NO20210407A1 - Modular cottage - Google Patents

Description

A modular cottage and a method of constructing a modular cottage

The present invention is directed to a modular cottage comprising a first and second structure, a floor and a roof, wherein the first and second structures are placed at a distance between each other to provide an open space. The modular cottage further comprises an outer structure defining the outer walls is arranged at a perimeter of the floor, such that an air gap is provided between the inner structures and the outer structures.

Background

A cottage is a small house and also used as a holiday home or secondary homes. Cottages are usually found in the mountains, villages or in the countryside, rather than in the town.

Traditionally, they are built from materials that can be found nearby. A cottage may be built of stone, or brick or of timber. It may have a roof of wood, tiles, slates, shingles, shakes or thatch. The cottages have traditionally been of fairly simple standard often without running electricity and water. For many people, the cottages have been a place to escape to for relaxing, from the hectic everyday life, even for a short day, a weekend or for holiday.

Together with increased standard of living, the cottages have recently undergone a much higher standard than before. Not least, more and more people have been able to afford to buy their own cottage, which has led to major encroachments on nature. Some areas have been developed so much that it has caused permanent damage to nature.

Together with increased demand, manufactures of cottages have switched to new and faster construction methods. The modular cottages today are set up in a few weeks by making use of prefabricated modules which are coupled together at site. Often, the modules are prefabricated with linings and insulation so that less work has to be done at site, thereby reducing the construction time and reducing cost.

However, increased focus has been on the environmental aspects for the many cottages that are built. The large numbers have in some areas caused permanent damage to nature.

In this aspect, more people are interested to build cottages that have minimal impact on nature, this is both with regards to the materials used and the cottage size. An additional important factor is the cost.

Thus, there will be a demand for smaller cottages (since most areas are heavily populated and there just aren't enough space), using environmentally friendly materials and having low cost. There will therefore be a larger demand for smaller cottages that are easy to construct, making use of environmentally friendly materials, and having minimal impact on nature when they are built and when they are removed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cottage that has minimal impact on nature.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a cottage that is easy to construct and uses less material, thereby also reducing the cost.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is directed to a modular cottage comprising a first inner structure (A) comprising first structure walls, a second inner structure (B) comprising second structure walls, wherein the first and second inner structure (A,B) are arranged with a first distance (30) between each other.

The modular cottage further comprises a floor supporting the first inner structure (A) and the second inner structure (B), a roof covering the first inner structure (A) and the second inner structure (B), and wherein the floor and the roof extends from beyond and including the first inner structure (A) to and beyond and including the second inner structure (B).

The modular cottage further comprises an outer structure comprising walls connected to the floor and the roof, and enclosing the first and second inner structure (A,B) such that the first distance between the first and second inner structure (A,B) provides an open space of the modular cottage.

Thus, the first distance between the first and second inner structure determines the size of the open space. The open space may be a living room and/or the kitchen room of the modular cottage and may be located in the centre of the modular cottage.

The roof is an external covering at the top of the modular cottage being the uppermost part of the cottage. It is the roof that provides protection to the inside of the building from the weather and the elements. The roof can be designed to insulate the inside of the building to provide protection from all weather conditions. There are various types of roofs that can be used depending upon the requirements or the purpose of the structure. Then there are rules and regulations to make roofing safe that need to be adhered to while making a roof.

The roof may be a straight roof, slanting roof, a gable roof, or any combination thereof.

A gable roof is the classic, most commonly occurring roof shape in those parts of the world with cold or temperate climates. It consists of two roof sections sloping in opposite directions and placed such that the highest, horizontal edges meet to form the roof ridge.

The term “internal roof” is hereby referred to a roof located at the inside of the roof. Thus, the roof is covering the internal roof, and the internal roof may provide a second floor or attic floor of the modular cottage arranged at a level above the main floor of the cottage.

The roof may be arranged directly onto the first and/or second inner structure, or the roof may be arranged above the internal roof covering the first and/or second structure. Thus, the ceiling of the first and/or second structure (A,B) may be the inside surface of the roof or it may be the inside surface of the internal roof. The ceiling is defined as the uppermost part of the surface of the rooms inside the modular cottage. The ceiling is not a part of the roofing but an artificial structure or surface at the inside of the room that is made to look pleasing as well as one that is also durable.

The internal roof may also provide an attic floor above the first and second inner structures. A first attic floor may thus be provided above the first inner structure and/or a second attic floor may thus be provided above the second inner structure. The entrance to the first and second attic floors may be via the open space. The attic floor may also extend from the first inner structure, over the open space and including the second inner structure. For all these embodiments, the roof may preferably be a gable roof arranged above the attic floors and covering the first inner structure, second inner structure and the open space.

According to the present invention, the ceiling of the first inner structure, the second inner structure and/or the open space may be situated at the inside of the cottage, against the roof. In this case, there will be no internal roof and the ceiling height will be increased and may also follow the outer shape of the gable roof with a pitched ceiling.

The first and second inner structure (A,B) may square shaped structures comprising side walls and an opening facing each other. The opening may be closeable by a door.

The first and/or the second inner structures may be a log structure. A log structure is a structure built with horizontal logs interlocked at the corners by notching. Logs may be round, squared or hewn to other shapes, either handcrafted or milled. The logs structure may comprise openings for mounting glass windows or glass wall sections to provide daylight into the first and second inner structures.

The side walls may comprise timber elements laid horizontal or vertical to form the first and second inner structures (A,B). The timber elements may comprise one or more openings for mounting glass windows or glass wall sections. The glass sections may extend from the floor to the ceiling or it may be divided in any desired manner.

The first and/or the second inner structures may comprise timer walls, glass walls, stone walls, plastic walls or any combination thereof.

Each of the first and second inner structures may be fabricated in ready modules, such that they can be lifted and placed into position onto the floor.

The floor may extend a second distance beyond the first and second structure side walls. This provides a gap between the side walls and the outer structure walls. Thus, the outer structure walls may be located at a perimeter of the floor such that an air gap is provided in the second distance between the first and second structure walls and the outer walls.

The air gap provides an area where heat can be trapped such that it provides an insulation wall, similar to the glass pane principle.

It is known that a single pane of glass transfers heat very easily by various processes such as convection and conduction. These two processes are the main reasons standard windows contribute to loss of heat when trying to stay warm inside during winter. The wider the spaces between the panes of glass, the more effective the insulation is. Thus, adding additional panes of glass also makes the insulation more effective, but in most houses or cottages it is not practical to install windows with more than two panes of glass. According to the present invention, the air gap between the first and second inner structures and the outer structures provides an insulation wall such that reduces the process of convection and conduction through the outer structure.

In other words, the gap between the side walls and the outer outer structure walls provides a wider space acting as one thick wall, such that the insulation is more effective. A two pane glass of the outer structure may in combination with the air gap create adequate insulation to the cottage.

The trapped heat can be released into the open space by a ventilation system for regulating the temperature inside the modular cottage. To minimize the need for heating, the modular cottage is divided into zones and combines the principles of natural ventilation in combination with mechanical heat recovery. For example, the heat and bad air in the open space will rise towards the ceiling and ventilated out from the cottage, and wherein new and fresh air, heated in the air gap may be circulated into the open space.

The second distance (air gap) may comprise one or more fixed and/or closeable walls for dividing the air gap into sections and/or for separating the second distance from the first distance. Thus, dividing the cottage into climatized zones. The one or more fixed and/or closeable walls may comprise an opening or hatch for controlling and circulating the air inside the air gap. The air may be circulated manually, or the air may be circulated automatically by a ventilation system controller.

The second distance or the air gap creates a plurality of semi-air-conditioned zones in the cottage that evens out and controls the indoor temperature in zones, and that will be able to reduce energy consumption while having maximum flexibility in relation to insight into the cottage and transparency in the facade and comfort in the different rooms.

Thus, the entire structure of the modular cottage may be surrounded by an air gap that allows the principle of semi-air-conditioned space between the outer structure walls and walls of the first and second inner structure. The purpose of the air gap is to divide the interior of the cottage into zones, the living room and the other rooms to even out temperatures and indoor climatic conditions, and in the long rond circulate and recover heat during winter, and ventilate excess heat during summer.

The outer walls may comprise at least a section of glass wall or glass windows. Having insulated glass goes a long way toward making the cottage varmer. The combination of insulated glass, the air gap and the inner structure walls provides an even better insulation, making the transfer of air through the walls harder, by keeping the cool air inside and hot air outside, or keeping the heat inside and the cold air outside.

According to the present invention, all kinds of glass can be used, but different glasses have different technical properties. For example, the following glasses may be used:

Low emissivity glass (or low E glass) is effective at keeping heat inside the cottage. This glass may be coated in a special coating that reflects heat. This means that it can let heat and light inside but prevents heat from being lost. And when the weather gets warm, it works in the opposite direction to let heat out, but prevent it entering.

Tinted or reflective glass is resistant to both heat and light. This kind of glass can help reduce indoor glare, as well as keep heat out in the summertime.

Laminated insulated glass can make noise insulation even more effective. Laminated glass is glass bonded to a resin layer. Another advantage of this glass is the resin layer holds the pane together if it breaks.

According to the present invention, the outer walls may comprise at least a section of glass wall. The entire outer walls may comprise all glass walls. The outer walls may comprise log walls, timer walls, glass walls, stone walls, plastic walls or any combination thereof.

The outer walls may be prefabricated in one structure such that it can be lifted onto the floor enclosing the first and second inner structure. The prefabricated outer walls may have the same or similar footprint as the floor such that it can be connected to the perimeter of the floor.

In one embodiment, the glass wall section of the outer walls is located at the open space at opposite long sides of the cottage, to create a through looking sight straight through the open space of the modular cottage. The open space may be located at the centre of the modular cottage. This solution provides an esthetic appearance and provides light into the center of the cottage, which may be the living room of the modular cottage.

In embodiments, the first and second structures (A,B) may have different shapes and/or different sizes. The modular cottage may also comprise a third and/or a fourth inner structure placed in a distance from the first and/or second inner structure.

Entrance doors, terrace doors, windows, etc may be placed at any location on the outer structure walls. They may be prefabricated with an opening, or they can be constructed during assembling of the modular cottage.

The invention is also directed to a method of constructing a modular cottage, wherein the modular cottage comprises a first inner structure (A) comprising first structure walls, a second inner structure (B) comprising second structure walls, a floor, a roof, and an outer structure comprising outer structure walls. The method comprises the step of:

- placing out the floor on a ground surface,

- placing the first inner structure (A) onto the floor inside an outer perimeter of the floor, - placing the second inner structure (B) onto the floor inside the outer perimeter of the floor, and with a first distance from the first inner structure (A) providing an open space between the structures,

- placing the outer structure at the perimeter of the floor such that an air gap is provided between the first and second inner structures (A,B) and the outer structure,

- placing the roof on top of the first and second inner structures (A,B) and the outer structure.

The ground surface may be a levelled surface, floor, base construction, or any combination thereof.

Figures

Fig.1 shows a mounted modular cottage from above with a gable roof.

Fig.2 shows an exploded view of the elements of the modular cottage where the first and second inner structure is placed onto the floor.

Fig.3 shows another embodiment of the modular cottage having a planar roof.

Fig.4 shows a side view of the modular cottage with a first inner structure comprising a log structure and the outer structure comprising glass wall sections.

Fig.5 shows a side view of the modular cottage with a second inner structure comprising a log structure with opening at the lower level.

Fig.6 shows a front view of the modular cottage with a first and second inner structure and the open space between the structures located at the centre of the modular cottage.

Fig.7 shows a back view of the modular cottage in figure 6, where the outer structure comprises glass wall structures and the open space at the centre, creates a see through opening through the modular cottage.

Detailed description of the figures

Figure 1 shows the modular cottage 1 of the present invention assembled with all elements in place. The modular cottage 1 comprises a roof 32 arranged on top of outer structure 50 and walls 51. The entire structure is mounted on top and supported by floor 31.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the modular cottage 1 comprising a first inner structure (A) comprising first structure walls 1, a second inner structure (B) comprising second structure walls 21. The Inner structure may be fabricated in one single module, or it may comprise one or more sub-modules to be assembled into one single module. The first inner structure (A), and the second inner structure (B) forms separate rooms that can be made into sleeping rooms, bathroom, kitchen room, storage room, or any combination thereof.

The first and second inner structure (A,B) are arranged on a floor 31 with a first distance 30 between each other. The first distance 30 provides an open space at the centre of the cottage 1, and may thus be a living room and/or kitchen area of the modular cottage 1.

The floor 31 is supporting the first and second inner structures (A,B) and may be arranged on piles (see figs 4-7) or on a cast plate (not shown) or any combination thereof. A roof 32 is provided above and covering the first inner structure (A) and the second inner structure (B), and wherein the floor 31 and the roof 32 extends from beyond and including the first inner structure (A) to and beyond and including the second inner structure (B). This means that the first and second inner structures (A,B) are located inside the perimeter of the floor 31.

The modular cottage 1 further comprises an outer structure 50 comprising walls 51 connected to the floor 31 at the lower end, and to and supporting the roof 32 at the top end. The outer structure 50 may be made as one single prefabricated module or it may be made in prefabricated sections adapted for quick connection. The outer structure 50 encloses the first and second inner structure (A,B) such that the first distance 30 between the first and second inner structure (A,B) provides an open space 35 at the centre of the modular cottage 1. The open space 35 may be made as a living room of the modular cottage 1.

The floor 31 may extend a second distance 34 beyond the first and second structure walls 11,21. The outer walls 51 may be positioned at a perimeter of the floor 31 such that an air gap is provided in the second distance 34 between the first and second structure walls 11,21 and the outer walls 51. The air gap may thus provide an insulation wall such that heat can be trapped inside the air gap. The trapped heat can be released into the open space by a ventilation system (not shown) for regulating the temperature inside the modular cottage 1.

The second distance 34 creates a semi conditioned zone in cottage 1 that evens out and controls the indoor temperature in zones so that the overall energy consumption may be reduced.

The outer structure walls 51 may comprise log walls, timer walls, glass walls, stone walls, plastic walls or any combination thereof. The outer structure walls 51 may comprise at least a section of glass wall or the entire outer structure walls 51 may comprise glass walls as shown in figs. 4-7.

The section of the glass wall may at least be located at the open space at opposite side surfaces of the outer structure wall 51, to create transparency throughout the open space of the modular cottage. This means that from the outside it may be possible to look through a longitudinal cross section of the modular cottage 1.

The first and second inner structures (A,B) may be prefabricated ready modules having different shapes. Figs 2 shows that the first and second inner structures (A,B) may be square shaped. The first and/or second structures (A,B) may be made of several sections to be assembled to a square or any other preferable shape. Accordingly, the outer structure walls 51 may be prefabricated in one or more elements or modules and adapted to the shape of the first and second inner structures (A,B).

The first and second inner structure (A,B) may be square shaped structures comprising side walls 11,21 and an opening (not shown) facing each other. Thus, the openings are facing into the open space 31. The openings may be closeable by a door. The open space 35 between the first and second inner structures (A,B) may be the living room and/or kitchen room. The first and second inner structures (A,B) may be sleeping rooms and/or bathrooms.

The roof may be a straight roof, slanting roof, a gable roof, or any combination thereof. Figs.1 and 2 and figs.4-7 shows a gable roof consisting of two roof sections sloping in opposite directions and placed such that the highest, horizontal edges meet to form the roof ridge.

Figure 2 shows that the modular cottage may comprise an internal roof 33. The term “internal roof 33” refers to a roof located at the internal of the modular cottage 1 and inside of the roof 32. Thus, the roof 32 is covering the internal roof 33, and the internal roof 33 may provide a second floor or attic floor of the modular cottage 1 arranged at a level above the main floor 31.

The roof 32 may be arranged directly onto the top of first and/or second inner structure (A,B) walls 11,21, or the roof 32 may be arranged above the internal roof 33 covering the first and/or second structure (A,B). Thus, the ceiling of the first and/or second structure (A,B) may be the inside surface of the roof 32 or it may be the inside surface of the internal roof 33. The ceiling is defined as the uppermost part of the surface of the rooms inside the modular cottage 1. The ceiling is not a part of the roofing but an artificial structure or surface at the inside of the room that is made to look pleasing as well as one that is also durable.

The internal roof 33 may be arranged on top of the walls 11,21 of the first and second inner structure (A,B). The internal roof 33 may be constructed in 73-75mm solid wood which also may be used as the attic floor. The entrance into the attic floor above the first and/or second inner structure walls 11,21 may be from the open space 35 using a ladder or stairs.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the roof 32 is planar and the roof 32 covering the first and second inner structure (A,B), together with the first distance 30. The roof 32 provides a ceiling for the first and second inner structure rooms and the open space 35.

Figs 4 and 5 shows side views of the modular cottage 1 arranged on piles on a sloping ground floor. Longitudinal beams may be mounted above the piles. The beams may be of impregnated wood or steel. The top being levelled such that the floor 32 may be placed on top.

Floor elements of dimensions 73-100mm of solid wood may be laid on the beams and connected together to form the building base and the finished floor 32. The floor 32 may also be made in a single prefabricated unit or it may comprise one or more connectable floor elements.

The first and second inner structure (A,B) provides separate rooms and simultaneously creates a living room (open space) between the separate rooms. Figure 4 shows the first inner structure A at one side, and figure 5 shows the second inner structure B at opposite sides of the modular cottage 1.

The first and second inner structure (A,B) may be furnished as needed based on premade modules, but may also be built from recycled materials and in sections.

On top of the first and second inner structure (A,B), an internal roof 33 is constructed in

73-75mm solid wood which also becomes the attic floor. The floor construction may in addition provide a platform for the roof 32 construction.

The first and/or the second inner structures (A,B) may comprise walls 11,21 made from log structures, built with horizontal logs interlocked at the corners by notching. The logs are squared or hewn and may be either handcrafted or milled. The logs structure may comprise openings for mounting glass windows or glass wall sections to provide daylight into the first and second inner structures. Figure 5 shows that the lower part of the log structure may comprise an opening for visuality and for letting daylight into the second inner structure (B).

On the attic floor, the knee walls made of wood may be used to support the rafters in the timber roof construction. The knee walls extend through the gable walls and support the roof elements. The gable walls may be produced from sheats or remains of the solid wood floors and are constructed to support the beam ridge. The ridge beam may be led out through the gable wall and adapted to carry the roof elements.

Roof elements of dimensions 95-100mm of solid wood may be laid on and fastened to supporting beams. The thickness being adapted to carry the weight of snow load, and should withstand up to 6,5kN with moderate deflection.

As shown in figs.4-7 the modular cottage 1 comprises an outer structure 50 comprising glass wall 51 sections, and arranged with a second distance 34 from the first and second structure walls (A,B).

The second distance 34 creates a semi conditioned zone in the cottage 1 that evens out and controls the indoor temperature in zones that will be able to reduce energy consumption while having maximum flexibility in relation to insight into the cottage and transparency in the facade and comfort in the different rooms.

The entire structure of the modular cottage 1 is surrounded by an air gap that allows the principle of semi-air-conditioned space between the outer structure walls and walls of the first and second inner structure. As mentioned above, the purpose of the air gap is to divide into zones, the living room and the other rooms to even out temperatures and indoor climatic conditions, and in the long rond circulate and recover heat during winter, and ventilate excess heat during summer.

The large roof 32 projections may also help against excess heat during summer when the sun is high, but are not blocking in the sun during winter when the sun is low and the sun's heat is needed.

Solid wood constructions may also provide a certain thermal storage effect that evens out the temperature differences.

The outer structure walls 51 may be made of a single layer structure of wood or glass, or the outer structure may be built traditionally with leaching, insulation, soundproofing and ventilated cladding, or as a compact construction with a vapor barrier against the wooden structures, compact insulation and diffusion-tight roofing directly onto the insulation. The latter is the most affordable solution. The same solution can be used under the floors, on walls and in the roof.

Figs.6 and 7 shows a front and back view of the modular cottage 1, comprising a first and second inner structures (A,B) arranged at a first distance 30 between each other and providing the open space 35 at the centre of the cottage 1. The outer structure 50 is arranged at a second distance 34 from the first and second inner structure walls 51, creating the air gap along the walls 11,21 facing the outer structure walls 51.

The outer structure 50 comprises glass walls 51 enveloping the cottage 1 together with a roof 32. Through the transparent glass walls 51, the log walls 11,21 of the first and second inner structures (A,B) are visible. In addition, the first distance 30 area of the modular cottage 1 is transparent, meaning that it is possible to look through the cottage at the open space 35, from the front side to the back side.

Claims (10)

Claims

1. A modular cottage (1) comprises:

- a first inner structure (A) comprising first structure walls (11),

- a second inner structure (B) comprising second structure walls (21),

wherein the first and second inner structure (A,B) are arranged with a first distance (30) between each other,

- a floor (31) supporting the first inner structure (A) and the second inner structure (B), - a roof (32) covering the first inner structure (A) and the second inner structure (B), and wherein the floor (31) and the roof (32) extends from beyond and including the first inner structure (A) to beyond and including the second inner structure (B),

wherein the modular cottage (1) further comprises an outer structure (50) comprising walls (51) connected to the floor (31) and the roof (32), and enclosing the first and second inner structure (A,B) such that the first distance (30) between the first and second inner structure (A,B) provides an open space (35) of the modular cottage (1).

2. The modular cottage according to claim 1,

wherein the modular cottage (1) comprises an inner roof (33) arranged below the roof (32) and covering at least the first inner structure (A) and/or the second inner structure (B).

3. The modular cottage according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the first and second inner structure (A,B) are square shaped structures comprising side walls (11,21) and an opening facing each other.

4. The modular cottage according to claim 3,

wherein the floor (31) extends a second distance (34) beyond the first and second structure walls (11,21).

5. The modular cottage according to claim 4,

wherein the outer walls (51) are located at a perimeter of the floor (31) such that an air gap is provided in the second distance (34) between the first and second structure walls (11,21) and the outer walls (51).

6. The modular cottage according to claim 5,

wherein the air gap provides an insulation wall such that heat can be trapped inside the air gap.

7. The modular cottage according to claim 6,

wherein the trapped heat can be released into the open space by a ventilation system for regulating the temperature inside the modular cottage (1).

8. The modular cottage according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the outer walls comprises at least a section of glass wall.

9. The modular cottage according to claim 8,

wherein the section of the glass wall is located at the open space at opposite sides to create a through looking sight straight through the open space of the modular cottage (1).

10. A method of constructing a modular (1) cottage, wherein the modular cottage (1) comprises:

- a first inner structure (A) comprising first structure walls (11),

- a second inner structure (B) comprising second structure walls (21),

- a floor (31),

- a roof (32), and

- an outer structure (50) comprising outer structure walls (51),

wherein the method comprises the step of:

- placing out the floor (31) on a ground surface,

- placing the first inner structure (A) onto the floor (31) inside an outer perimeter of the floor (31),

- placing the second inner structure (B) onto the floor (31) inside the outer perimeter of the floor (31), and with a first distance (30) from the first inner structure (A) providing an open space between the structures (A,B),

- placing the outer structure (50) at the perimeter of the floor (31) the such that an air gap is provided between the first and second inner structures (A,B) and the outer structure (50),

- placing the roof (32) on top of the first and second inner structures (A,B) and the outer structure (50).