in the superstructure100, the carriage400is moved by the crane10toward the superstructure100. Once the carriage400is close to the superstructure100, the carriage400is connected to superstructure100via mounting brackets414on the carriage400being connected (e.g., by a worker) to corresponding mounting brackets415on the superstructure100(see, e.g.,FIG.4E). Thus, the carriage400is secured to the superstructure100and aligns the track411on the carriage400is aligned with the track121in the superstructure100. At this time, the panels112,112.1,113are removed if they have not been previously removed. Then, a worker may install track extensions412(see, e.g.,FIGS.4A,4E,4F, and5). The track extensions412may respectively connect to the tracks411on the carriage400via track connectors411.1and may extend the tracks411on the carriage400onto the corresponding tracks121in the superstructure100. By using the track extensions412, the carriage400does not have to contact the outer surface of the superstructure100(e.g., the panels111) other than via the mounting brackets414,415to prevent or substantially prevent damage to the building. Further, a worker may connect a winch between the superstructure100and the container300to pull the container300off the carriage400and into the superstructure100along the tracks411,412, and121.

Referring toFIG.4C, the container300is shown in a partially-installed state. For example, after the winch is connected between the container300and the superstructure100, a worker may operate the winch (e.g., manually or electrically operate the winch) to pull the container300off the tracks411on the carriage400, over the track extensions412, and onto the tracks121in the superstructure100.

Referring toFIGS.4D and4E, the container300is shown fully in the superstructure100and off the carriage400. At this time, the track extensions412may be removed to disconnect the carriage400from the superstructure100. However, when a balcony (see, e.g.,240inFIG.2A) is to installed, the track extensions412may be left connected to the tracks121onto which the balcony may be installed. In other embodiments, separate deck supports412.1may be connected to the superstructure100(e.g., connected to the tracks121) to support the balcony240. Further, the container300may be fixed to the superstructure100by any suitable locking mechanism (e.g., locking pins, fixed cable, etc.) to prevent movement of the container300relative to the superstructure100. The utilities connections may also be made between the building1000and the container300at this time under the removable floor103. And once the container300is locked into the superstructure100, the containers200,300may be internally connected to each other to form the connected space250.

Referring toFIGS.4F and4G, after the container300is fixed to the superstructure100and the track extensions412are removed, the track cover112.1is installed to cover the tracks121, and the panels112,113are installed around the opening140to insulate and weather-seal the container300in the building1000. For example, the panels112,113may be slotted in behind the panels111and may be locked into place by any suitable connecting mechanism, for example, snap-fittings, screws, etc. In some embodiments, a worker may install the track cover112.1and the panels112,113while standing on the carriage400.

After the panels112,112.1,113are installed, the carriage400is moved away from the superstructure100via the crane10.

The process of removing the containers200,300from the superstructure100may be substantially the opposite as the above-described installation process. For example, first, the panels112,113may be removed and then the track cover112.1may be removed from the outside of the building1000and the utilities may be disconnected from the container200,300. Then, the carriage400may be located outside of the superstructure100aligned with the container200,300, and the track extensions412may be installed between the tracks121in the superstructure100and the tracks411on the carriage400.

Then, the container200,300may be unlocked from the superstructure100and either pushed onto the carriage400or pulled onto the carriage400by, for example, a cable and winch. Once the container200,300is clear of the superstructure100and fixed to the carriage400, the track extensions412may be removed. Then, the carriage400with the container200,300thereon may be lowered to the ground (e.g., to a shipping/receiving dock) for transport to another building or may be raised to the roof and placed on tracks on the roof so that the container200,300may be easily repositioned on the roof. Alternatively, the container200,300may be moved to another opening in the superstructure100and re-installed.

In this way, the building1000can not only be quickly assembled, but different continuous spaces therein may be configurable and reconfigurable based on the occupants' desires, needs of the building1000, etc. For example, if the building1000is a residential structure, a new occupant could select a desired combination of containers200,300that has a particular layout, design aesthetic, etc. Then, just prior to the occupant moving in, the selected containers200,300could be installed into the building1000as described above. Then, after that occupant moves out, a new occupant could select (e.g., purchase) a new combination of containers that would replace the now-unoccupied containers200,300(e.g., the now-unoccupied containers200,300would be removed and replaced by the new occupant's selected containers), thus providing custom living arrangements in view of each occupant's desires.

In other examples, the building1000could be either designed as, for example, a hospital or the building1000could be entirely or partially reconfigured from a residential complex to, for example, a hospital when a need for additional hospital beds arose. In such a case, the installed residential-configured containers could be quickly replaced with hospital-configured containers. Different from the residential-configured containers that are configured to be internally connected to each other, each hospital-configured container may be a stand-alone container with a door open to the superstructure100. In this way, each hospital-configured container could accommodate one or two patients (depending on a level of need) separated from other patients in different containers. Further, because the containers can be built out on the ground and stored in advance, temporary or even permanent hospitals could be built quickly from the ground up or by commandeering residential building using the modular dynamic building system according to the present disclosure.

FIG.8shows a top-down schematic view of a community2000including a plurality of modular dynamic building structure1000. Each of the buildings1000may have a hexagonal shape which can provide greater sunlight on the North side of the buildings, eliminating ice build-up. Further, buildings1000near the center of the community2000may be configured as professional buildings (e.g., hospitals, office buildings, schools, places of worship, etc.) while buildings1000along the perimeter of the community2000may be residential buildings (e.g., mixed residential-light commercial buildings).

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the example embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications to the described embodiments may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the various arts will recognize that the present disclosure described herein will suggest solutions to other tasks and adaptations for other applications. It is the applicant's intention to cover, by the claims herein, all such uses of the present disclosure, and those changes and modifications which could be made to the example embodiments of the present disclosure herein chosen for the purpose of disclosure, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.