Patent ID: 8621818

Claim:
A method for providing standardized modular elements usable to construct a dwelling, comprising: defining a set of allowable functional building block configurations, wherein the set of allowable functional building block configurations is divided into assembly levels including a low number of parts level and a high number of parts level; defining allowable configurations and allowable interactions for each allowable functional building block configuration usable in constructing the dwelling; selecting a plurality of standardized modular elements usable in constructing the dwelling, wherein the standardized modular elements comprise: prefabricated modules comprising individual dwelling rooms; and a plurality of panels configured to be positioned between, fit with, and interconnect prefabricated modules and fit with the components, wherein the plurality of panels are each generally rectangular in shape and are configured to fit together and include necessary infrastructure therein, the necessary infrastructure comprising plumbing hardware, electrical hardware, HVAC ducting hardware, insulation materials, structural framing hardware, interior finish materials, and exterior cladding materials, and at least one panel comprises a floor panel configured to fit together with at least one other floor panel, said floor panel comprising a cement board and having a top plywood sheathing layer, a radiant heat tubing member, a micro air-duct supply member, a framing member, and a bottom plywood sheathing layer configured to attach to said framing member and enclose the bottom floor panel; wherein selecting the plurality of modular elements usable in constructing the dwelling comprises: determining distances between standardized modular elements and selecting standardized modular elements that fit together based on desired distances between standardized modular elements; and ensuring the standardized modular elements when assembled together will satisfy dwelling structural requirements; producing produced standardized modular elements including produced panels comprising produced necessary infrastructure therein, the produced standardized modular elements corresponding to the plurality of standardized modular elements usable in constructing the dwelling; delivering the produced standardized modular elements including the produced panels comprising the produced necessary infrastructure therein to a building site; and constructing the dwelling at the building site using the produced standardized modular elements including the produced panels comprising the produced necessary infrastructure according to one allowable functional building block configuration.