Abstract:
A system of integrated residential dwelling units includes a pair of dwelling units with forward sides facing in generally opposite directions and rearward sides adjacent one another. An enclosed passageway connects the rearward sides of the dwelling units and includes at least one entryway from the exterior of the passageway externally of the dwelling units. Each dwelling unit includes a rearward entry into the passageway and a separate forward entry accessing the street in front of the dwelling units.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to housing structures, and more particularly to a structure which includes a plurality of individual living units connected by an enclosed spine to a central commons structure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It has long been said that one of the goals of the &#34;American dream&#34; is to purchase a home. However, individual residential units are not always the preferable residential living style for many people, especially the elderly and the handicapped. In an attempt to combine the desirable features of an individual residential home with the convenience and economic feasibility of multiple residential unit dwellings, a number of different residential structures have been developed. 
     The most common multiple dwelling unit structure currently available is the apartment building, wherein a plurality of individual residential living units are combined in a single enclosed structure. However, conventional apartment buildings do not provide both an exterior entrance to the apartment and a separate apartment entrance connected through an enclosed spine to an enclosed common area, nor maintain the individual visible identity of each residential unit. 
     Another type of multiple dwelling unit currently available includes town home structures, wherein a plurality of individual residential units are connected side by side with common demising walls (some times with attached garages) to form a single integrated structure. While town homes accomplish several goals over apartment structures-such as individual exterior entrances, grade level access, and some attached garages-they do not provide enclosed common access to an enclosed commons area, or enclosed common access to other residential units, separate from the exterior entrance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide integrated residential dwelling units with individual residential identity from the street similar to currect single family residential or duplexes, having an exterior entrance together with a separate enclosed passageway, common too all residential units and to an enclosed common area. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide integrated residential dwelling units with separate exterior entrances, individual green space areas, and an attached garage. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide integrated residential dwelling units with enclosed passageways linking the units, and separate external entrances to the individual dwelling units. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     The system of integrated residential dwelling units of the present invention includes a pair of dwelling units with forward sides facing in generally opposite directions and rearward sides adjacent one another. An enclosed passageway connects the rearward sides of the dwelling units and includes at least one entryway from the exterior of the passageway externally of the dwelling units. Each dwelling unit includes a rearward entry into the passageway and a separate forward entry accessing the street in front of the dwelling units. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which similar or corresponding parts are identified with the same reference numeral, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the integrated residential dwelling units of the present invention are designated generally at 10 in the site plan of FIG. 1, and include individual residential units 12-54, an enclosed spine structure designated generally at 56 and an enclosed commons building 58 connected to spine 56. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a pair of individual residential units 20 and 22 are shown in greater detail. Residential unit 20 includes an external entrance 60 to the unit 20, with an entry porch 62. A sidewalk 64 extends to a driveway 66, which in turn accesses a street 68. A garage 70 is attached to unit 20 and is shown with dimensions to hold two cars. 
    
    
     For the purposes of the description, the site of each residential unit facing the street 68 will be described as the &#34;front&#34;. A rear entrance 72 opens onto an enclosed passageway forming spine 56 which extends along the rearward side of unit 20, as described in more detail hereinbelow. 
     The forward portion of unit 20 includes a kitchen area 74 and a living area 76, with at least one sleeping area 78 and a bathroom area 80 located in the rearward portion of the house. Unit 20 has a side wall 82 common with unit 22, and extending forwardly from the rearward wall of the unit. Forward of common wall 82 is a common green space 84 separating the forward portions of units 20 and 22. Green space 84 is an area including grass, trees, bushes, and/or other landscaping. The forward portion of unit 20 has a short side wall 86 extending forwardly from the rearward portion of the unit 20 which overlooks common green space 84. A long side wall 88, opposed to common wall 82 and side wall 86 extends from spine 56 forwardly to garage 70 and overlooks a large green space 90. Thus, residential unit 20 overlooks green spaces 84 and 90 on opposing sides and extends from spine 56 forwardly to garage 70. 
     Residential unit 22 includes all of the same elements as residential unit 20, although each element may take on a different configuration and size. Thus, unit 22 includes a front entrance 60&#39;, front porch 62&#39;, sidewalk 64&#39;, driveway 66&#39;, garage 70&#39;, rearward entrance 72&#39;, kitchen 74&#39;, living area 76&#39;, sleeping area 78&#39;, bathroom area 80&#39;, short side wall 86&#39; and a long side wall 88&#39;. Common wall 82 separates the sleeping and bathroom areas of units 20 and 22, while green space 84 separates side walls 86 and 86&#39;. Similar to unit 20, residential unit 22 overlooks a common green space 84 and a larger green space 90 extending from spine 56 to street 68. 
     Spine 56 is an enclosed passageway which extends between residential units 20 and 22, and projects through large green spaces 90, as shown in FIG. 2. A pair of additional residential units 44 and 46, have rearward entrances 72&#34; and 72&#39;&#34;, respectively, which open onto spine 56. Thus, residents of residential units 20, 22, 44 and 46 may contact one another via spine 56 without having to go outdoors. On the other hand, guests visiting any individual units can access the individual unit through an exterior entrance 60. 
     Referring once again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that spine 56 interconnects all residential units 12-54, to permit access to any individual unit without having to venture outside. In addition, access to spine 56 may be achieved through end entrances 56aand 56b, separate from and externally of the dwelling units,0 or through an entrance 56c from commons building 58. Commons building 58 is preferably a closed area which can support a variety of activities, such as food service, recreational activities, or other community congregational gatherings. Preferably, additional parking 92 is provided adjacent to commons building 58, with an exterior entrance 94 provided to commons building 58. 
     In the preferred form of the integrated residential dwelling units 10, a pair of dwelling units 20 and 22 have a partial common wall and are opposed through spine 56 to a second pair of dwelling units 44 and 46. In this way, a set of four living units 20, 22, 44 and 46 may be considered as an independent building 100 interconnected to a plurality of similar buildings 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 by enclosed spine 56. Each building 100-110, and commons building 58, are separated by a large green space 90, thereby maintaining the aesthetic appeal of an individual residential unit separated from other residential units, yet maintaining an enclosed passageway interconnecting the units for protection from the weather. 
     Whereas the invention has been shown and described in connection with the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that many modifications, substitutions and additions may be made which are within the intended broad scope of the appended claims.