Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
RETROFITTED REAL ESTATE AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure is related to real estate technology.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Building conventional real estate is capital intensive and slow.
Accordingly, short-
term changes in demand for real estate do not conventionally lead to rapid
changes in real estate
capacity. For example, markets with high demand for real estate often suffer
from insufficient real
estate capacity for years before new conventional real estate projects are
approved and completed.
Peer-to-peer real estate networks mitigate this problem to some degree, but
have other significant
disadvantages, such as high transaction costs, inconsistent quality, and
regulatory issues.
Independent of these problems, valuable real estate in major urban areas is
often unutilized or under
utilized. These and other aspects of conventional real estate represent
inefficiencies with the
potential to be at least partially addressed by innovation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Many aspects of the present technology can be better understood with
reference to the
following drawings. The relative dimensions in the drawings may be to scale
with respect to some
embodiments of the present technology. With respect to other embodiments, the
drawings may not
be to scale. The drawings may also be enlarged arbitrarily. For clarity of
illustration, reference-
number labels for analogous components or features may be omitted when the
appropriate
reference-number labels for such analogous components or features are clear in
the context of the
specification and all of the drawings considered together. Furthermore, the
same reference numbers
may be used to identify analogous components or features in multiple described
embodiments.
[0004] Figure 1 is a top plan view of an urban area and a hotel in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology at the urban area.
[0005] Figure 2 is a front profile view of a first block of the urban area
shown in Figure 1.
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[0006] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a building at the
first block of the urban
area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line A-A in Figure 2 with an interior
region within the
building in a first state.
[0007] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building at the
first block of the urban
area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line A-A in Figure 2 and showing a
lodging unit of the hotel
shown in Figure 1, the lodging unit including the interior region within the
building in a second
state.
[0008] Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, a first side profile view,
an opposite second side
profile view, a first end profile view, and an opposite second end profile
view of a bathroom of the
lodging unit shown in Figure 4.
[0009] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of the
lodging unit shown
in Figure 4 taken along the line 9-9 in Figure 5.
[0010] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 9.
[0011] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the lodging unit
shown in Figure 4 taken along the line 11-11 in Figure 5.
[0012] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of the
lodging unit shown
in Figure 4 taken along the line 12-12 in Figure 5.
[0013] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the lodging unit
shown in Figure 4 taken along the line 13-13 in Figure 5.
[0014] Figure 14 is a front profile view of a second block of the urban
area shown in Figure 1.
[0015] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a building at the
second block of the
urban area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line B-B in Figure 14 with
interior regions within the
building in the first state.
[0016] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building at the
second block of the
urban area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line B-B in Figure 14 and showing
a cluster of lodging
units of the hotel shown in Figure 1, the cluster of lodging units including
the interior regions within
the building in the second state.
[0017] Figure 17 is top plan view of a set of wall components in accordance
with an
embodiment of the present technology.
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[0018] Figure 18 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 16.
[0019] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a
portion of the cluster of
lodging units shown in Figure 16 corresponding to the portion of Figure 16
shown in Figure 18.
[0020] Figure 20 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 19.
[0021] Figure 21 is side profile view of a wall component of a
compartmentalizing assembly
of the hotel shown in Figure 1.
[0022] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the wall component
of the
compartmentalizing assembly of the hotel shown in Figure 1 taken along the
line 22-22 in Figure
21.
[0023] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional end profile view of the wall
component of the
compartmentalizing assembly of the hotel shown in Figure 1 taken along the
line 23-23 in Figure
21.
[0024] Figure 24 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 23.
[0025] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building at the
second block of the
urban area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line B-B in Figure 14 and showing
a cluster of lodging
units of a hotel in accordance with another embodiment of the present
technology, the cluster of
lodging units including the interior regions within the building in the second
state.
[0026] Figure 26 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 25.
[0027] Figure 27 is a cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a
portion of the cluster of
lodging units shown in Figure 25 corresponding to the portion of Figure 25
shown in Figure 26.
[0028] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building at the
second block of the
urban area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line B-B in Figure 14 and showing
a cluster of lodging
units of a hotel in accordance with another embodiment of the present
technology, the cluster of
lodging units including the interior regions within the building in the second
state.
[0029] Figure 29 is a front profile view of a third block of the urban area
shown in Figure 1.
[0030] Figure 30 is a cross-sectional top plan view of buildings at the
third block of the urban
area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line C-C in Figure 29 with interior
regions within the
buildings in the first state.
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[0031] Figures 31 and 32 are cross-sectional top plan views of the
buildings at the third block
of the urban area shown in Figure 1 taken, respectively, along the lines C-C
and 32-32 in Figure 29
and showing a cluster of lodging units of the hotel shown in Figure 1, the
cluster of lodging units
including the interior regions within the buildings in the second state.
[0032] Figure 33 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 32.
[0033] Figure 34 is a cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a
portion of the cluster of
lodging units shown in Figure 32 corresponding to the portion of Figure 32
shown in Figure 33.
[0034] Figure 35 is a front profile view of a fourth block of the urban
area shown in Figure 1.
[0035] Figure 36 is a cross-sectional top plan view of buildings at the
fourth block of the
urban area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line D-D in Figure 35 with
interior regions within the
buildings in the first state.
[0036] Figure 37 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the buildings at the
fourth block of the
urban area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line D-D in Figure 35 and showing
a cluster of
lodging units of the hotel shown in Figure 1, the cluster of lodging units
including the interior
regions within the buildings in the second state.
[0037] Figure 38 is a front profile view of a fifth block of the urban area
shown in Figure 1.
[0038] Figure 39 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a building at the
fifth block of the urban
area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line E-E in Figure 38 with interior
regions within the
building in the first state.
[0039] Figure 40 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building at the
fifth block of the
urban area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line E-E n Figure 38 and showing
a cluster of lodging
units of the hotel shown in Figure 1, the cluster of lodging units including
the interior regions within
the building in the second state.
[0040] Figure 41 is a front profile view of a sixth block of the urban area
shown in Figure 1.
[0041] Figure 42 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a building at the
sixth block of the urban
area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line F-F in Figure 41 with an interior
region within the
building in the first state.
[0042] Figure 43 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building at the
sixth block of the
urban area shown in Figure 1 taken along the line F-F in Figure 41 and showing
a guest-services
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hub of the hotel shown in Figure 1, the guest-services hub including the
interior region within the
building in the second state.
[0043] Figures 44 and 45 are schematic diagrams illustrating a network of
hotels in
accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.
[0044] Figure 46 is a block diagram illustrating a method for operating the
network of hotels
shown in Figures 44 and 45 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
technology.
[0045] Figure 47 is an operational diagram showing spring intake and
migration of capital
within the network of hotels shown in Figures 44 and 45.
[0046] Figure 48 is a operational diagram showing summer intake of capital
within the
network of hotels shown in Figures 44 and 45.
[0047] Figure 49 is a operational diagram showing fall intake and migration
of capital within
the network of hotels shown in Figures 44 and 45.
[0048] Figure 50 is a operational diagram showing winter intake of capital
within the network
of hotels shown in Figures 44 and 45.
[0049] Figure 51 is a front profile view of a school building in a first
state.
[0050] Figure 52 is a top plan view of the school building shown in Figure
51 in the first state
taken along the line G-G in Figure 51.
[0051] Figure 53 is a top plan view of a collection of rentable units and
associated structures
in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology at the school
building shown in Figure
51 in a second state taken along the line G-G in Figure 51.
[0052] Figures 54, 55, 56 and 57 are, respectively, a first side profile
view, an opposite second
side profile view, a first end profile view, and an opposite second end
profile view of a bathroom of
the collection shown in Figure 53.
[0053] Figure 58 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of the
collection shown in
Figure 53 taken along the line 58-58 in Figure 54.
[0054] Figure 59 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 58.
[0055] Figure 60 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the collection
shown in Figure 53 taken along the line 60-60 in Figure 54.
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[0056] Figure 61 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of the
collection shown in
Figure 53 taken along the line 61-61 in Figure 54.
[0057] Figure 62 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the collection
shown in Figure 53 taken along the line 62-62 in Figure 54.
[0058] Figure 63 is top plan view of wall components types included in a
compartmentalizing
assembly of the collection shown in Figure 53.
[0059] Figure 64 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 53.
[0060] Figures 65 and 66 are, respectively, a first side profile view and
an opposite second
side profile view approximately corresponding to the portion of Figure 53
shown in Figure 64.
[0061] Figure 67 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 66.
[0062] Figure 68 is side profile view of a wall component of the
compartmentalizing
assembly of the collection shown in Figure 53.
[0063] Figure 69 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the wall component
of the
compartmentalizing assembly of the collection shown in Figure 53 taken along
the line 69-69 in
Figure 68.
[0064] Figure 70 is a cross-sectional end plan view of the wall component
of the
compartmentalizing assembly of the collection shown in Figure 53 taken along
the line 70-70 in
Figure 68.
[0065] Figure 71 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 70.
[0066] Figure 72 is a top plan view of a portion of a collection of
rentable units and associated
structures in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology at
the school building
shown in Figure 51 in the second state taken along the line 72-72 in Figure
51.
[0067] Figure 73 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 72.
[0068] Figure 74 is a side profile view approximately corresponding to the
portion of Figure
72 shown in Figure 73 taken along the line 74-74 in Figure 73.
[0069] Figures 75 and 76 are, respectively, top plan views of collections
of rentable units and
associated structures in accordance with additional embodiments of the present
technology at the
school building shown in Figure 51 in the second state taken along the line G-
G in Figure 51.
[0070] Figure 77 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 76.
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[0071] Figures 78 and 79 are, respectively, an exterior side profile view
and an opposite
interior side profile view approximately corresponding to the portion of
Figure 76 shown in Figure
77.
[0072] Figure 80 is a top plan view of a doorway of a collection of
rentable units and
associated structures in accordance with another embodiment of the present
technology at the
school building shown in Figure 51 in the second state taken along the line G-
G in Figure 51 and
corresponding to the portion shown in Figure 77.
[0073] Figures 81-85 are, respectively, top plan views of collections of
rentable units and
associated structures in accordance with additional embodiments of the present
technology at the
school building shown in Figure 51 in the second state taken along the line G-
G in Figure 51.
[0074] Figure 86 is a block diagram illustrating a method for making a
collection of rentable
units and associated structures in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology.
[0075] Figure 87 is a block diagram illustrating a method for operating a
collection of rentable
units and associated structures in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology.
[0076] Figure 88 is a front profile view of a single-family house including
an attached garage.
[0077] Figure 89 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the single-family
house shown in Figure
88 taken along the line H-H in Figure 88 with the garage in a first state.
[0078] Figure 90 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 89.
[0079] Figure 91 is a cross-sectional top plan view corresponding to the
portion of Figure 89
shown in Figure 90 and showing a real estate unit in accordance with an
embodiment of the present
technology including an interior region of the garage of the single-family
house shown in Figure 88
with the garage in a second state.
[0080] Figure 92 is an enlarged view of a first portion of Figure 91
showing a barrier of the
real estate unit.
[0081] Figures 93 and 94 are, respectively, a cross-sectional exterior side
profile view and a
cross-sectional interior side profile view of a portion of the real estate
unit shown in Figure 91
corresponding to the first portion of Figure 91 shown in Figure 92.
[0082] Figure 95 is a top plan view corresponding to the first portion of
Figure 91 shown in
Figure 92 and showing a barrier of a real estate unit in accordance with
another embodiment of the
present technology.
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[0083] Figure 96 is an enlarged view of a second portion of Figure 91
showing an exterior
enclosure of the real estate unit.
[0084] Figures 97 and 98 are cross-sectional exterior side profile views of
a portion of the real
estate unit shown in Figure 91 corresponding to the second portion of Figure
91 shown in Figure 96
with vegetation of the exterior enclosure shown and not shown, respectively.
[0085] Figure 99 is an enlarged view of a third portion of Figure 91.
[0086] Figures 100 and 101 are cross-sectional exterior side profile views
of a portion of the
real estate unit shown in Figure 91 corresponding to the third portion of
Figure 91 shown in Figure
99 with vegetation of the exterior enclosure shown and not shown,
respectively.
[0087] Figure 102 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 98.
[0088] Figure 103 is side profile view of a wall component of the exterior
enclosure of the
real estate unit shown in Figure 91.
[0089] Figure 104 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the wall component
of the exterior
enclosure of the real estate unit shown in Figure 91 taken along the line 104-
104 in Figure 103.
[0090] Figure 105 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the wall
component of the exterior
enclosure of the real estate unit shown in Figure 91 taken along the line 105-
105 in Figure 103.
[0091] Figure 106 is a cross-sectional end plan view of the wall component
of the exterior
enclosure of the real estate unit shown in Figure 91 taken along the line 106-
106 in Figure 103.
[0092] Figure 107 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 106.
[0093] Figures 108, 109, 110 and 111 are, respectively, a first side
profile view, an opposite
second side profile view, a first end profile view, and an opposite second end
profile view of a
bathroom of the real estate unit shown in Figure 91.
[0094] Figure 112 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of the
real estate unit
shown in Figure 91 taken along the line 112-112 in Figure 108.
[0095] Figure 113 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 112.
[0096] Figure 114 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 91 taken along the line 114-114 in Figure 108.
[0097] Figure 115 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of the
real estate unit
shown in Figure 91 taken along the line 115-115 in Figure 108.
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[0098] Figure 116 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 91 taken along the line 116-116 in Figure 108.
[0099] Figure 117 is a cross-sectional top plan view corresponding to the
portion of Figure 89
shown in Figure 90 and showing a real estate unit in accordance with another
embodiment of the
present technology including the interior region of the garage of the single-
family house shown in
Figure 88 with the garage in the second state.
[00100] Figure 118 is a cross-sectional top plan view corresponding to the
portion of Figure 89
shown in Figure 90 and showing a real estate unit in accordance with another
embodiment of the
present technology including the interior region of the garage of the single-
family house shown in
Figure 88 with the garage in the second state.
[00101] Figure 119 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
in accordance with
another embodiment of the present technology including an interior region of a
three-car garage in
the second state.
[00102] Figure 120 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
in accordance with
another embodiment of the present technology including the interior region of
the three-car garage
in the second state.
[00103] Figure 121 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
in accordance with
another embodiment of the present technology including an interior region of a
detached one-car
garage in the second state.
[00104] Figure 122 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
in accordance with
another embodiment of the present technology including an interior region of a
detached two-car
garage in the second state.
[00105] Figure 123 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
in accordance with
another embodiment of the present technology including an interior region of a
detached two-car
garage in the second state.
[00106] Figure 124 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
retrofitting a garage to form at
least a portion of a real estate unit in accordance with an embodiment of the
present technology.
[00107] Figure 125 is a block diagram illustrating a method for operating a
real estate unit in
accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.
[00108] Figure 126 is a back profile view of a commercial building.
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[00109] Figure 127 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the commercial
building shown in
Figure 126 taken along the line I-I in Figure 126 with an interior space
within the commercial
building in a first state.
[00110] Figure 128 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 127.
[00111] Figure 129 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a portion of the
commercial building
shown in Figure 126 corresponding to the portion of Figure 127 shown in Figure
128 and showing a
real estate unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology
including the interior
space within the commercial building in a second state.
[00112] Figure 130 is an enlarged view of a first portion of Figure 129.
[00113] Figures 131 and 132 are, respectively, a cross-sectional exterior
side profile view and a
cross-sectional interior side profile view of a portion of the real estate
unit shown in Figure 129
corresponding to the first portion of Figure 129 shown in Figure 130.
[00114] Figure 133 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a portion of a
real estate unit in
accordance with another embodiment of the present technology corresponding to
the first portion of
Figure 129 shown in Figure 130.
[00115] Figure 134 is an enlarged view of a second portion of Figure 129.
[00116] Figure 135 is a cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a
portion of the real estate
unit shown in Figure 129 corresponding to the second portion of Figure 129
shown in Figure 134.
[00117] Figure 136 is a cross-sectional exterior side profile view of the
portion of the real
estate unit shown in Figure 129 corresponding to the second portion of Figure
129 shown in Figure
134 with vegetation of an exterior enclosure of the real estate unit not
shown.
[00118] Figure 137 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 136.
[00119] Figure 138 is side profile view of an exterior wall component of
the exterior enclosure
of the real estate unit shown in Figure 129.
[00120] Figure 139 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the exterior wall
component of the
exterior enclosure of the real estate unit shown in Figure 129 taken along the
line 139-139 in Figure
138.
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[00121] Figure 140 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the exterior
wall component of the
exterior enclosure of the real estate unit shown in Figure 129 taken along the
line 140-140 in Figure
138.
[00122] Figure 141 is a cross-sectional end profile view of the exterior
wall component of the
exterior enclosure of the real estate unit shown in Figure 129 taken along the
line 141-141 in Figure
138.
[00123] Figure 142 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 141.
[00124] Figure 143 is an enlarged view of a third portion of Figure 129.
[00125] Figures 144 and 145 are, respectively, a cross-sectional exterior
side profile view and a
cross-sectional interior side profile view of a portion of the real estate
unit shown in Figure 129
corresponding to the third portion of Figure 129 shown in Figure 143.
[00126] Figure 146 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 145.
[00127] Figure 147 is side profile view of an interior wall component of a
compartmentalizing
assembly of the real estate unit shown in Figure 129.
[00128] Figure 148 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the interior wall
component of the
compartmentalizing assembly of the real estate unit shown in Figure 129 taken
along the line 148-
148 in Figure 147.
[00129] Figure 149 is a cross-sectional end profile view of the interior
wall component of the
compartmentalizing assembly of the real estate unit shown in Figure 129 taken
along the line 149-
149 in Figure 147.
[00130] Figure 150 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 149.
[00131] Figure 151 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
in accordance with
another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
within the commercial
building shown in Figure 126 taken along the line 151-151 in Figure 126 with
the interior space in
the second state.
[00132] Figure 152 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 151.
[00133] Figure 153 is a cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a
portion of the real estate
unit shown in Figure 151 corresponding to the portion of Figure 151 shown in
Figure 152.
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[00134] Figures 154, 155, 156 and 157 are, respectively, a first side
profile view, an opposite
second side profile view, a first end profile view, and an opposite second end
profile view of a
bathroom of the real estate unit shown in Figure 129.
[00135] Figure 158 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 129 taken along the line 158-158 in Figure 154.
[00136] Figure 159 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 158.
[00137] Figure 160 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 129 taken along the line 160-160 in Figure 154.
[00138] Figure 161 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 129 taken along the line 161-161 in Figure 154.
[00139] Figure 162 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 129 taken along the line 162-162 in Figure 154.
[00140] Figures 163-167 are, respectively, cross-sectional top plan views
of real estate units in
accordance with additional embodiments of the present technology including the
interior space
within the commercial building shown in Figure 126 taken along the line I-I in
Figure 126 with the
interior space in the second state.
[00141] Figure 168 is a front profile view of a block of an urban area.
[00142] Figure 169 is a cross-sectional top plan view of commercial
buildings at the block
shown in Figure 168 taken along the line J-J in Figure 168 with interior
spaces within the
commercial buildings in a first state.
[00143] Figure 170 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the commercial
buildings shown in
Figure 168 taken along the line J-J in Figure 168 and showing a real estate
complex including real
estate units in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology
respectively including the
interior spaces within the commercial buildings in the second state.
[00144] Figure 171 is a front profile view of a mini-storage complex.
[00145] Figure 172 is a cross-sectional top plan view of mini-storage
buildings within the mini-
storage complex shown in Figure 171 taken along the line K-K in Figure 171
with interior spaces
within the mini-storage buildings in a first state.
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[00146] Figure 173 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the mini-storage
buildings shown in
Figure 172 taken along the line K-K in Figure 171 and showing a real estate
complex including real
estate units in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology
respectively including the
interior spaces within the mini-storage buildings in the second state.
[00147] Figure 174 is a block diagram illustrating a method for making a
real estate unit in
accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.
[00148] Figure 175 is a block diagram illustrating a method for operating a
real estate unit in
accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.
[00149] Figure 176 is a front profile view of a commercial building.
[00150] Figure 177 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the commercial
building shown in
Figure 176 taken along the line L-L in Figure 176 with an interior space
within the commercial
building in a first state.
[00151] Figure 178 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 177.
[00152] Figure 179 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a portion of the
commercial building
shown in Figure 176 corresponding to the portion of Figure 177 shown in Figure
178 and showing a
real estate unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology
including the interior
space within the commercial building in a second state.
[00153] Figure 180 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 179.
[00154] Figures 181 and 182 are, respectively, a cross-sectional exterior
side profile view and a
cross-sectional interior side profile view of a portion of the real estate
unit shown in Figure 179
corresponding to the portion of Figure 179 shown in Figure 180.
[00155] Figure 183 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 182.
[00156] Figure 184 is side profile view of a wall component of the real
estate unit shown in
Figure 179.
[00157] Figure 185 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the wall component
of the real estate
unit shown in Figure 179 taken along the line 185-185 in Figure 184.
[00158] Figure 186 is a cross-sectional end profile view of the wall
component of the real
estate unit shown in Figure 179 taken along the line 186-186 in Figure 184.
[00159] Figure 187 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 186.
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[00160] Figure 188 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
in accordance with
another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
within the commercial
building shown in Figure 176 taken along the line 188-188 in Figure 176 with
the interior space in
the second state.
[00161] Figure 189 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 188.
[00162] Figure 190 is a cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a
portion of the real estate
unit shown in Figure 188 corresponding to the portion of Figure 188 shown in
Figure 189.
[00163] Figures 191, 192, 193 and 194 are, respectively, a first side
profile view, an opposite
second side profile view, a first end profile view, and an opposite second end
profile view of a
bathroom of the real estate unit shown in Figure 179.
[00164] Figure 195 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 179 taken along the line 195-195 in Figure 191.
[00165] Figure 196 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 195.
[00166] Figure 197 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 179 taken along the line 197-197 in Figure 191.
[00167] Figure 198 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 179 taken along the line 198-198 in Figure 191.
[00168] Figure 199 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom of
the real estate unit
shown in Figure 179 taken along the line 199-199 in Figure 191.
[00169] Figures 200-202 are, respectively, cross-sectional top plan views
of the commercial
building shown in Figure 176 taken along the line L-L in Figure 176 and
showing real estate units
in accordance with additional embodiment of the present technology including
the interior space
within the commercial building in the second state.
[00170] Figures 203-205 are, respectively, cross-sectional top plan views
of real estate units in
accordance with additional embodiments of the present technology including the
interior space
within the commercial building shown in Figure 176 taken along the line L-L in
Figure 176 with the
interior space in the second state.
[00171] Figure 206 is a block diagram illustrating a method for making a
real estate unit in
accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00172] Figure 207 is a block diagram illustrating a method for operating a
real estate unit in
accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00173] Specific details of several embodiments of the present technology
are disclosed herein
with reference to Figures 1-207. It should be noted, in general, that other
embodiments in addition
to those disclosed herein are within the scope of the present technology. For
example, embodiments
of the present technology can have different configurations, components,
and/or operations than
those disclosed herein. Moreover, a person of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that
embodiments of the present technology can have configurations, components,
and/or operations in
addition to those disclosed herein and that these and other embodiments can be
without
configurations, components, and/or operations disclosed herein without
deviating from the present
technology.
[00174] Disclosed herein are examples of dynamic interstitial hotels and
related technology.
Hotels in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can at least
partially address one
or more of the problems described above and/or other problems associated with
conventional
technologies whether or not such problems are stated herein. Hotels in
accordance with at least
some embodiments of the present technology are dynamic. For example, dynamic
hotels can
include inventories of lodging units that change over time. In addition or
alternatively, hotels in
accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology are
interstitial. For example,
interstitial hotels can include lodging units (e.g., individual lodging units
and/or clusters of lodging
units) retrofitted (e.g., at least substantially reversibly retrofitted) at
urban interstices.
[00175] In association with being interstitial, hotels in accordance with
at least some
embodiments of the present technology are highly decentralized relative to
conventional hotels.
Examples of suitable urban interstices include buildings, portions of
buildings, land, and other
pieces of real estate dispersed among miscellaneous other pieces of real
estate in an urban area.
Intervening spaces between urban interstices retrofitted for lodging use in
accordance with
embodiments of the present technology can be public spaces (e.g., public
streets, alleys, and
sidewalks) and/or privately owned spaces (e.g., unaffiliated private buildings
and land). Some of
these intervening spaces can serve functions similar to the functions served
by common areas (e.g.,
common corridors, lounges, restaurants, etc.) in conventional hotels.
Furthermore, hotels in
accordance at least some embodiments of the present technology include lodging
units formed at
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
urban interstices that are temporarily or perpetually underutilized. A vacant
commercial space, for
example, may be a temporarily underutilized urban interstice. An excess
portion of an occupied
commercial space, for example, may be a perpetually underutilized urban
interstice. In addition or
alternatively, these and other hotels in accordance embodiments of the present
technology can
include lodging units formed at urban interstices that are fully utilized
before (e.g., immediately
before) being retrofitted for use as lodging units.
[00176] A hotel in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present
technology includes
lodging units having reusable bathrooms removably disposed within respective
commercial
buildings. The bathrooms and/or other suitable components of the lodging units
can be configured
for low-cost deployment, removal, and redeployment. Use of these components
can allow revenue
from operating a given one of the lodging units to exceed costs associated
with transitioning space
within the corresponding commercial building from its purpose-built use (e.g.,
retail use, office use,
restaurant use, industrial use, warehouse use, garage use, etc.) to lodging
use even if the given
lodging unit is only operated for a short period of time (e.g., less than one
year). Thus, an operator
of the hotel may lease spaces within commercial buildings short-term (e.g.,
monthly) from owners
of the commercial buildings and retrofit the spaces for provision of lodging
to third parties with
little or no risk of incurring significant economic loss. Even if the owners
terminate the leases or if
demand for the newly created lodging units is lower than expected, most of the
capital associated
with retrofitting the spaces can be recoverable. Furthermore, capital embodied
in the components
can be readily relocatable in response to long-term and short-term (e.g.,
seasonal) changes in
demand for lodging.
[00177] Among various types of real estate, commercial buildings are
particularly well suited
to be retrofitted to accommodate lodging uses. For example, commercial
buildings tend to be
unfurnished or sparsely finished in their purpose-built uses, which can
facilitate retrofitting. As
another example, commercial buildings often have large openings and/or
storefronts at ground
level. These openings and storefronts can be well suited for use as sources of
natural light and/or as
points of direct exterior access. As another example, commercial buildings are
often vacant for
long periods of time between commercial tenancies. Commercial buildings
compatible with
embodiments of the present technology can have other desirable attributes in
addition to or instead
of the forgoing attributes. Furthermore, embodiments of the present technology
can be
implemented in other types of real estate, such as residential garages.
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[00178] Figure 1 is a top plan view of an urban area 100 and a hotel 102 in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology at the urban area 100. The urban area 100
can include
buildings 104 (individually identified as buildings 104a-104m) at which
lodging units (not shown in
Figure 1) and other portions of the hotel 102 are respectively located. The
buildings 104 can be
clustered (e.g., in neighboring pairs or groups) or separate (e.g., surrounded
by the miscellaneous
other buildings 106). The buildings 104 can have the same or different
respective owners. The
buildings 104 can be dispersed among the miscellaneous other buildings 106
within the urban area
100. In at least some embodiments, the urban area 100 is mostly or entirely
non-residential. For
example, the urban area 100 can be a central commercial district, a mostly or
entirely retail and/or
office district, or a mostly or entirely industrial and/or warehouse district
of a greater urban area.
Furthermore, the buildings 104 can have a municipal zoning that prohibits
residential use and limits
lodging use by floor-space allocation. For example, the buildings 104 can have
a municipal zoning
that limits lodging use to not more than a maximum floor-space allocation area
(e.g., a maximum
within a range from 1,000 to 8,000 square feet) and/or limits lodging use to
not more than
maximum floor-space allocation percentage (e.g., a maximum within a range from
10% to 50%). In
other embodiments, the urban area 100 can have other suitable predominant use
types and/or zoning
restrictions.
[00179] The urban area 100 can include blocks 108 (individually identified
as blocks 108a-
1081) at which the buildings 104 are disposed. Figure 2 is a front profile
view of the block 108a.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building 104a at the block
108a taken along the
line A-A in Figure 2. The building 104a can include permanent exterior walls
110 (individually
identified as exterior walls 110a-110d), and permanent interior walls 112.
Within the exterior walls
110, the building 104a can include an interior region 114. The building 104a
can further include a
building bathroom 116 and a utility room 118. Opening into the building
bathroom 116 and the
utility room 118, respectively, the building 104a can include interior doors
120 (individually
identified as interior doors 120a, 120b). The exterior wall 110a can be
between the interior region
114 and a first outdoor area 122 that includes a sidewalk 124. At the exterior
wall 110a, the
building 104a can include a storefront 126. The storefront 126 can be heavily
fenestrated (e.g.,
greater than 50% fenestrated by area), and can include a front door 127. The
exterior wall 110c can
be between the interior region 114 and a second outdoor area 128 that includes
a yard 130. At the
exterior wall 110c, the building 104a can include a back door 132. In at least
some cases, the yard
130 is paved and/or otherwise configured to facilitate automobile parking.
Although the exterior
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
wall 110c in the illustrated embodiment is a back wall, in other embodiments a
counterpart of the
exterior wall 110c can be a side wall.
[00180] As shown in Figure 3, the building bathroom 116 can include a
toilet 134 and a sink
136. The building 104a can include a plumbing drain trunk line 138 and a water
supply trunk line
140 operably associated with the building bathroom 116. The plumbing drain
trunk line 138 can
follow a drainage route from the building bathroom 116 toward a sewage
destination (e.g., a
municipal sewer, not shown). Similarly, the water supply trunk line 140 can
follow a supply route
from a water source (e.g., a municipal water source, not shown) toward the
building bathroom 116.
The plumbing drain trunk line 138 can be below-ground, such as positioned
below a ground surface
outside the building 104a along the drainage route. In addition or
alternatively, the plumbing drain
trunk line 138 can be below-floor, such as positioned below a finished floor
surface of the building
104a along the drainage route. Similarly, the water supply trunk line 140 can
be below-ground,
such as positioned below a ground surface outside the building 104a along the
supply route. In
addition or alternatively, the water supply trunk line 140 can be below-floor,
such as positioned
below a finished floor surface of the building 104a along the supply route.
[00181] The plumbing drain trunk line 138 and/or the water supply trunk
line 140 can be
buried or otherwise permanently installed within a basement, a crawlspace, a
chase, a foundation, a
volume of dirt, or another suitable environment directly below the building
bathroom 116 and/or
directly below an area around the building bathroom 116. Furthermore, the
plumbing drain trunk
line 138 can be sloped to convey liquid waste (e.g., sewage) from the building
bathroom 116 toward
the sewage destination at least partially by gravity. The water supply trunk
line 140 can be
configured to convey potable water from the water source to the building
bathroom 116 under
pressure. In at least some cases, the building 104a includes a building water
heater 142 operably
associated with the water supply trunk line 140. In these cases, the water
supply trunk line 140 can
bifurcate into branches (not shown) that supply cold and hot water,
respectively, to the building
bathroom 116, such as at the sink 136. The building water heater 142 can be
operably associated
with a branch of the water supply trunk line 140 that supplies hot water to
the building bathroom
116. As shown in Figure 3, the building water heater 142 can be disposed
within the utility room
118. The building 104a can include a furnace 144 and an electrical panel 146
also disposed within
the utility room 118. The building 104a can further include a main electrical
supply line 148
through which the electrical panel 146 is operably connected to an electrical
source (e.g., a
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municipal power source, not shown). Electrical lines and fixtures downstream
from the electrical
panel 146 are omitted for clarity of illustration.
[00182] In Figure 3 the interior region 114 is shown in a first state,
which can be an original,
pre-retrofit, or similar state. In at least some embodiments, the interior
region 114 is purpose-built
for a use selected from a group consisting of retail use, office use,
restaurant use, industrial use,
warehouse use, storage use, garage use, and combinations thereof Figure 4 is a
cross-sectional top
plan view of the building 104a taken along the line A-A in Figure 2 and
showing a lodging unit 150
of the hotel 102. The lodging unit 150 can include the interior region 114 in
a second state, which
can be a non-original, post-retrofit, or similar state. The interior region
114 and the lodging unit
150 can be at a ground floor of the building 104a. In the second state, the
interior region 114 can be
retrofitted (e.g., at least substantially reversibly retrofitted) for lodging
use. The lodging unit 150
can include a variety of retrofits (e.g., at least substantially reversible
retrofits) to the building 104a
that change at least a portion of the building 104a from being well suited its
purpose-built use to
being well suited for lodging use. In at least some cases, reversal of all or
a portion of these
retrofits returns the portion of the building 104a from being well suited for
lodging use to again
being well suited for its purpose-built use.
[00183] Examples of reversible retrofits include removing, installing, and
relocating furniture
and fixtures with little or no associated demolition of the exterior and
interior walls 110, 112 or
other permanent fabric of the building 104a. The interior region 114 and other
suitable portions of
the building 104a can be at least substantially reversibly retrofitted to
accommodate the lodging unit
150. For example, a total cost of reversible retrofits to the building 104a
(e.g., a present value of at
least substantially reversibly installed reusable components of the lodging
unit 150) for a given
transformation of the interior region 114 from being well suited for a purpose-
built use to being
well suited for lodging use can be greater (e.g., at least 50% greater or at
least 100% greater) than a
total cost of permanent retrofits to the building 104a (e.g. modifications to
the permanent fabric of
the building 104a) for the given transformation. Capital associated with the
lodging use can be
readily re-deployable after the lodging use becomes inactive. In some cases,
the lodging use and
the lodging unit 150 are active for less than one year (e.g., six months or
less) between successive
transformations. In other cases, the lodging use and the lodging unit 150 can
have longer durations
or even be permanent.
[00184] As shown in Figure 4, the lodging unit 150 can include a bathroom
152 disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) within the building 104a. The bathroom 152 can include a
sink 154, a toilet
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
156, and a bath/shower 158. In at least some embodiments, the bathroom 152 is
reusable and
removably disposed within the building 104a. For example, unlike a
conventional bathroom that
can only be installed by heavy construction and removed by heavy demolition,
the bathroom 152
can be configured to be installed with little or no need for heavy
construction and removed with
little or no need for heavy demolition. Furthermore, the bathroom 152 can be
configured to be
conveniently transported and reused after its removal. In the illustrated
embodiment, the bathroom
152 is an assembly of reusable bathroom modules configured for rapid
deployment into and
removal from the building 104a in an at least partially disassembled state.
For example, the
bathroom 152 can be made up mostly or entirely of reusable modular components.
In other
embodiments, a counterpart of the bathroom 152 can be portable and configured
for rapid
deployment into and removal from the building 104a without significant
disassembly. This
deployment and removal can occur by forklift, by dolly, by operation of wheels
integrated into the
counterpart of the bathroom 152, or in another manner. In still other
embodiments, a counterpart of
the bathroom 152 can have other forms.
[00185] The lodging unit 150 can further include retrofitted support
systems (e.g., retrofitted
plumbing). The retrofitted support systems can include an above-floor plumbing
drain line 160
through which the bathroom 152 is operably connected to the plumbing drain
trunk line 138. The
above-floor plumbing drain line 160 can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed)
between the
bathroom 152 and the building bathroom 116. The interior door 120a can be
removed and the
bathroom 152 can be adjacent to the building bathroom 116 and positioned such
that the above-
floor plumbing drain line 160 extends through a doorway from which the
interior door 120a was
removed. The toilet 134 can also be removed exposing a toilet hookup 162 of
the building
bathroom 116. The above-floor plumbing drain line 160 can be operably
connected to the plumbing
drain trunk line 138 via the toilet hookup 162. The retrofitted support
systems can further include
water supply lines 164 (e.g., hot and cold) through which the bathroom 152 is
operably connected to
the water supply trunk line 140. For example, the water supply lines 164 can
be disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) between the bathroom 152 and sink hookups within the
building bathroom
116.
[00186] The retrofitted support systems can still further include a
retrofitted electrical system.
For example, the lodging unit 150 can include an electrical line 166 through
which the bathroom
152 and outlets (not shown) within the bathroom 152 are operably connected to
the electrical panel
146. The electrical line 166 can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed)
between the bathroom 152
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
and the electrical panel 146. The interior door 120b can be propped open (as
shown) or removed to
allow passage of the electrical line 166 between the bathroom 152 and the
electrical panel 146. The
lodging unit 150 can further include a plumbing ventilation line 168 and an
exhaust line 170
through which the bathroom 152 is operably connected to an exterior of the
building 104a. For
example, the lodging unit 150 can include an exhaust filter 172 (e.g.,
containing activated carbon)
disposed (e.g., removably disposed) on an exterior surface of the exterior
wall 110c, and the
plumbing ventilation line 168 and the exhaust line 170 can extend between the
bathroom 152 and
the exhaust filter 172. The above-floor plumbing drain line 160, the water
supply lines 164, the
electrical line 166, the plumbing ventilation line 168, and the exhaust line
170 can be temporary and
configured for reuse or disposal after the lodging unit 150 is decommissioned.
Alternatively, these
lines can be permanent.
[00187] The lodging unit 150 can be furnished or otherwise outfitted with
suitable furnishings,
fixtures, accessories, etc. to accommodate lodging use. In the illustrated
embodiment, the lodging
unit 150 includes a bed 174, side tables 176, upholstered chairs 178,
workstations 180 (individually
identified as workstations 180a, 180b), a sofa 182, a coffee table 184,
monitors 186 (individually
identified as monitors 186a, 186b), a kitchenette 188, and a set of step
stairs 190. The monitor 186a
can be horizontally slidable on a track (not shown) from a location well
suited for viewing from the
sofa 182 to a location well suited for viewing from the workstation 180a.
Similarly, the monitor
186b can be horizontally slidable on a track (not shown) from a location well
suited for viewing
from the bed 174 to a location well suited for viewing from the workstation
180b. The kitchenette
188 and the set of step stairs 190 can be operably associated with the
bathroom 152. The lodging
unit 150 can further include a curtain 192 and a partition 194. The curtain
192 can be located inside
the storefront 126 and can be closed for privacy. The partition 194 can
separate a main portion of
the lodging unit 150 from a service area including the utility room 118. In
other embodiments, the
lodging unit 150 can include other suitable furnishings, fixtures,
accessories, etc.
[00188] Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, a first side profile view,
an opposite second side
profile view, a first end profile view, and an opposite second end profile
view of the bathroom 152.
With reference to Figures 5-8 together, the bathroom 152 can include a
rectangular floor module
300, a rectangular ceiling module 302 vertically spaced apart from the floor
module 300, and a
plurality of wall modules 304 (individually identified as wall modules 304a-
304d) removably
connected to the floor and ceiling modules 300, 302 at respective perimeter
portions of the floor and
ceiling modules 300, 302. The bathroom 152 can further include a lower gasket
306 disposed
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
between the perimeter portion of the floor module 300 and the wall modules
304, and an upper
gasket 308 disposed between the perimeter portion of the ceiling module 302
and the wall modules
304. The floor module 300 can include upwardly extending tabs 310 through
which the floor
module 300 is secured to the wall modules 304. Similarly, the ceiling module
302 can include
downwardly extending tabs 312 through which the ceiling module 302 is secured
to the wall
modules 304. The wall modules 304c, 304d can include vertical flanges 314 at
which the wall
modules 304c, 304d are secured to the wall modules 304a, 304b. The bathroom
152 can include
bolts 316 and associated nuts 318 at the upwardly extending tabs 310, the
downwardly extending
tabs 312, and the vertical flanges 314.
[00189] At the wall module 304a (Figure 7), the bathroom 152 can include a
doorway opening
320, a frame 322 extending around the doorway opening 320, and a door 324
disposed within the
doorway opening 320 and hingedly connected to the frame 322. The bathroom 152
can further
include a handle 326 and hinges 328 operably associated with the door 324. At
the wall module
304b (Figure 8), the bathroom 152 can include a plumbing ventilation hookup
330 and an exhaust
hookup 332. The plumbing ventilation hookup 330 and the exhaust hookup 332 can
be configured
for convenient connection to and disconnection from the plumbing ventilation
line 168 and the
exhaust line 170, respectively, such as via quick release couplings (not
shown). The wall modules
304c, 304d can extend between the wall modules 304a, 304b at opposite sides of
the bathroom 152.
The bathroom 152 can be configured to be elevated above a floor surface of the
interior region 114.
For this purpose and/or another suitable purpose, the floor module 300 can
include feet 333. In at
least some embodiments, a gap between the feet 333 is large enough to allow
the bathroom 152,
when fully assembled, to be conveniently moved by forklift. At the ceiling
module 302, the
bathroom 152 can include skylights 334 that allow ambient light to enter an
interior of the bathroom
152.
[00190] At a side of the floor module 300 below the wall module 304c, the
bathroom 152 can
include a main plumbing drain hookup 335, a main cold water supply hookup 336,
and a main hot
water supply hookup 338. At an end of the floor module 300 below the wall
module 304b, the
bathroom 152 can include a main electrical hookup 340. The main plumbing drain
hookup 335, the
main cold water supply hookup 336, the main hot water supply hookup 338, and
the main electrical
hookup 340 can be configured for convenient connection to and disconnection
from the above-floor
plumbing drain line 192, a cold one of the water supply lines 196, a hot one
of the water supply
lines 196, and the electrical line 198, respectively, such as via quick
release couplings (not shown).
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At a side of the floor module 300 below the wall module 304d, the bathroom 152
can include an
auxiliary plumbing drain hookup 342, an auxiliary cold water supply hookup
344, an auxiliary hot
water supply hookup 346, and an auxiliary electrical hookup 348. The auxiliary
plumbing drain
hookup 342, the auxiliary cold water supply hookup 344, the auxiliary hot
water supply hookup
346, and the auxiliary electrical hookup 348 can be configured for convenient
connection to and
disconnection from corresponding lines (not shown) of the kitchenette 188,
such as via quick
release couplings (not shown).
[00191] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 152
taken along the line 9-9
in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 9, the floor module 300 can include a deck
354, and the bathroom
152 can include a sink 356, a toilet 358, and a bathtub/shower 360 disposed
(e.g., removably
disposed) on the deck 354. The sink 356 can include a basin 362, a sink drain
364, a sink faucet
366, a sink cold hot knob 368, and a sink cold water knob 370 operably
connected to one another.
The toilet 358 can include a tank 372, a bowl 374, and a toilet drain 376
operably connected to one
another. The bathtub/shower 360 can include a tub 378, a tub drain 380, a tub
faucet 382, a tub cold
water knob 384, a tub hot water knob 386, a cold water conduit 388, and a hot
water conduit 390
operably connected to one another. The cold water conduit 388 can include a
riser 392 and a first
branch 394 extending between the riser 392 and the tub faucet 382. The tub
cold water knob 384
can be disposed along the first branch 394 and operable to control a flow of
cold water from the
cold water conduit 388 to the tub faucet 382. Similarly, the hot water conduit
390 can include a
riser 396 and a first branch 398 extending between the riser 396 and the tub
faucet 382. The tub hot
water knob 386 can be disposed along the first branch 398 and operable to
control a flow of hot
water from the hot water conduit 390 to the tub faucet 382.
[00192] The bathroom 152 can further include an electrical conduit 400, a
junction box 402
operably connected to the electrical conduit 400, a plumbing ventilation
conduit 404 disposed
between the sink 356 and the toilet 358, and a floor drain 406 disposed
between the toilet 358 and
the bathtub/shower 360. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure
9. With reference to
Figures 9 and 10 together, the bathroom 152 can include vertical gaskets 408
disposed between the
respective vertical flanges 314 and corresponding portions of the wall modules
304a, 304b.
Similarly, the bathroom 152 can include lower tab gaskets 410 disposed between
the respective
upwardly extending tabs 310 and corresponding portions of the wall modules
304.
[00193] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom 152
taken along the
line 11-11 in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 11, the bathroom 152 can include a
light fixture 412
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
attached to the wall module 304c above the sink 356. The bathroom 152 can
further include an
exhaust intake fan 414 attached to the ceiling module 302. The electrical
conduit 400 can extend
from the junction box 402 (Figure 9) to the light fixture 412, and from the
light fixture 412 to the
exhaust intake fan 414. The plumbing ventilation conduit 404 can extend along
an inner corner
between the ceiling module 302 and the wall modules 304b, 304c to the plumbing
ventilation
hookup 330 (Figure 8). The bathroom 152 can include an exhaust conduit 416
extending between
the exhaust intake fan 414 and the exhaust hookup 332 (Figure 8). Above one
end of the tub 378
(Figure 9), the bathtub/shower 360 (Figure 9) can include a showerhead 418, a
shower cold water
knob 420 operably connected to the cold water conduit 388, and a shower hot
water knob 422
operably connected to the hot water conduit 390. The cold water conduit 388
can include a second
branch 424 extending between the riser 392 and the showerhead 418. The shower
cold water knob
420 can be disposed along the second branch 424 and operable to control a flow
of cold water from
the cold water conduit 388 to the showerhead 418. Similarly, the hot water
conduit 390 can include
a second branch 426 extending between the riser 396 and the showerhead 418.
The shower hot
water knob 422 can be disposed along the second branch 426 and operable to
control a flow of hot
water from the hot water conduit 390 to the showerhead 418. The bathroom 152
can include upper
tab gaskets 428 disposed between the respective downwardly extending tabs 312
and corresponding
portions of the wall modules 304.
1001941
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 152 taken along
the line
12-12 in Figure 5. With reference to Figures 5, 6, 9 and 10 together, the
floor module 300 can
include a skirt 430 and a series of parallel spaced-apart joists 432 within
the skirt 430. The
bathroom 152 can include a main plumbing drain conduit 434 operably connected
to the main
plumbing drain hookup 335 and the toilet drain 376. The main plumbing drain
conduit 434 can
include branches 436 (individually identified as branches 436a-436d) operably
connected to the
plumbing ventilation conduit 404, the sink drain 364, the tub drain 380, and
the floor drain 406,
respectively. The main plumbing drain conduit 434 can further include a sub-
branch 438 operably
connected to the auxiliary plumbing drain hookup 342 via the branch 436b. The
branches 436c,
436d can include respective traps 440. Furthermore, the main plumbing drain
conduit 434 and the
branches 436 can include respective caps 442. The bathroom 152 can include
wheels 443 (e.g.,
swivel casters) integrated into the floor module 300. In the illustrated
embodiment, the wheels 443
are embedded within the feet 333 and accessible via inwardly facing openings
(not shown) of the
feet 333. The individual wheels 443 can be movable between a retracted state
and an extended
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
state. For example, the bathroom 152 can include posts 444 having threads (not
shown) that engage
corresponding threads (not shown) of the wheels 443 such that the wheels 443
can be rotatably
moved between the retracted and extended states. Moving the wheels 443 from
the retracted state
to the extended state can lift the bathroom 152 off a corresponding floor
surface, thereby allowing
the bathroom 152 to be conveniently moved along the floor surface.
[00195] The bathroom 152 can further include a main cold water conduit 445
and a main hot
water conduit 446 operably connected to the main cold water supply hookup 336
and the main hot
water supply hookup 338, respectively. The main cold water conduit 445 can
include branches 448
(individually identified as branches 448a, 448b) operably connected to the
sink 356 and the
bathtub/shower 360 (via the riser 392), respectively. The main cold water
conduit 445 can further
include a sub-branch 450a operably connected to the auxiliary cold water
supply hookup 344 via the
branch 448a. The main cold water conduit 445 can still further include a sub-
branch 450b operably
connected to the toilet 358 via the branch 448b. The main hot water conduit
446 can include
branches 452 (individually identified as branches 452a, 452b) operably
connected to the sink 356
and the bathtub/shower 360 (via the riser 396), respectively. The main hot
water conduit 446 can
further include a sub-branch 454 operably connected to the auxiliary hot water
supply hookup 346
via the branch 452a. The bathroom 152 can still further include a main
electrical conduit 456
operably connected to the main electrical hookup 340. The main electrical
conduit 456 can include
branches 458 (individually identified as branches 458a, 458b) operably
connected to the electrical
conduit 400 and the auxiliary electrical hookup 348, respectively.
[00196] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom 152
taken along the
line 13-13 in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 13, the bathroom 152 can include a
floor heating system
460 operably associated with the deck 354. The floor heating system 460 can
include a control box
462 operably connected to the main electrical conduit 456, and a heating cable
464 operably
connected to the control box 462. The heating cable 464 can have a serpentine
configuration and be
directly connected to an underside of the deck 354 between the joists 432.
With reference to
Figures 5-13 together, the floor drain 406, the main plumbing drain conduit
434 (e.g., including its
branches 436 and sub-branch 438), the main cold water conduit 445 (e.g.,
including its branches
448 and sub-branch 450), the main hot water conduit 446 (e.g., including its
branches 452 and sub-
branch 454), the main electrical conduit 456 (e.g., including its branches
458), the floor heating
system 460, and/or other suitable components of the bathroom 152 can be pre-
installed components
of the floor module 300. Similarly, the supply plumbing for the bathtub/shower
360 (e.g., including
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the tub faucet 382, the cold water conduit 388, the hot water conduit 390, and
the showerhead 418),
the light fixture 412, and/or other suitable components of the bathroom 152
can be pre-installed
components of the wall module 304c. These and/or other aspects of the bathroom
152 can facilitate
rapid deployment, removal, and redeployment of the bathroom 152.
[00197] Figure 14 is a front profile view of the block 108b. Figure 15 is a
cross-sectional top
plan view of the building 104b at the block 108b taken along the line B-B in
Figure 14. The
building 104b can include permanent exterior walls 480 (individually
identified as exterior walls
480a-480d), and permanent interior walls 482. Within the exterior walls 480,
the building 104b can
include interior regions 484 (individually identified as interior regions 484a-
484c). In Figure 15,
the interior regions 484 are shown in the first state. In at least some
embodiments, the interior
regions 484a-484c are purpose-built for respective uses independently selected
from a group
consisting of retail use, office use, restaurant use, industrial use,
warehouse use, storage use, garage
use, and combinations thereof The building 104b can further include building
bathrooms 486
(individually identified as building bathrooms 486a, 486b) and a utility room
488. Opening into the
building bathroom 486a, the building bathroom 486b, and the utility room 488,
respectively, the
building 104b can include interior doors 490 (individually identified as
interior doors 490a-490c).
The exterior wall 480a can be between the interior regions 484a, 484b and a
first outdoor area 492
that includes a sidewalk 494. At the exterior wall 480a, the building 104b can
include a storefront
496. The storefront 496 can be heavily fenestrated (e.g., greater than 50%
fenestrated by area), and
can include front doors 497 (individually identified as front doors 497a,
497b).
[00198] The exterior wall 480c can be between the interior region 484c and
a second outdoor
area 498 that includes a yard 500. At the exterior wall 480c, the building
104b can include a back
door 502 and an opening 504 between the interior region 484c and the second
outdoor area 498. In
at least some cases, the yard 500 is paved and/or otherwise configured to
facilitate automobile
parking. Although the exterior wall 480c in the illustrated embodiment is a
back wall, in other
embodiments a counterpart of the exterior wall 480c can be a side wall. With
reference again to
Figure 15, the opening 504 can be sized to permit loading of large items into
the building 104b
and/or passage of an automobile between the interior region 484c and the
second outdoor area 498.
For example, the opening 504 can have a width within a range from 2 to 7
meters (e.g., from 4 to 6
meters). The building 104b can further include an overhead door 506 (e.g., a
door that moves
upward to open and stows overhead in a rolled or unrolled state) movably
disposed at the opening
504. The building 104b can also include a plumbing drain trunk line 507 and a
water supply trunk
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line 508 operably associated with the building bathrooms 486. The plumbing
drain trunk line 507
and the water supply trunk line 508 can have features the same as or similar
to features of the
plumbing drain trunk line 138 and the water supply trunk line 140 of the
building 104a described
above.
[00199] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building 104b
taken along the line
B-B in Figure 14 and showing a cluster of lodging units 510 (individually
identified as lodging units
510a, 510b) of the hotel 102. The lodging units 510a, 510b can include the
interior regions 484a,
484b, respectively, in the second state. The interior regions 484 and the
lodging units 510 can have
features the same as or similar to the features of the interior region 114 and
the lodging unit 150
described above. As shown in Figure 16, the lodging units 510a, 510b can
respectively include
bathrooms 512 (individually identified as bathrooms 512a, 512b) disposed
(e.g., removably
disposed) within the building 104b. The bathrooms 512 can have features the
same as or similar to
the features of the bathroom 152 described above. The cluster of lodging units
510 can further
include retrofitted support systems 513 having features the same as or similar
to the features of the
retrofitted support systems described above for the lodging unit 150. The
retrofitted support
systems 513 can include retrofitted ventilation lines, retrofitted exhaust
lines, and a retrofitted
exhaust filter, which are not shown for clarity of illustration. Among other
furnishings, the lodging
units 510 can include climate-control units 514 (e.g., supplemental heaters)
operably connected to
the retrofitted support systems 513.
1002001 The cluster of lodging units 510 can further include a
compartmentalizing assembly
515. The interior regions 484a, 484b can be respectively located within
compartments 516
(individually identified as compartments 516a, 516b) at least partially
defined by the
compartmentalizing assembly 515. The compartmentalizing assembly 515 can
include wall
components 518 disposed at perimeter portions of the compartments 516. The
wall components
518 and/or other suitable components of the compartmentalizing assembly 515
can be reusable and
removably disposed within the building 104b. For example, the
compartmentalizing assembly 515
can be made up mostly or entirely of reusable modular components. In at least
some embodiments,
the wall components 518 are stacked and/or interlocking within the
compartmentalizing assembly
515.
[002011 Figure 17 is top plan view of a set of wall components 530 in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology. The set 530 can include wall components
of different types
532 (individually identified as types 532a-532t). Some or all of the wall
component types 532
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shown in Figure 17 can be used together to make compartmentalizing assemblies
in accordance
with embodiments of the present technology, such as the compartmentalizing
assembly 515 shown
in Figure 16. With reference to Figures 16 and 17 together, the wall
components 518 can be of the
type 532a in staggered rows of the compartmentalizing assembly 515. At
portions of the
compartmentalizing assembly 515 closest to the storefront 496 and the exterior
walls 480b, 480d,
the wall components 518 can be of the type 532b at every other row of the
compartmentalizing
assembly 515 between wall components 518 of the type 532a. In at least some
embodiments, the
wall components 518 of the type 532a have rectangular footprints with aspect
ratios of 2:1. In these
and other embodiments, the wall components 518 of the type 532b can have
square footprints.
Thus, when seams between the wall components 518 of the type 532a are evenly
staggered row-to-
row, the wall components 518 of the type 532b can cap the short rows, thereby
giving the
compartmentalizing assembly 515 vertical end portions at or near the
storefront 496 and the exterior
walls 480b, 480d. Similarly, the wall components 518 can be of the types 532c,
532d in
alternatingly stacked rows at a T-shaped intersection of the
compartmentalizing assembly 515. In
other embodiments, counterpart compartmentalizing assemblies can include wall
components of the
types 532e, 532f in alternatingly stacked rows to form L-shaped intersections.
Similarly,
counterpart compartmentalizing assemblies can include full-size and reduced-
size cross-shaped wall
components in alternatingly stacked rows to form cross-shaped intersections.
[00202]
Figure 18 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 16. Figure 19 is a cross-
sectional
exterior side profile view of a portion of the cluster of lodging units 510
corresponding to the
portion of Figure 16 shown in Figure 18. With reference to Figures 16, 18 and
19 together, the
building 104b can have a finished floor surface 540 over which the wall
components 518 are
removably disposed, a finished wall surface 542 beside which the wall
components 518 are
removably disposed, and a finished ceiling surface 544 below which the wall
components 518 are
removably disposed. The compartmentalizing assembly 515 can include a liner
546 disposed (e.g.,
removably or permanently disposed) on the finished floor surface 540 below the
wall components
518. For example, the liner 546 can be adhesively connected to the finished
floor surface 540. The
liner 546 can be useful, for example, to protect the finished floor surface
540 from other
components of the compartmentalizing assembly 515, to facilitate layout the
compartmentalizing
assembly 515, to reduce or eliminate the possibility of shifting of the
compartmentalizing assembly
515, and/or for other purposes. Suitable materials for the liner 546 include
spray-and-peel coatings,
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
strips of peel-and-stick house wrap, and strips of peel-and-stick roof
underlayment, among other
examples. The liner 546 can be disposable or reusable.
[00203] In at least some embodiments, the compartmentalizing assembly 515
includes
additional components that facilitate compatibility between the wall
components 518 and the
building 104b when the wall components 518 have standard dimensions and the
building 104b has
irregular dimensions. For example, the compartmentalizing assembly 515 can
include a mass of
self-leveling material 548 (e.g., a disposable mass of hardened self-leveling
grout) under the wall
components 518 and over the liner 546. The mass of self-leveling material 548
can be molded and,
in at least some cases, is integrally formed along most or all of an overall
footprint of the
compartmentalizing assembly 515. During formation of the mass of self-leveling
material 548, the
constituent self-leveling material can be of sufficiently low viscosity to
level itself by gravity.
Thus, the mass of self-leveling material 548 can automatically conform to
slopes, dips, and other
irregularities in the finished floor surface 540. When at least partially
cured, the mass of self-
leveling material 548 can provide the compartmentalizing assembly 515 with a
reliably level
surface that facilitates vertical stacking of the wall components 518.
[00204] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the compartmentalizing assembly 515
can include
compressible batting 550 disposed (e.g., stuffed) into a vertical gap between
the wall components
518 and the finished wall surface 542 and disposed (e.g., stuffed) into a
horizontal gap between the
wall components 518 and the finished ceiling surface 544. In at least some
embodiments, the
batting 550 is reusable. Furthermore, the batting 550 can be non-combustible.
For example, the
batting 550 can be reusable bundles of lined or unlined mineral wool
insulation. At its interior side,
the compartmentalizing assembly 515 can include molding panels 551 that hide
the batting 550.
The molding panels 551 can be attached to the wall components 518
magnetically, adhesively,
mechanically, or in another suitable manner. In some embodiments, the overall
compartmentalizing
assembly 515 is self-supporting, free-standing, and has a fire rating of at
least two hours. In other
embodiments, the overall compartmentalizing assembly 515 can have only some or
none of these
attributes. As shown in Figure 19, some of the wall components 518 can be
configured to allow
passage of retrofitted utility lines. For example, the compartmentalizing
assembly 515 can include
ports 552 (individually identified as ports 552a-552g). The retrofitted
support systems 513 can
include electrical lines 554 (individually identified as electrical lines
554a, 554b) extending through
the ports 552a, 552e, respectively; water supply lines 556 (individually
identified as water supply
lines 556a, 556b) extending through the ports 552b, 552c, respectively; a
plumbing drain line 558
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
extending through the port 552d; a plumbing ventilation line 560 extending
through the port 552f;
and an exhaust vent line 562 extending through the port 552g.
[00205] Figure 20 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 19. As shown
in Figure 20, the
wall components 518 can be stacked within the compartmentalizing assembly 515.
Furthermore,
the wall components 518 can be interlocking within the compartmentalizing
assembly 515. For
example, the individual wall components 518 can include downwardly extending
flanges 570 that
are received within successively lower wall components 518. At the mass of
self-leveling material
548, the compartmentalizing assembly 515 can include base blocks 572
configured to receive the
flanges 570 of the wall components 518 within a lowest row of wall components
518 within the
compartmentalizing assembly 515. When fully assembled, the compartmentalizing
assembly 515
can be strong enough to support fixtures and accessories (e.g., electrical
conduits, monitors,
shelving, moldings, artwork, furniture supports, etc.). In at least some
embodiments, exposed
portions of the wall components 518 are at least partially made of ferrous
metal such that suitable
fixtures and accessories can be connected to the compartmentalizing assembly
515 magnetically. In
addition or alternatively, the wall components 518 can include coupling
components 574 that allow
suitable fixtures and accessories to be connected to the compartmentalizing
assembly 515
mechanically and/or by gravity.
[00206] Figure 21 is side profile view of a given one of the wall
components 518 of the type
532a (Figure 17) separate from other portions of the compartmentalizing
assembly 515. Figure 22
is a cross-sectional top plan view of the given wall component 518 taken along
the line 22-22 in
Figure 21. Figure 23 is a cross-sectional end plan view of the given wall
component 518 taken
along the line 23-23 in Figure 21. In at least some embodiments, other (e.g.,
most or all) of the wall
components 518 of the type 532a within the compartmentalizing assembly 515 at
least substantially
match the given wall component 518 illustrated in Figures 21-23. With
reference to Figures 21-23
together, the given wall component 518 can include a first side panel 580 and
an opposite second
side panel 582 parallel to and spaced apart from the first side panel 580.
Similarly, the given wall
component 518 can include a first end panel 584 and an opposite second end
panel 586 parallel to
and spaced apart from the first end panel 584. The first and second side
panels 580, 582 and the
first and second end panels 584, 586 can define an interior region of the
given wall component 518
shaped, for example, as a rectangular solid. The given wall component 518 can
include two of the
flanges 570 at the first side panel 580 and another two of the flanges 570 at
the second side panel
582. As shown in Figure 23, the flanges 570 can be parallel to and inset
relative to the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
corresponding first and second side panels 580, 582. Between the flanges 570
at the first side panel
580 and between the flanges 570 at the second side panel 582, the given wall
component 518 can
include respective slots 588.
[00207] When the given wall component 518 is assembled with other wall
components 518 of
the type 532a within the compartmentalizing assembly 515, one of the flanges
570 at the first side
panel 580 and an opposing one of the flanges 570 at the second side panel 582
can be received
within the interior region of a first neighboring lower wall component 518.
Similarly, the other of
the flanges 570 at the first side panel 580 and the other of the flanges 570
at the second side panel
582 can be received within the interior region of a second neighboring lower
wall component 518
adjacent to the first neighboring lower wall component 518. The second end
panel 586 of the first
neighboring lower wall component 518 and the first end panel 584 of the second
neighboring lower
wall component 518 can be directly adjacent to one another and received within
the slots 588 of the
given wall component 518. This interaction between the wall components 518 can
facilitate
convenient assembly of the compartmentalizing assembly 515 with neighboring
rows of the wall
components 518 evenly staggered.
[00208] In at least some embodiments, the given wall component 518 is rigid
and the first and
second side panels 580, 582 and the first and second end panels 584, 586
provide the given wall
component 518 with most or all of its rigidity. In the illustrated embodiment,
the first and second
side panels 580, 582 are thinner than the first and second end panels 584, 586
and made of a
different material. For example, the first and second side panels 580, 582 can
be metal (e.g., iron)
and the first and second end panels 584, 586 can be cementitious (e.g., fiber-
reinforced cement).
The metal composition of the first and second side panels 580, 582 can be
useful, for example, for
aesthetics, to facilitate magnetic coupling of fixtures and accessories to the
compartmentalizing
assembly 515, and/or for another reason. The cementitious composition of the
first and second end
panels 584, 586 can be useful, for example, to increase the fire rating of the
compartmentalizing
assembly 515, to reduce noise transmission through the compartmentalizing
assembly 515, and/or
for another reason. In other embodiments, the first and second side panels
580, 582 and the first
and second end panels 584, 586 can have other suitable forms and/or
compositions.
[00209] The given wall component 518 can further include compressible
batting 590 disposed
within its interior region. Similar to the batting 550 described above, the
batting 590 can be
reusable and/or non-combustible. For example, the batting 590 can be reusable
bundles of lined or
unlined mineral wool insulation. In at least some embodiments, the batting 590
is removable.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
Furthermore, the first and second side panels 580, 582 and the first and
second end panels 584, 586
can be collapsible. For example, at corners where the first and second side
panels 580, 582 and the
first and second end panels 584, 586 meet, the given wall component 518 can
include hinges (not
shown), such as flexure bearings or piano hinges that allow each corner to
fold in a direction that
causes the first and second side panels 580, 582 and the first and second end
panels 584, 586 to
flatten. This feature along with the compressibility of the batting 590 can
facilitate efficient storage
and transport of the given wall component 518 between deployments. When the
first and second
side panels 580, 582 and the first and second end panels 584, 586 are
collapsible, the given wall
component 518 can include a rectangular inset (not shown) that rests on upper
edges of the flanges
570. The inset can be removably disposed within the interior of the given wall
component 518 to
cause the given wall component 518 to maintain its rectangular form during
use. When the first and
second side panels 580, 582 and the first and second end panels 584, 586 are
to be collapsed, the
inset can be removed.
[00210] Figure 24 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 23. As shown
in Figure 24, a
lowermost portion of the first side panel 580 can overlap an uppermost portion
of one the flanges
570. Figure 24 further illustrates a given one of the coupling components 574
at the lowermost
portion of the first side panel 580. In at least some embodiments, other
(e.g., most or all) of the
coupling components 574 of wall components 518 within the compartmentalizing
assembly 515 at
least substantially match the coupling component 574 illustrated in Figure 24.
The coupling
component 574 can include a notch 600 and a plug 602 removably disposed within
the notch 600.
The plug 602 can include a magnet 604 that releasably connects the plug 602 to
the uppermost
portion of the adjacent flange 570. The plug 602 can be disposed within the
notch 600 when the
coupling component 574 is not in use. Removing the plug 602 from the notch 600
can expose an
opening into the interior of the given wall component 518. A hook or other
suitable mechanical
fastener (not shown) can be inserted into this opening. In this way,
relatively heavy fixtures and
accessories can be connected to the compartmentalizing assembly 515 through a
reliable
mechanical connection in addition to or instead of a magnetic connection.
[00211] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building 104b
taken along the line
B-B in Figure 14 and showing a cluster of lodging units 640 (individually
identified as lodging units
640a-640c) of a hotel in accordance with another embodiment of the present
technology. The
lodging units 640a-640c can include the interior regions 484a-484c (Figure
15), respectively, in the
second state. The lodging units 640 can have features the same as or similar
to the features of the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
lodging units 150, 510 described above. As shown in Figure 25, the lodging
units 640a-640c can
respectively include bathrooms 642 (individually identified as bathrooms 642a-
642c) disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) within the building 104b. The bathrooms 642 can have
features the same as or
similar to the features of the bathroom 152, 512 described above. The cluster
of lodging units 640
can further include retrofitted support systems 644 having features the same
as or similar to the
features of the retrofitted support systems 513 of the lodging units 510 and
the retrofitted support
systems described above for the lodging units 150.
[00212] As shown in Figure 25, the retrofitted support systems 644 can
include an above-floor
sewage detention tank 646, an above-floor water reservoir 648, and a battery
650 through which the
lodging units 640 are operably connected to sewage, water, and electrical
systems of the building
104b, respectively. The retrofitted support systems 644 can further include a
water heater 651
operably connected to the above-floor water reservoir 648. In at least some
cases, the above-floor
sewage detention tank 646, the above-floor water reservoir 648, the battery
650, and the water
heater 651 are reusable and removably disposed within the building 104b. The
retrofitted support
systems 644 can further include a compressor 652 and above-floor refrigerant
lines 654 through
which climate-control units 514 of the lodging units 640 are operably
connected to the compressor
652. The above-floor refrigerant lines 654 can be reusable and removably
disposed within the
building 104b. The compressor 652 can be reusable and removably disposed
outside the building
104b. The retrofitted support systems 644 can still further include
retrofitted ventilation lines,
retrofitted exhaust lines, and a retrofitted exhaust filter, which are not
shown for clarity of
illustration.
[00213] The cluster of lodging units 640 can further include an additional
compartmentalizing
assembly 656. The interior region 484c can be located within an additional
compartment 658 at
least partially defined by the additional compartmentalizing assembly 656. The
additional
compartmentalizing assembly 656 can have features the same as or similar to
the features of the
compartmentalizing assembly 515 of the cluster of lodging units 510 described
above. As shown in
Figure 25, the additional compartment 658 is near the opening 504. The lodging
unit 640c can
include a barrier 660 disposed between the interior region 484c and the second
outdoor area 498.
For example, a primary egress path from the interior region 484c to the second
outdoor area 498 can
extend through the opening 504 and through the barrier 660. Furthermore, the
barrier 660 can be
stationarily disposed between the interior region 484c and the second outdoor
area 498. For
example, unlike the overhead door 506, which is configured to move on a
regular basis during
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
normal operation of the interior region 484c in the first state, the barrier
660 can be configured to
remain at least substantially stationary during normal operation of the
lodging unit 640c.
[00214] Figure 26 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 25. Figure 27
is a cross-sectional
exterior side profile view of a portion of the cluster of lodging units 640
corresponding to the
portion of Figure 25 shown in Figure 26. With reference to Figures 25-27
together, the barrier 660
can be fenestrated and can include windows 662 that allow natural light to
enter the interior region
484c from the second outdoor area 498. The barrier 660 can further include a
door 664. The barrier
660 can be reusable and removably disposed between the interior region 484c
and the second
outdoor area 498. For example, the barrier 660 can be configured to be
installed with little or no
need for heavy construction and removed with little or no need for heavy
demolition. Furthermore,
the barrier 660 can be configured to be conveniently transported and reused
after its removal. In the
illustrated embodiment, the barrier 660 is rigid, portable, and configured for
rapid deployment into
and removal from operable association with the interior region 484c without
significant
disassembly. This deployment and removal can occur by forklift, by dolly, by
operation of wheels
(not shown) integrated into the barrier 660, or in another manner. In other
embodiments, a
counterpart of the barrier 660 can be an assembly of reusable barrier modules
configured for rapid
deployment into and removal from between the interior region 484c and the
second outdoor area
498 in an at least partially disassembled state. For example, a counterpart of
the barrier 660 can be
made up mostly or entirely of reusable modular components.
[00215] With reference again to Figures 25-27, the barrier 660 can be
removably fastened to
the exterior wall 480c. For example, the barrier 660 can be removably bolted
to the exterior wall
480c. Alternatively, a counterpart of the barrier 660 can be removably screwed
to the exterior wall
480c, removably clamped to the exterior wall 480c, and/or removably fastened
to the exterior wall
480c in another manner in addition to or instead of being removably bolted to
the exterior wall
480c. As yet another alternative, a counterpart of the barrier 660 can be
permanently installed at the
exterior wall 480c. As shown in Figure 27, the barrier 660 can include a frame
666 and a gasket
668 disposed between the frame 666 and the exterior wall 480c. The gasket 668
can be
compressible such that it conforms to irregularities in the exterior wall 480c
and thereby enhances a
weather resistance of a connection between the barrier 660 and the exterior
wall 480c. The barrier
660 can further include bolts 670 that extend through the frame 666, through
the gasket 668, and
through the exterior wall 480c. At an inside surface of the exterior wall
480c, the barrier 660 can
include furring strips 672 through which the bolts 670 also extend, and nuts
674 operably connected
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
to the bolts 670 and bearing on the furring strips 672. The barrier 660 can
further include a mass of
self-leveling material 676 having features the same as or similar to features
of the mass of self-
leveling material 548 described above. The self-leveling material 676 can be
integrally formed
along most or all of an overall footprint of the barrier 660.
[00216] In the illustrated embodiment, the barrier 660 is an overlay that
covers the opening 504
at an exterior side of the exterior wall 480c. In other embodiments, the
barrier 660 can have another
form and/or position relative to the opening 504. For example, rather than
being disposed at the
exterior side of the exterior wall 480c, a counterpart of the barrier 660 can
be disposed at an interior
side of the exterior wall 480c. As another example, rather than overlying the
opening 504, the
barrier 660 can be inset within the opening 504. As shown in Figure 27, in the
illustrated
embodiment, the overhead door 506 is stowed within the interior region 484c in
an open state. For
example, a door track (not shown) associated with the overhead door 506 can
remain in place after
the interior region 484c is retrofitted for lodging use. A motor (not shown)
operably associated with
the overhead door 506 can be temporarily disabled so that the overhead door
506 remains out-of-
service during operation of the lodging unit 510c. Leaving the overhead door
506, the door track,
and the motor in place after the interior region 484c is retrofitted for an
alternative use can be
useful, for example, to reduce an investment necessary to return the interior
region 484c its purpose-
built use, as needed. In other embodiments, the overhead door 506, the door
track, and/or the motor
can be removed when the interior region 484c is retrofitted for lodging use.
In still other
embodiments, a counterpart of the overhead door 506 can be retrofitted with
windows and/or a
doorway. In these embodiments, the counterpart of the overhead door 506 can
take the place of the
barrier 660.
1002171 In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 25, the cluster of lodging
units 640 is tethered
to the building bathroom 486a and the utility room 488. The cluster of lodging
units 640, therefore,
can be on-grid (i.e., dependent on service connections to local utilities
serving the building 104b).
In other embodiments, a counterpart of the cluster of lodging unit 640 can be
configured to operate
at least substantially off-grid (i.e., independent of service connections to
local utilities serving the
building 104b). One example of such a cluster of lodging units is shown in
Figure 28. In particular,
Figure 28 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the building 104b taken along
the line B-B in Figure
14 and showing a cluster of lodging units 678 (individually identified as
lodging units 678a-678c)
of a hotel in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology.
The lodging units
678a-678c can include the interior regions 484a-484c (Figure 15),
respectively, in the second state.
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The lodging units 678 can have features the same as or similar to the features
of the lodging units
150, 510, 640 described above. For example, the cluster of lodging units 678
can include retrofitted
support systems 680 similar to the retrofitted support systems 644 described
above in the context of
the cluster of lodging units 640.
[00218] As shown in Figure 28, the retrofitted support systems 680 can
include hookups 682
(individually identified as hookups 682a-682c) through which the battery 650,
the above-floor water
reservoir 648, and the above-floor sewage detention tank 646 of the
retrofitted support systems 680
can be respectively serviced. For example, the battery 650 of the cluster of
lodging units 678 can be
configured for occasional recharging from a mobile recharging station (not
shown) via the hookup
682a. As another example, the above-floor water reservoir 648 of the cluster
of lodging units 678
can be configured for occasional replenishment from a mobile tanker (e.g., a
water supply truck) via
the hookup 682b. As yet another example, the above-floor sewage detention tank
646 of the cluster
of lodging units 678 can be configured for occasional evacuation into a mobile
tanker (e.g., a septic
system pump truck) via the hookup 682c. Having all or a portion of the
retrofitted support systems
680 be off-grid can be useful, for example, to avoid costs and complications
associated with utility
hookups, to reduce the environmental impact of the lodging units 678, to
facilitate efficient
management of the lodging units 678, to reduce costs associated with
maintaining the lodging units
678 during periods of nonuse or low use, and/or for other reasons.
[00219] Figure 29 is a front profile view of the block 108c. Figure 30 is a
cross-sectional top
plan view of the buildings 104c, 104d at the block 108c taken along the line C-
C in Figure 29. The
building 104c can include permanent exterior walls 700 (individually
identified as exterior walls
700a-700d). Similarly, the building 104d can include permanent exterior walls
702 (individually
identified as exterior walls 702a-702d). Within the exterior walls 700, the
building 104c can
include interior regions 704 (individually identified as interior regions 704a-
704c). Similarly,
within the exterior walls 702, the building 104d can include interior regions
706 (individually
identified as interior regions 706a, 706b). In Figure 30, the interior regions
704, 706 are shown in
the first state. In at least some embodiments, the interior regions 704, 706
are purpose-built for
respective uses independently selected from the group consisting of retail
use, office use, restaurant
use, industrial use, warehouse use, storage use, garage use, and combinations
thereof. The exterior
wall 700b can be between the interior regions 704 and an intra-block paved
area 708. Similarly, the
exterior wall 702d can be between the interior regions 706 and the intra-block
paved area 708. At
the exterior wall 702d, the building 104d can include an opening 710 between
the interior region
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706a and the intra-block paved area 708. The opening 710 can have features
similar to or the same
as features of the opening 504 described above.
[00220]
Figure 31 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the buildings 104c, 104d taken
along the
line C-C in Figure 29 and showing a cluster of lodging units 720 (individually
identified as lodging
units 720a-720c) and another cluster of lodging units 722 (individually
identified as lodging units
722a, 722b) of the hotel 102. The lodging units 720a-720c can include the
interior regions 704a-
704c, respectively, in the second state. The lodging units 722a, 722b can
include the interior
regions 706a, 706b, respectively, in the second state. The interior regions
704, 706 and the lodging
units 720, 722 can have features the same as or similar to the features of the
interior regions 114,
484 and the lodging units 150, 510, 640, 678 described above. As shown in
Figure 31, the cluster
of lodging units 720 can include retrofitted courtyards 724 (individually
identified as courtyards
724a-724c) at a portion of the intra-block paved area 708 closest to the
building 104c. Similarly,
the cluster of lodging units 722 can include a retrofitted courtyard 726 at a
portion of the intra-block
paved area 708 closest to the building 104d.
[00221] The
cluster of lodging units 720 can include an exterior enclosure 728 at least
partially
defining the courtyards 724. Similarly, the cluster of lodging units 722 can
include an exterior
enclosure 730 at least partially defining the courtyard 726. In the
illustrated embodiment, the
courtyards 724, 726 are open air. In other embodiments, all or a portion of
counterparts of the
courtyards 724, 726 can have a roof (e.g., to define a solarium). As shown in
Figure 31, the exterior
enclosures 728, 730 can include exterior wall components 732 and gates 734
disposed at perimeter
portions of the courtyards 724, 726. The exterior enclosures 728, 730 can have
features similar to
or the same as features of the compartmentalizing assembly 515 described
above. For example, the
exterior wall components 732 can be the same as or similar to the wall
components 518 described
above. In at least some cases, the exterior wall components 732 are planters
that support vegetation
(not shown). For example, the exterior wall components 732 can internally
support root systems
(not shown) of the vegetation. Thus, the exterior enclosures 728, 730 can
include living walls.
[00222]
Figure 32 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the buildings 104c, 104d taken
along the
line 32-32 in Figure 29. Figure 33 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure
32. Figure 34 is a
cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a portion of the cluster of
lodging units 720
corresponding to the portion of Figure 32 shown in Figure 33. With reference
to Figures 29-34
together, the cluster of lodging units 720 can include a compartmentalizing
assembly 736, and the
cluster of lodging units 722 can include a compartmentalizing assembly 738.
The
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compartmentalizing assemblies 736, 738 can have features the same as or
similar to features of the
compartmentalizing assemblies 515, 656 described above. The compartmentalizing
assemblies 736,
738 can include reusable interior wall components 740 and reusable interior
ceiling components 742
removably disposed within the buildings 104c, 104d. For example, the
compartmentalizing
assemblies 736, 738 can include rigid ceiling panels 744 and elongate ceiling
beams 746
interspersed between the ceiling panels 744.
[00223] The ceiling beams 746 can support the ceiling panels 744, and the
interior wall
components 740 can support the ceiling beams 746. The interior wall components
740 can be
assembled into walls, columns, or other suitable structures that extend
between the ceiling beams
746 and finished floor surfaces of the buildings 104c, 104d. For example, the
compartmentalizing
assembly 736 can include a wall 748 parallel to and spaced apart from the
exterior wall 700c, and a
series of columns (not shown) abutting an interior surface of the exterior
wall 700c. The ceiling
beams 746 can extend between the wall 748 and the columns. When a distance
between the wall
748 and the columns does not correspond to a multiple of the length of the
ceiling panels 744, and
in other cases, the ceiling panels 744 and the ceiling beams 746 can be
cantilevered over the wall
748. As shown in Figure 34, the individual ceiling beams 746 can have an 1-
shape transverse cross-
section including two channels at opposite sides of a central web. The
individual ceiling panels 744
can have side edge portions snugly received within corresponding channels of
adjacent ceiling
beams 746. Together, the ceiling panels 744 and the ceiling beams 746 can form
ceilings 750 of the
clusters of lodging units 720, 722. The ceilings 750 can be below airspaces
752 within the
buildings 104c, 104d.
[00224] Figure 35 is a front profile view of the block 108d. Figure 36 is a
cross-sectional top
plan view of the buildings 104e-104k taken along the line D-D in Figure 35.
The buildings 104e-
104k can include permanent exterior walls within which the building 104e-104k
include interior
regions 760 (individually identified as interior regions 760a-760m). In Figure
36, the interior
regions 760 are shown in the first state. In at least some embodiments, the
interior regions 760 are
purpose-built for respective uses independently selected from the group
consisting of retail use,
office use, restaurant use, industrial use, warehouse use, storage use, garage
use, and combinations
thereof. The exterior walls of the buildings 104e-104k can include back walls
between the interior
regions 760 and an alley 762 of the block 108d. In the illustrated embodiment,
the alley 762 is a
through alley. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the alley 762 can be a
blind alley. With
reference again to Figure 36, the buildings 104e-104k can be in two groups at
opposite respective
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sides of the alley 762. Within the alley 762, the block 108d can include
dumpsters 764 individually
serving one or more of the buildings 104e-104k. The buildings 104e-104k can
include back doors
766 and openings 768 similar to the back doors 132, 502 and openings 504, 710
described above.
[00225] Figure 37 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the buildings 104e-
104k taken along the
line D-D in Figure 35 and showing a cluster of lodging units 770 (individually
identified as lodging
units 770a-770m) of the hotel 102. The lodging units 770a-770m can include the
interior regions
760a-760m, respectively, in the second state. The interior regions 760 and the
lodging units 770
can have features the same as or similar to the features of the interior
regions 114, 484, 704, 706
and the lodging units 150, 510, 640, 678, 720, 722 described above. For
clarity of illustration, most
details of the lodging units 770 are not shown in Figure 37. The features of
the lodging units 770
can differ. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, many of the lodging
units 770 have
different respective sizes. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the
buildings 104g-104k
respectively include multiple lodging units 770, and the buildings 104e, 104f
respectively include
single lodging units 770. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the cluster
of lodging units 770
can have other distributions of counterparts of the lodging units 770.
[00226] As shown in Figure 37, the back walls of the buildings 104e-104k
can be retrofitted to
accommodate the lodging units 770. For example, the lodging units 770f-770h,
770j can be at the
respective existing openings 768, and the lodging units 770a-770e, 770i, 770k-
770m can be at
respective new (e.g., cut) openings 772. Other modifications of the back walls
of the buildings
104e-104k can be made to serve continuing operations within the buildings 104e-
104k other than
operations associated with the lodging units 770. For example, the back walls
can be retrofitted to
include new back doors 774. The alley 762 can be closed off to automobile
traffic to form a
common area for the cluster of lodging units 770. The cluster of lodging units
770 can include
gates 776 (individually identified as gates 776a, 776b) at opposite respective
ends of the alley 762.
The dumpsters 764 can be relocated to portion of the alley 762 outside the
gate 776a. In some
embodiments, the alley 762 is at least substantially reversibly closed off.
For example, the alley
762 can be closed off during certain hours (e.g., by closing the gates 776)
and reopened during other
hours (e.g., by opening the gates 776). In a particular embodiment, the alley
762 is at least
substantially reversibly closed off at night, and the alley 762 is reopened
during the day. In other
embodiments, the alley 762 can be at least substantially reversibly closed off
until the cluster of
lodging units 770 is decommissioned, permanently closed off, not closed off,
or managed in another
manner.
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[00227] Figure 38 is a front profile view of the block 108e. Figure 39 is a
cross-sectional top
plan view of the building 1041 taken along the line E-E in Figure 38. The
building 1041 can include
permanent exterior walls 780 (individually identified as exterior walls 780a-
780d) within which the
building 1041 includes interior regions 782 (individually identified as
interior regions 782a-782h).
In Figure 35, the interior regions 782 are shown in the first state. In at
least some embodiments, the
interior regions 782 are purpose-built for respective uses independently
selected from the group
consisting of retail use, office use, restaurant use, industrial use,
warehouse use, storage use, garage
use, and combinations thereof Figure 40 is a cross-sectional top plan view of
the building 1041
taken along the line E-E in Figure 38 and showing a cluster of lodging units
784 (individually
identified as lodging units 784a-784g) of the hotel 102. The lodging units
784a-784g can include
the interior regions 782a-782g, respectively, in the second state. The cluster
of lodging units 784
can further include an enclosed utility area 786 at the interior region 782h.
The utility area 786 can
include retrofitted systems (not shown) serving the lodging units 784. The
interior regions 782a-
782g and the lodging units 784 can have features the same as or similar to the
features of the
interior regions 114, 484, 704, 706, 760 and the lodging units 150, 510, 640,
678, 720, 722, 770
described above.
[00228] The interior regions 782 can be at a higher-than-ground-floor level
of the building
104m. The cluster of lodging units 784 can include an exterior stairway and
platform structure 788
at the exterior wall 780c. The stairway and platform structure 788 can be
reusable and removably
disposed adjacent to the exterior wall 780c. In some embodiments, the stairway
and platform
structure 788 is a portable stairway and platform unit. In other embodiments,
the stairway and
platform structure 788 is an assembly of reusable exterior stairway and
platform modules. For
example, the stairway and platform structure 788 can be made up mostly or
entirely of reusable
stairway and platform modules. In still other embodiments the stairway and
platform structure 788
can have other suitable forms. As shown in Figure 40, the cluster of lodging
units 784 can include a
corridor 790 serving the lodging units 784, and a retrofitted entry door 792
between the stairway
and platform structure 788 and the corridor 790. The retrofitted entry door
792 can be within a cut
opening 794. Alternatively or in addition, the retrofitted entry door 792 can
be at a window opening
of the building 104m retrofitted for egress use.
[00229] Figure 41 is a front profile view of the block 108g. Figure 42 is a
cross-sectional top
plan view of the building 104m at the block 108g taken along the line F-F in
Figure 41. The
building 104m can include permanent exterior walls 800 (individually
identified as exterior walls
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
800a-800d) within which the building 104m includes an interior region 802. In
Figure 42, the
interior region 802 is shown in the first state. In at least some embodiments,
the interior regions
802 is purpose-built for a use selected from the group consisting of retail
use, office use, restaurant
use, industrial use, warehouse use, storage use, garage use, and combinations
thereof. Figure 43 is a
cross-sectional top plan view of the building 104m taken along the line F-F in
Figure 41 and
showing a guest-services hub 804 of the hotel 102. The guest-services hub 804
can include the
interior region 802 in the second state. The guest-services hub 804 can be a
location at which in-
person services ancillary to lodging are provided to guests of the hotel 102.
In the illustrated
embodiment, the guest-services hub 804 includes a lobby area 806, a check-in
area 808, a
concierge/baggage check area 810, a lounge area 812, a food-service area 814,
and a logistics/office
area 816. In other embodiments, the guest-services hub 804 can have other
suitable forms.
[00230] Figures 44 and 45 are schematic diagrams illustrating a network of
hotels 830 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The network 830 can
include a first
hotel 832 and a second hotel 834. The first and second hotels 832, 834 can
have features the same
as or similar to features of the hotel 102 described above. The first hotel
832 can include a first
inventory of first lodging units 836 (individually identified as first lodging
units 836a-836f)
available for provision of lodging to guests of the first hotel 832.
Similarly, the second hotel 834
can include a second inventory of second lodging units 838 (individually
identified as second
lodging units 838a-838f) available for provision of lodging to guests of the
second hotel 834. The
first and second hotels 832, 834 can be at a first urban area 840 (e.g., a
first district of a first greater
urban area) and a second urban area 842 (e.g., a second district of a second
greater urban area),
respectively. A first center point 844 of the first urban area 840 and a
second center point 846 of
the second urban area 842 can be at least 50 miles from one another.
Alternatively, the first and
second center points 844, 846 can be closer together, such as when the first
and second urban areas
840, 842 are within the same greater urban area. Furthermore, although Figures
44 and 45 show
only the first and second hotels 832, 834, the network 830 can include more
than two hotels at
different respective urban areas.
[00231] In some embodiments, the first lodging units 836 are at least
substantially fungible
components of the corresponding inventory for fulfilling reservations for the
first hotel 832.
Similarly, the second lodging units 838 can be at least substantially fungible
components of the
corresponding inventory for fulfilling reservations for the second hotel 834.
For example, like
conventional hotel rooms, the individual first lodging units 836 among
themselves and the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
individual second lodging units 838 among themselves can be alike in
amenities, furnishings,
systems, etc. Particular ones of the first and second lodging units 836, 838
can be assigned to
guests of the first and second hotels 832, 834, respectively, after the guests
make reservations for
future stays at the first and second hotels 832, 834, respectively. This
assignment can occur at
check-in or at another suitable time at or near a time when a reserved stay
actually begins. In other
embodiments, the first lodging units 836 can be non-fungible components of the
corresponding
inventory for fulfilling reservations for the first hotel 832, and the second
lodging units 838 can be
non-fungible components of the corresponding inventory for fulfilling
reservations for the second
hotel 834. For example, like conventional peer-to-peer lodging units, the
individual first lodging
units 836 among themselves and the individual second lodging units 838 among
themselves can be
distinct in amenities, furnishings, systems, etc. Particular ones of the first
and second lodging units
836, 838 can be specifically reserved by guests of the first and second hotels
832, 834, respectively.
[00232] In
at least some embodiments, the inventories are dynamic. For example, the
constituent first lodging units 836 of the first hotel 832 and/or the
constituent second lodging units
838 of the second hotel 834 can change over time. In addition or
alternatively, the total number of
first lodging units 836 within the inventory of the first hotel 832 and/or the
total number of second
lodging units 838 within the inventory of the second hotel 834 can change over
time. These
changes in the total numbers of the first and second lodging units 836, 838
can correspond to
changing market conditions in the first and second urban areas 840, 842. For
example, change in
the total number of first lodging units 836 within the corresponding inventory
can be inversely
proportional to change in an overall non-lodging occupancy rate within the
first urban area 840.
Such change can correspond to greater availability of relatively inexpensive
urban interstices within
the first urban area 840, thereby potentially increasing the profitability of
the first lodging units 836.
As another example, change in the total number of first lodging units 836
within the corresponding
inventory can be directly proportional to change in an overall lodging
occupancy rate within the
first urban area 840. Such change can correspond to greater demand for the
first lodging units 836,
thereby also potentially increasing the profitability of the first lodging
units 836. As another
example, change in the total number of first lodging units 836 within the
corresponding inventory
can be in concert with seasonal change in an overall lodging occupancy rate
within the first urban
area 840. For example, the corresponding inventory can be sufficiently dynamic
to shrink during
seasonal periods of relatively low demand for lodging and to grow during
seasonal periods of
relatively high demand for lodging. Similar correlations can apply to the
total number of second
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
lodging units 838 in the corresponding inventory relative to changes in market
conditions in the
second urban area 842.
[00233] The total number of first lodging units 836 in the corresponding
inventory and the total
number of second lodging units 838 in the corresponding inventory can be
interrelated. For
example, capital used to form the first lodging units 836 can be reallocated
to form the second
lodging units 838 when demand for lodging at the second urban area 842 is
increasing and demand
for lodging at the first urban area 840 is decreasing. Correspondingly,
capital used to form the
second lodging units 838 can be reallocated to form the first lodging units
836 when demand for
lodging at the first urban area 840 is increasing and demand for lodging at
the second urban area
842 is decreasing. Thus, the total number of first lodging units 836 within
the corresponding
inventory can be inversely proportional to the total number of second lodging
units 838 within the
corresponding inventory and vice versa. In at least some embodiments, an
average residence time
for the first lodging units 836 within the corresponding inventory is not more
than three years (e.g.,
not more than two years or not more than one year). Similarly, an average
residence time for the
second lodging units 838 within the corresponding inventory can be not more
than three years (e.g.,
not more than two years or not more than one year).
[00234] The network 830 can further include a server 848 and a computer-
implemented
reservation system 850 separate from the server 848 (as illustrated) or stored
on the server 848. The
reservation system 850 can be operable to generate reservations for future
stays at the first and
second hotels 832, 834. As shown in Figure 44, guests 852 (individually
identified as guests 852a-
8521) having respective mobile electronic devices 854 (individually identified
as mobile electronic
devices 854a-8541) can communicate with the server 848 and with the
reservation system 850 via an
electronic network 856 (e.g., the Internet). For example, information 858 can
flow between the
server 848 and the reservation system 850, between the server 848 and the
guests 852, between the
reservation system 850 and the guests 852, and/or among the guests 852 via the
electronic network
856. The information 858 can include guest locations (e.g., from GPS
components of the electronic
devices 854), notifications, offers, etc. In at least some embodiments, the
first and second lodging
units 836, 838 are configured for unmanned check-in and/or other unmanned
operations that utilize
the information 858. The first and second lodging units 836, 838 can be
directly rentable, rentable
via a membership system (e.g., in a member-based network of lodging units),
rentable under short-
term use arrangements, and/or rentable in another suitable manner.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00235] Figure 45 schematically illustrates how the first and second
lodging units 836, 838 are
distributed in the first and second urban areas 840, 842, respectively. As
shown in Figure 45, the
first and second hotels 832, 834 can include first and second guest-services
hubs 860, 862,
respectively. The first lodging units 836 and the first guest-services hub 860
can be at respective
first buildings 864 (individually identified as first buildings 864a-864g)
dispersed among
miscellaneous other buildings 866 within the first urban area 840. Similarly,
the second lodging
units 838 and the second guest-services hub 862 can be at respective second
buildings 868
(individually identified as second buildings 868a-868g) dispersed among
miscellaneous other
buildings 870 within the second urban area 842. The first and second guest-
services hubs 860, 862
can be locations at which in-person services ancillary to lodging are provided
to guests of the first
and second hotels 832, 834, respectively.
[00236] Figure 46 is a block diagram illustrating a method 900 for
operating the network 830
in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In the method 900,
features of the
first and second hotels 832, 834 may be described using reference numbers
corresponding to
counterpart features of the hotel 102. It should be understood that the method
900, when suitable,
and/or portions of the method 900, when suitable, can be practiced with
respect to other hotels
described herein as well as with respect to hotels in accordance with other
embodiments of the
present technology. Similarly, although the method 900 may be described
primarily in the context
of the building 104b and/or the lodging units 640, it should be understood
that the method 900,
when suitable, and/or portions of the method 900, when suitable, can be
practiced with respect to
other suitable buildings and lodging units in accordance with embodiments of
the present
technology.
1002371 With reference to Figures 15, 25 and 46 together, the method 900
can include leasing
the interior regions 484 (block 902) or establishing control of the interior
regions 484 in another
manner. For example, the interior regions 484 can be leased from an owner of
the building 104b for
provision of lodging to third parties. In some cases, one or more of the
interior regions 484 is
leased or purchased separately from other interior regions within the building
104b. For example, a
leased or purchased one of the interior regions 484 may be underutilized by an
ongoing operation at
the other interior regions such that the ongoing operation is not adversely
affected to a significant
degree by losing control over the leased or purchased one of the interior
regions 484. In other
cases, all interior regions within the building 104b can be leased or
purchased together.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00238] After control of the interior regions 484 is established, the
method 900 can include
retrofitting the interior regions 484 to accommodate lodging use (block 904).
The building 104b
can be originally constructed at least 20 years before this retrofitting
occurs. In at least some
embodiments, the method 900 includes at least substantially reversibly
retrofitting the interior
regions 484 to accommodate lodging use. In these and other embodiments, it may
be economically
feasible to lease and retrofit the interior regions 484 with little or no long-
term commitment from an
owner of the building 104b. This can be due to the reusability of a
significant amount of the capital
associated with retrofitting the interior regions 484 and/or for other
reasons. Accordingly, in some
embodiments, the interior regions 484 are leased month-to-month. In other
embodiments, the
interior regions 484 can be leased under terms that allow the owner of the
building 104b to
terminate the lease with notice of less than one month. In still other
embodiments, the interior
regions 484 can be controlled by an operator of the lodging units 640 under
other lease
arrangements, under non-lease contractual arrangements (e.g., franchising),
under fee simple
ownership, or in another suitable manner.
[00239] After direct or indirect control over the interior regions 484 is
established, the method
900 can include providing lodging to guests of the hotel 102 (block 906) at
the lodging units 640.
While lodging is provided to the guests, the building 104b can be publicly
marketed for sale and/or
the interior regions 484 can be publicly marketed for a non-lodging tenancy.
In these and other
cases, lodging use of the interior regions 484 can be an interim use of the
interior regions 484
during a time when the interior regions 484 would otherwise be vacant. When
the interior regions
484 are leased or otherwise controlled separately from other portions of the
building 104b, an owner
of the building 104b can occupy or otherwise use the other portions of the
building 104b while the
interior regions 484 are used for lodging. When the interior regions 484 are
leased together with
other portions of the building 104b, an operator of the lodging units 640 can
operate the lodging
units 640 at the interior regions 484 and lease and some or all of the other
portions of the building
104b for other uses.
[00240] The method 900 can further include decommissioning the lodging
units 640 (block
908). This can reduce a total number of lodging units within an inventory of
the hotel 102.
Furthermore, decommissioning the lodging units 640 can be at least partially
in response to a
sustained increase in an overall non-lodging occupancy rate within the urban
area 100, at least
partially in response to a sustained decrease in an overall lodging occupancy
rate within the urban
area 100, and/or seasonal (e.g., in concert with a seasonal decrease in an
overall lodging occupancy
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
rate within the urban area 100). When seasonal and in other cases, the lodging
units 640 can be
commissioned and decommissioned more than once. In these and other cases,
decommissioning the
lodging units 640 can occur by attrition in conjunction with a planned sale of
the building 104b, a
planned non-lodging tenancy of the interior regions 484, or both.
Decommissioning the lodging
units 640 can include recovering capital from the lodging units 640, such as
by removing reusable
modules from the lodging units 640. Examples of reusable modules that can be
removed from the
lodging units 640 include the bathrooms 642, reusable components of the
retrofitted support
systems 644, the wall components 518, the barrier 660, the exterior wall
components 732 (Figure
31), the exterior stairway and platform structure 788 (Figure 40), and
furnishings, among others.
[00241] After the reusable modules are removed from the lodging units 640,
the method 900
can include transporting the reusable modules to another building (block 910),
such as a building in
another urban area. Some or all of the modules can be transported in a compact
state. For example,
the bathrooms 642 can be transported in a disassembled state. As another
example, the wall
components 518 can be transported in a disassembled state. Furthermore, the
first and second side
panels 580, 582 and the first and second end panels 584, 586 can be
transported in a collapsed state.
The method 900 can further include receiving the modules at the other
building. For example, at
least some of the modules can be received at the other building in an at least
substantially pre-
manufactured state. As shown in Figure 46, the method 900 can further include
commissioning
lodging units (block 912) at the building at which the modules are received.
Commissioning the
lodging units can include deploying the modules at this building.
Commissioning the new lodging
units can increase a total number of lodging units within an inventory of
another hotel affiliated
with the hotel 102, but at a different urban area. Furthermore, commissioning
the new lodging units
can be at least partially in response to a sustained decrease in an overall
non-lodging occupancy rate
within the other urban area, at least partially in response to a sustained
increase in an overall
lodging occupancy rate within the other urban area, and/or seasonal (e.g., in
concert with a seasonal
increase in an overall lodging occupancy rate within the other urban area).
[00242] Figures 47-50 are operational diagrams showing, respectively, the
spring, summer,
fall, and winter intake and migration of capital within the network 830.
Intake of modules can be
from a module source 950. Migration of modules can be among hotels in the
network 830 at
different respective urban areas. Seattle is shown in Figures 47-50 as having
higher summer
lodging occupancy rates than winter lodging occupancy rates, a general (non-
seasonal) trend toward
higher lodging occupancy rates, and a general (non-seasonal) trend toward
higher non-lodging
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
occupancy rates. This can correspond to favored incoming migration of modules
in the spring and
favored outgoing migration of modules in the fall. Portland is shown in
Figures 47-50 as having
higher summer lodging occupancy rates than winter lodging occupancy rates, a
general (non-
seasonal) trend toward higher lodging occupancy rates, and a general (non-
seasonal) trend toward
lower non-lodging occupancy rates. This can correspond to favored incoming
migration of modules
in the spring and the fall and favored intake of modules from the module
source 950 in the summer
and winter. San Francisco is shown in Figures 47-50 as having higher summer
lodging occupancy
rates than winter lodging occupancy rates, a general (non-seasonal) trend
toward lower lodging
occupancy rates, and a general (non-seasonal) trend toward higher non-lodging
occupancy rates.
This can correspond to favored outgoing migration of modules in the spring and
the fall. Los
Angeles is shown in Figures 47-50 as having higher summer lodging occupancy
rates than winter
lodging occupancy rates, a general (non-seasonal) trend toward lower lodging
occupancy rates, and
a general (non-seasonal) trend toward lower non-lodging occupancy rates. This
can correspond to
favored incoming migration of modules in the spring and favored outgoing
migration of modules in
the fall. Tucson is shown in Figures 47-50 as having lower summer lodging
occupancy rates than
winter lodging occupancy rates, a general (non-seasonal) trend toward higher
lodging occupancy
rates, and a general (non-seasonal) trend toward higher non-lodging occupancy
rates. This can
correspond to favored outgoing migration of modules in the spring and favored
incoming migration
of modules in the fall. Las Vegas is shown in Figures 47-50 as having lower
summer lodging
occupancy rates than winter lodging occupancy rates, a general (non-seasonal)
trend toward lower
lodging occupancy rates, and a general (non-seasonal) trend toward lower non-
lodging occupancy
rates. This can correspond to favored outgoing migration of modules in the
spring and favored
incoming migration of modules in the fall. Salt Lake City is shown in Figures
47-50 as having
lower summer lodging occupancy rates than winter lodging occupancy rates, a
general (non-
seasonal) trend toward lower lodging occupancy rates, and a general (non-
seasonal) trend toward
higher non-lodging occupancy rates. This can correspond to favored outgoing
migration of
modules in the spring and the fall. Phoenix is shown in Figures 47-50 as
having lower summer
lodging occupancy rates than winter lodging occupancy rates, a general (non-
seasonal) trend toward
higher lodging occupancy rates, and a general (non-seasonal) trend toward
lower non-lodging
occupancy rates. This can correspond to favored incoming migration of modules
in the spring and
the fall and favored intake of modules from the module source 950 in the
summer and winter.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00243] As a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize,
numerous permutations of
the features disclosed herein are within the scope of the present technology.
For example, a
counterpart of the exterior enclosure 728 (Figure 31) can be deployed at the
lodging unit 640c
(Figure 25). As another example, a counterpart of the compartmentalizing
assembly 515 (Figure
19) can include the ceiling components 742 (Figure 32) and be below an
airspace rather than
extending all the way to the finished ceiling surface 544 (Figure 19).
Furthermore, although
features of the present technology are described herein primarily in the
context of providing
lodging, it should be understood that the same or similar features can be
implemented in other
suitable contexts. For example, the method 900 and other aspects of the
present technology can be
practiced in the context of providing office space, residential space,
assembly space, etc. In these
and other cases, the "lodging units" referred to herein can instead be office
units, residential units,
assembly units, etc.
[00244] Also disclosed herein are examples of school spaces retrofitted for
alternative uses and
related technology. In a particular embodiment of the present technology, a
collection of rentable
units and associated structures is operated at a school building between
successive academic
sessions of a school also operated at the school building. The collection can
include components
well suited for rapid deployment, removal, and redeployment. Use of these
components can allow
revenue from operating the rentable units to exceed costs associated within
transitioning the school
building from being well suited for a school use to being well suited for an
alternative use, even
when the rentable units are only operated for relatively short periods of
time. Among various types
of real estate, school buildings are particularly well suited to accommodate
short-term alternative
uses. For example, school buildings are typically unutilized or underutilized
during summer months
when demand for lodging and certain other alternative uses tends to be high.
As another example,
school buildings typically have floor plans that include classrooms, which
tend to be well sized for
use as individual rentable units. As yet another example, school buildings
typically have large
windows at or near ground level, which tend to be well suited for use as
direct access points to
individual rentable units.
[00245] Figure 51 is a front profile view of a school building 2100 in a
first state. The first
state can be a school-use, original, unretrofitted, pre-retrofit, or similar
state. Figure 52 is a top plan
view of the school building 2100 in the first state taken along the line G-G
in Figure 51. With
reference to Figures 51 and 52 together, the school building 2100 can have a
network of permanent
walls 2102 and can include a main entrance 2104, a hallway 2106, classrooms
2108 (individually
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
identified as classrooms 2108a-2108h), school bathrooms 2110 (individually
identified as school
bathrooms 2110a, 2110b), main stairways 2112 (individually identified as main
stairways 2112a,
2112b), and an oversized room 2114 (i.e., a room within the school building
2100 having a floor
area at least twice an average individual floor area of the classrooms 2108)
at least partially defined
by the permanent walls 2102. The oversized room 2114 can be an auditorium, a
gym, a cafeteria, a
library, and/or another suitable type of room within the school building 2100.
[00246] The
illustrated school building 2100 has a first story 2116 (e.g., a ground story)
at
which a total of eight classrooms 2108 are located. The illustrated school
building 2100 also has a
second story 2118 at which additional classrooms (not shown) are located. The
main stairways
2112 operably connect the first and second stories 2116, 2118. In
other embodiments,
corresponding school buildings can have different numbers of classrooms and/or
different numbers
of stories. Furthermore, although features of the present technology may be
described herein
primarily or entirely with respect to the first story 2116 of the school
building 2100, it should be
understood that suitable features of the present technology can additionally
or alternatively be
practiced with respect to the second story 2118 of the school building 2100.
In embodiments of the
present technology practiced at the first story 2116 only, the main stairways
2112 can be closed off
from the hallway 2106 when the school building 2100 is retrofitted from a
first state to a second
state to accommodate an alternative use. In embodiments of the present
technology practiced at
both the first and second stories 2116, 2118, access to the main stairways
2112 from the hallway
2106 can be maintained after the school building 2100 is retrofitted from the
first state to the second
state.
[00247] The
school building 2100 can be associated with a school (e.g., a public or
private
elementary, middle, or high school) and can and can include facilities
appropriate for this purpose.
In at least some embodiments, the school building 2100 is purpose-built for
school use. For
example, the oversized room 2114 can be a purpose-built auditorium, gym,
cafeteria, and/or library.
The classrooms 2108, school bathrooms 2110, main stairways 2112, and oversized
room 2114 can
be adjacent to the hallway 2106. For example, the classrooms 2108, school
bathrooms 2110, and
oversized room 2114 can include respective doorway openings 2120 at the
hallway 2106. For
natural lighting, the classrooms 2108, school bathrooms 2110, main stairways
2112, and oversized
room 2114 can include respective window openings 2122 and sashes 2124 disposed
(e.g., hingedly
or slidably disposed) at the respective window openings 2122. The window
openings 2122 can be
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
double-hung window openings or another type of window opening from which the
sashes 2124 are
readily removable.
[00248] The classrooms 2108, school bathrooms 2110, and oversized room 2114
can include
doors 2126 disposed (e.g., hingedly or slidably disposed) at the corresponding
doorway openings
2120. When the school building 2100 is in the first state, the classrooms
2108, the oversized room
2114, and the school bathrooms 2110 can be directly accessible from the
hallway 2106 through the
corresponding doorway openings 2120. Furthermore, the main entrance 2104 can
be operably
connected to the hallway 2106 such that the classrooms 2108, school bathrooms
2110, main
stairways 2112, and oversized room 2114 are accessible from the main entrance
2104 via the
hallway 2106. As discussed below, in some embodiments, the classrooms 2108 and
the oversized
room 2114 remain accessible from the hallway 2106 after the school building
2100 is retrofitted to
the second state. In other embodiments, the classrooms 2108 and/or the
oversized room 2114 can
be made inaccessible from the hallway 2106 after the school building 2100 is
retrofitted to the
second state.
[00249] As shown in Figure 52, school desks 2128 and school chairs 2130 can
be removably
disposed within the classrooms 2108 in arrangements suitable for accommodating
students during
classroom instruction. The oversized room 2114 can include a stage 2132 and a
large open area
2134 in front of the stage 2132. The school bathrooms 2110 can include toilets
2136 (e.g., two or
more toilets 2136), sinks 2138 (e.g., two or more sinks 2138), and a stall
assembly 2140 operably
associated with the toilets 2136. The school building 2100 can include a
plumbing drain trunk line
2142 and a water supply trunk line 2144 operably associated with the school
bathroom 2110a. The
plumbing drain trunk line 2142 can follow a drainage route from the school
bathroom 2110a toward
a sewage destination (e.g., a municipal sewer) (not shown). Similarly, the
water supply trunk line
2144 can follow a supply route from a water source (e.g., a municipal water
source) (not shown)
toward the school bathroom 2110a. The plumbing drain trunk line 2142 can be
below-ground, such
as positioned below a ground surface outside the school building 2100 along
the drainage route. In
addition or alternatively, the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 can be below-
floor, such as positioned
below a finished floor surface of the school building 2100 along the drainage
route (e.g., at a
portion of the drainage route under the school bathroom 2110a). Similarly, the
water supply trunk
line 2144 can be below-ground, such as positioned below a ground surface
outside the school
building 2100 along the supply route. In addition or alternatively, the water
supply trunk line 2144
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
can be below-floor, such as positioned below a finished floor surface of the
school building 2100
along the supply route (e.g., at a portion of the supply route under the
school bathroom 2110a).
[00250] The plumbing drain trunk line 2142 and/or the water supply trunk
line 2144 can be
buried or otherwise permanently installed within a basement, a crawlspace, a
chase, a foundation, a
volume of dirt, or another suitable environment directly below the school
bathroom 2110a and/or
directly below an area around the school bathroom 2110a. Furthermore, the
plumbing drain trunk
line 2142 can be sloped to convey liquid waste (e.g., sewage) from the school
bathroom 2110a
toward the sewage destination at least partially by gravity. The water supply
trunk line 2144 can be
configured to convey potable water from the water source to the school
bathroom 2110a under
pressure. In at least some cases, the school building 2100 includes a school
water heater (not
shown) operably associated with the water supply trunk line 2144. In these
cases, the water supply
trunk line 2144 can bifurcate into branches (not shown) that supply cold and
hot water, respectively,
to the school bathroom 2110a, such as at the sinks 2138. The school water
heater can be operably
associated with a branch of the water supply trunk line 2144 that supplies hot
water to the school
bathroom 2110a.
[00251] Figure 53 is a top plan view of a collection of rentable units and
associated structures
2200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology at the school
building 2100 in a
second state taken along the line G-G in Figure 51. The second state can be an
alternative-use, non-
original, retrofitted, post-retrofit, or similar state. With reference to
Figures 51-53 together, the
school building 2100 and portions thereof (e.g., the hallway 2106, the
classrooms 2108, the school
bathrooms 2110, and the oversized room 2114) can be retrofitted (e.g., at
least substantially
reversibly retrofitted) from the first state to the second state to
accommodate the collection 2200.
This retrofitting can occur well after (e.g., at least 20 years after) the
school building 2100 was
originally constructed. The collection 2200 can include retrofits (e.g., at
least substantially
reversible retrofits) to the school building 2100 that change the school
building 2100 from being
well suited for a school use to being well suited for an alternative use. In
at least some cases,
reversal of all or a portion of these retrofits returns the school building
2100 from being well suited
for the alternative use to again being well suited for the school use. The
school use can occur
during successive academic sessions of the school associated with the school
building 2100. The
alternative use can occur during a recess (e.g., a summer recess) between the
successive academic
sessions. For example, the recess can be one of a series of recesses and the
collection 2200 can
reoccur to accommodate the same or different alternative uses in concert with
the series of recesses.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
The collection 2200 can be an annually reoccurring collection. Furthermore,
the collection 2200
can have a duration of between 5 and 15 weeks between the successive academic
sessions of the
school.
[00252] In at least some cases, retrofits to the school building 2100 that
support only the
alternative use and do not interfere significantly with the school use are
permanent, whereas
retrofits to the school building 2100 that support only the alternative use
and would interfere
significantly with the school use are reversible. Examples of reversible
retrofits include removing,
installing, and relocating furniture and fixtures with little or no associated
demolition of the
permanent walls 2102 or other permanent fabric of the school building 2100.
The school building
2100 can be substantially reversibly retrofitted to accommodate the collection
2200. For example, a
total cost of reversible retrofits to the school building 2100 for a given
transformation of the school
building 2100 from being well suited for a school use to being well suited for
an alternative use can
be greater (e.g., at least 50% greater or at least 100% greater) than a total
cost of permanent retrofits
to the school building 2100 for the given transformation. Capital associated
with the alternative use
can be readily re-deployable during the school use. In some cases, the
alternative use and the
collection 2200 are active for less than four months, such as less than three
months (e.g., between
two and three months) between successive transformations of the school
building 2100. In other
cases, the alternative use and the collection 2200 can have longer durations.
[00253] As shown in Figure 53, the collection 2200 can include a first
rentable unit 2202
encompassing at least a portion of the classroom 2108a, and a second rentable
unit 2204
encompassing at least a portion of the classroom 2108b. Within the oversized
room 2114, the
collection 2200 can include a compartmentalizing assembly 2206 defining a
first compartment 2208
and a second compartment 2210. The collection 2200 can further include a third
rentable unit 2212
encompassing at least a portion of the first compartment 2208, a fourth
rentable unit 2214
encompassing at least a portion of the second compartment 2210, and additional
rentable units 2215
encompassing at least portions of the classrooms 2108c-2108h, respectively.
Additional features of
the illustrated embodiment will now be described at least primarily with
regard to the first, second,
and third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212. It should be understood that the
same or similar features
can be present in the fourth rentable unit 2214 and the additional rentable
units 2215 unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, features of other illustrated
embodiments may be
described at least primarily with respect to counterparts of the first,
second, and third rentable units
2202, 2204, 2212 with the understanding that the same or similar features can
be present in
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
corresponding counterparts of the fourth rentable unit 2214 and corresponding
counterparts of the
additional rentable units 2215 unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[00254] The first, second, and third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212 can
include respective
bathrooms 2216 (individually identified as bathrooms 2216a-2216c) disposed
(e.g., removably
disposed) in operable association with the classrooms 2108a, 2108b, and the
first compartment
2208, respectively. For example, the bathrooms 2216a-2216c can be removably
disposed within the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b, and the first compartment 2208, respectively. The
bathrooms 2216 can
be reusable. In the illustrated embodiment, the bathrooms 2216 are assemblies
of reusable
bathroom modules configured for rapid deployment into and removal from the
school building 2100
in an at least partially disassembled state. For example, the bathrooms 2216
can be made up mostly
or entirely of reusable modular components. In other embodiments, the
bathrooms 2216 can be
portable bathroom units, such as bathroom units configured for rapid
deployment into and removal
from the school building 2100 without significant disassembly. This deployment
and removal can
occur by forklift, by dolly, by operation of wheels integrated into the
bathrooms 2216, or in another
suitable manner. In still other embodiments, the bathrooms 2216 can have other
suitable forms.
[00255] The collection 2200 can further include plumbing drain lines 2218
(individually
identified as plumbing drain lines 2218a-2218c) through which the bathrooms
2216 are operably
connected, respectively, to the plumbing drain trunk line 2142. Similarly, the
collection 2200 can
include cold water supply lines 2220 (individually identified as cold water
supply lines 2220a-
2220e) through which the bathrooms 2216 are operably connected, respectively,
to the water supply
trunk line 2144. Also similarly, the collection 2200 can include hot water
supply lines 2222
(individually identified as hot water supply lines 2222a-2222c) through which
the bathrooms 2216
are operably connected, respectively, to the water supply trunk line 2144.
Thus, in at least some
embodiments, the bathrooms 2216 are tethered to the plumbing drain trunk line
2142 and the water
supply trunk line 2144. The plumbing drain lines 2218, cold water supply lines
2220, and hot water
supply lines 2222 can be removably disposed inside and/or outside the school
building 2100. For
example, the plumbing drain lines 2218, cold water supply lines 2220, and hot
water supply lines
2222 can be temporary and configured for reuse or disposal after the
collection 2200 is
decommissioned. Alternatively, the plumbing drain lines 2218, cold water
supply lines 2220, and
hot water supply lines 2222 can be permanently disposed inside and/or outside
the school building
2100, such as in a manner that does not interfere significantly with the
school use of the school
building 2100.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00256] The collection 2200 can further include plumbing ventilation lines
2224 (individually
identified as plumbing ventilation lines 2224a-2224c) and exhaust lines 2226
(individually
identified as exhaust lines 2226a-2226c) through which the bathrooms 2216 are
operably connected,
respectively, to an exterior of the school building 2100. For example, the
collection 2200 can
include exhaust filters 2228 (e.g., containing activated carbon) disposed
(e.g., removably disposed)
on suitable exterior surfaces of the permanent walls 2102, and the plumbing
ventilation lines 2224
and exhaust lines 2226 can extend between the bathrooms 2216 and the exhaust
filters 2228. The
collection 2200 can still further include electrical lines 2229 (individually
identified as electrical
lines 2229a-2229c) through which the bathrooms 2216 are operably connected,
respectively, to
electrical outlets (not shown) on interior surfaces of the permanent walls
2102. For clarity of
illustration, counterparts of the plumbing ventilation lines 2224, the exhaust
lines 2226, the exhaust
filters 2228, and the electrical lines 2229 are not shown for bathrooms of the
collection 2200 other
than the bathrooms 2216a-2216c. Nor are counterparts of the plumbing
ventilation lines 2224, the
exhaust lines 2226, the exhaust filters 2228, and the electrical lines 2229
shown for bathrooms of
the collections illustrated in Figures 75, 76 and 81-85, as described below.
It should be understood
that counterparts of the plumbing ventilation lines 2224, the exhaust lines
2226, the exhaust filters
2228, and the electrical lines 2229 can be present for any of the other
bathrooms of the collection
2200 and the bathrooms of the collections 2600, 2700, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300,
3400 illustrated in
Figures 75, 76 and 81-85.
[00257] With reference again to Figure 53, in the illustrated embodiment,
the plumbing drain
line 2218a, the cold water supply line 2220a, and the hot water supply line
2222a extend along
respective drainage or supply routes between the bathroom 2216a and the school
bathroom 2110a
via the main stairway 2112a and retrofitted openings (not shown) in the
permanent walls 2102. ,The
plumbing drain line 2218b, the cold water supply line 2220b, and the hot water
supply line 2222b
extend between the bathroom 2216b and the school bathroom 2110a via one of the
doorway
openings 2120 of the classroom 2108b, the hallway 2106, and the doorway
opening 2120 of the
school bathroom 2110a. The plumbing drain line 2218c, the cold water supply
line 2220c, and the
hot water supply line 2222c extend between the bathroom 2216c and the school
bathroom 2110a via
the classroom 2108g, the classroom 2108h, and retrofitted openings (not shown)
in the permanent
walls 2102. In other embodiments, the plumbing drain lines 2218, cold water
supply lines 2220,
and hot water supply lines 2222 can have other suitable drainage and/or supply
routes within the
school building 2100 and/or outside of the school building 2100. When present,
the retrofitted
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
openings in the permanent walls 2102 can be at least substantially reversible.
For example, the
retrofitted openings can be formed when the school building 2100 is initially
retrofitted to
accommodate the collection 2200 in a manner that allows the retrofitted
openings to be
conveniently reclosed when the collection 2200 is decommissioned. In a
particular example, the
retrofitted openings are outfitted with cabinet-style doors (not shown) that
can be maintained open
when the retrofitted openings are in use and maintained closed when the
retrofitted openings are not
in use.
[00258] The plumbing drain lines 2218, cold water supply lines 2220, and
hot water supply
lines 2222 can be above-ground, such as positioned above a ground surface
outside the school
building 2100 along the corresponding drainage or supply routes. In addition
or alternatively, the
plumbing drain lines 2218, cold water supply lines 2220, and hot water supply
lines 2222 can be
above-floor, such as positioned above a finished floor surface of the school
building 2100 along the
corresponding drainage or supply routes. Furthermore, the plumbing drain lines
2218, cold water
supply lines 2220, and hot water supply lines 2222 can have respective lengths
of at least two
meters (e.g., at least four meters). In the illustrated embodiment, the
plumbing drain line 2218a, the
plumbing drain line 2218b, the cold water supply line 2220a, the cold water
supply line 2220b, the
hot water supply line 2222a, and the hot water supply line 2222b are above-
floor and extend over
respective lengths of at least two meters (e.g., at least four meters) within
the hallway 2106. The
plumbing drain line 2218c, the cold water supply line 2220c, and the hot water
supply line 2222c
are also above-floor and extend over respective lengths of at least two meters
(e.g., at least four
meters) within the classrooms 2108g, 2108h. In other embodiments, all of the
plumbing drain lines
2218, cold water supply lines 2220, and hot water supply lines 2222 can have
respective lengths of
at least two meters (e.g., at least four meters) within the hallway 2106,
within suitable combinations
of the classrooms 2108, and/or elsewhere within or outside the school building
2100.
[00259] The plumbing drain lines 2218 can be sloped to convey liquid waste
from the
corresponding bathrooms 2216 toward the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 (e.g.,
via the school
bathroom 2110a) at least partially by gravity. To facilitate this sloping
and/or for other reasons, the
bathrooms 2216 can have respective floor levels at least 0.5 meter (e.g., at
least 1 meter) higher than
corresponding underlying floor levels of the school building 2100, such as
floor levels at the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the first compartment 2208, respectively. As shown
in Figure 53, the
collection 2200 can include bridges 2230 disposed over respective bundles of
the plumbing drain
lines 2218, cold water supply lines 2220, and hot water supply lines 2222.
Like many other
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
components of the collection 2200, the bridges 2230 can be reusable and
removably disposed within
the school building 2100. The bridges 2230 can be useful, for example, to
facilitate pedestrian
traversal of the bundles when the hallway 2106 is accessible to occupants of
the first, second, and
third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212.
[00260] Retrofits to the school building 2100 that cause the school
building 2100 to adapt from
being well suited for a school use to being well suited for an alternative use
can include removing
the school desks 2128, school chairs 2130, and toilets 2136 from their
respective locations when the
school building 2100 is in the first state (e.g., their respective locations
shown in Figure 52). In the
illustrated embodiment, the school desks 2128, school chairs 2130, and toilets
2136 are stowed
compactly (e.g., close together and/or stacked) within the oversized room
2114. In other
embodiments the school desks 2128, school chairs 2130, and toilets 2136 can be
removed from the
school building 2100 or stored in another suitable location within the school
building 2100. The
retrofits can further include removing some or all of the doors 2126. For
example, Figure 53 shows
that the door 2126 at the doorway opening 2120 of the school bathroom 2110a
and the door 2126 at
one of the doorway openings 2120 of the classroom 2108b are removed to
facilitate passage of the
plumbing drain line 2218b, the cold water supply line 2220b, and the hot water
supply line 2222b
between the bathroom 2216b and the school bathroom 2110a. The bathroom 2216b
can be
positioned within the classroom 2108b such that access to the classroom 2108b
via the doorless
doorway opening 2120 of the classroom 2108b is blocked. The retrofits can also
include forming
the openings in the permanent walls 2102 through which the plumbing drain
lines 2218a, 2218c, the
cold water supply lines 2220a, 2220c, the hot water supply lines 2222a, 2222c,
the plumbing
ventilation lines 2224, and the exhaust lines 2226 extend. Forming these
openings and suitable
other retrofits of the school building 2100 can be permanent and completed in
conjunction with an
initial adaptation of the school building 2100 from being well suited for the
school use to being well
suited for the alternative use. These permanent retrofits can then be reused
in conjunction with
streamlined subsequent adaptations of the school building 2100 from being well
suited for the
school use to being well suited for the alternative use.
[00261] The school bathroom 2110a can include toilet hookups 2232 that are
exposed when the
toilets 2136 are removed. Similarly, the school bathroom 2110a can include
sink hookups 2233 that
are exposed when the sinks 2138 are disconnected. The bathrooms 2216 and the
plumbing drain
lines 2218 can be operably connected to the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 via
the toilet hookups
2232. Similarly, the bathrooms 2216 and the cold and hot water supply lines
2220, 2222 can be
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operably connected to the water supply trunk line 2144 via the sink hookups
2233. In the illustrated
embodiment, the collection 2200 includes a sewage detention tank 2234, a cold
water reservoir
2236, and a hot water reservoir 2238 removably disposed within the school
bathroom 2110a, such
as removably disposed above a finished floor surface of the school bathroom
2110a. In other
embodiments, the sewage detention tank 2234, the cold water reservoir 2236,
and the hot water
reservoir 2238 can be permanently disposed within the school bathroom 2110a,
removably or
permanently disposed within the hallway 2106, or removably or permanently
disposed elsewhere
within the school building 2100 or outside the school building 2100.
[00262] The sewage detention tank 2234 can be useful, for example, to
increase a capacity of
the school bathroom 2110a to remove liquid waste from the bathrooms 2216. As
shown in Figure
53, the total number of the bathrooms 2216 and counterpart bathrooms operably
connected to the
school bathroom 2110a can exceed a total number of toilet hookups 2232 within
the school
bathroom 2110a. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, while the plumbing
drain line 2218b
is operably connected to the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 via one of the
toilet hookups 2232 in a
dedicated manner, the plumbing drain lines 2218a, 2218c share another of the
toilet hookups 2232.
The bathrooms 2216a, 2216c and the plumbing drain lines 2218a, 2218c can be
operably connected
to the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 via the sewage detention tank 2234,
which, in turn, can be
operably connected to the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 via one of the toilet
hookups 2232.
[00263] Due to the presence of the sewage detention tank 2234, spikes in
flow through the
plumbing drain lines 2218a, 2218c can be attenuated, thereby increasing the
effective capacity of
the school bathroom 2110a to handle liquid waste. Similarly, the cold and hot
water reservoirs
2236, 2238 can increase a capacity of the school bathroom 2110a to supply cold
and hot water,
respectively, to the bathrooms 2216. The bathrooms 2216 can be operably
connected to the water
supply trunk line 2144 via the cold and hot water reservoirs 2236, 2238. In at
least some cases, the
sinks 2138 are disconnected to allow for operable connection of the cold and
hot water reservoirs
2236, 2238 to the water supply trunk line 2144 via the sink hookups 2233. In
these and other cases,
the hot water reservoir 2238 can include a heater to boost the capacity of an
existing school water
heater (not shown) along a branch of the water supply trunk line 2144 that
supplies hot water to the
school bathroom 2110a. When the bathrooms 2216 include showers and in other
cases, the hot-
water demand associated with the collection 2200 can significantly exceed that
of the school
building 2100 during the school use. Use of a heater in conjunction with the
hot water reservoir
2238 can at least partially address this deficiency. In a similar manner, the
collection 2200 can
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include other suitable components for increasing or otherwise modifying the
capacity of permanent
systems of the school building 2100. For example, the collection 2200 can
include an electrical
generator (not shown) operably connected to the first, second, and third
rentable units 2202, 2204,
2212 to increase the capacity of permanent electrical system (not shown) of
the school building
2100.
[00264] Each of the first, second, and third rentable units 2202, 2204,
2212 can be furnished or
otherwise outfitted with suitable furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc. to
accommodate a
corresponding alternative use. In the illustrated embodiment, the first,
second, and third rentable
units 2202, 2204, 2212 are respective lodging units with suitable furnishings,
fixtures, accessories,
etc. to accommodate lodging use. For example, each of the first, second, and
third rentable units
2202, 2204, 2212 can include a bed 2240, side tables 2242, upholstered chairs
2244, a writing table
2246, a sofa 2248, coffee tables 2250, a television 2252, a kitchenette 2254,
and a set of step stairs
2256. The kitchenettes 2254 and the sets of step stairs 2256 can be operably
associated with the
corresponding bathrooms 2216. In other embodiments, the first, second, and
third rentable units
2202, 2204, 2212 can include other suitable furnishings, fixtures,
accessories, etc. Furthermore, the
furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc. of the first, second, and third
rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212
need not be consistent. In some cases, the first, second, and third rentable
units 2202, 2204, 2212
accommodate different types of alternative uses and/or accommodate the same
type of alternative
use, but have dissimilar furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc. As described
in further detail below,
the first, second, and third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212 can accommodate
lodging uses,
residential uses (e.g., short-term residential uses), office uses (e.g., short-
term office uses), assembly
uses (e.g., short-term assembly uses), and combinations thereof, among other
possible types of
alternative uses.
[00265] Figures 54, 55, 56 and 57 are, respectively, a first side profile
view, an opposite second
side profile view, a first end profile view, and an opposite second end
profile view of the bathroom
2216c. The bathroom 2216c will now be described with the understanding that
the bathrooms
2216a, 2216b can have the same or similar features. With reference to Figures
54-57 together, the
bathroom 2216c can include a rectangular floor module 2300, a rectangular
ceiling module 2302
vertically spaced apart from the floor module 2300, and a plurality of wall
modules 2304
(individually identified as wall modules 2304a-2304d) removably connected to
the floor and ceiling
modules 2300, 2302 at respective perimeter portions of the floor and ceiling
modules 2300, 2302.
The bathroom 2216c can further include a lower gasket 2306 disposed between
the perimeter
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portion of the floor module 2300 and the wall modules 2304, and an upper
gasket 2308 disposed
between the perimeter portion of the ceiling module 2302 and the wall modules
2304. The floor
module 2300 can include upwardly extending tabs 2310 through which the floor
module 2300 is
secured to the wall modules 2304. Similarly, the ceiling module 2302 can
include downwardly
extending tabs 2312 through which the ceiling module 2302 is secured to the
wall modules 2304.
The wall modules 2304c, 2304d can include vertical flanges 2314 at which the
wall modules 2304c,
2304d are secured to the wall modules 2304a, 2304b. The bathroom 2216c can
include bolts 2316
and associated nuts 2318 at the upwardly extending tabs 2310, the downwardly
extending tabs
2312, and the vertical flanges 2314.
[00266] At the wall module 2304a (Figure 56), the bathroom 2216c can
include a doorway
opening 2320, a frame 2322 extending around the doorway opening 2320, and a
door 2324 disposed
within the doorway opening 2320 and hingedly connected to the frame 2322. The
bathroom 2216c
can further include a handle 2326 and hinges 2328 operably associated with the
door 2324. At the
wall module 2304b (Figure 57), the bathroom 2216c can include a plumbing
ventilation hookup
2330 and an exhaust hookup 2332. The plumbing ventilation hookup 2330 and the
exhaust hookup
2332 can be configured for convenient connection to and disconnection from the
plumbing
ventilation line 2224c and the exhaust line 2226c (Figure 53), respectively,
such as via quick release
couplings (not shown). The wall modules 2304c, 2304d can extend between the
wall modules
2304a, 2304b at opposite sides of the bathroom 2216c. As discussed above, the
bathroom 2216c
can be configured to be elevated above a floor surface of the first
compartment 2208. For this
purpose and/or another suitable purpose, the floor module 2300 can include
feet 2333. In at least
some embodiments, a gap between the feet 2333 is large enough to allow the
bathroom 2216c,
when fully assembled, to be conveniently moved by forklift. At the ceiling
module 2302, the
bathroom 2216c can include skylights 2334 that allow ambient light within the
first compartment
2208 to enter an interior of the bathroom 2216c.
[00267] At a side of the floor module 2300 below the wall module 2304c, the
bathroom 2216c
can include a main plumbing drain hookup 2335, a main cold water supply hookup
2336, and a
main hot water supply hookup 2338. At an end of the floor module 2300 below
the wall module
2304b, the bathroom 2216c can include a main electrical hookup 2340. The main
plumbing drain
hookup 2335, the main cold water supply hookup 2336, the main hot water supply
hookup 2338,
and the main electrical hookup 2340 can be configured for convenient
connection to and
disconnection from the plumbing drain line 2218c, the cold water supply line
2220c, the hot water
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
supply line 2222c, and the electrical line 2229c, respectively, such as via
quick release couplings
(not shown). At a side of the floor module 2300 below the wall module 2304d,
the bathroom 2216c
can include an auxiliary plumbing drain hookup 2342, an auxiliary cold water
supply hookup 2344,
an auxiliary hot water supply hookup 2346, and an auxiliary electrical hookup
2348. The auxiliary
plumbing drain hookup 2342, the auxiliary cold water supply hookup 2344, the
auxiliary hot water
supply hookup 2346, and the auxiliary electrical hookup 2348 can be configured
for convenient
connection to and disconnection from corresponding lines (not shown) of the
kitchenette 2254, such
as via quick release couplings (not shown).
[00268] Figure 58 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 2216c
taken along the line
58-58 in Figure 54. As shown in Figure 58, the floor module 2300 can include a
deck 2354, and the
bathroom 2216c can include a sink 2356, a toilet 2358, and a bathtub/shower
2360 disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) on the deck 2354. The sink 2356 can include a basin 2362,
a sink drain 2364,
a sink faucet 2366, a sink hot water knob 2368, and a sink cold water knob
2370 operably
connected to one another. The toilet 2358 can include a tank 2372, a bowl
2374, and a toilet drain
2376 operably connected to one another. The bathtub/shower 2360 can include a
tub 2378, a tub
drain 2380, a tub faucet 2382, a tub cold water knob 2384, a tub hot water
knob 2386, a cold water
conduit 2388, and a hot water conduit 2390 operably connected to one another.
The cold water
conduit 2388 can include a riser 2392 and a first branch 2394 extending
between the riser 2392 and
the tub faucet 2382. The tub cold water knob 2384 can be disposed along the
first branch 2394 and
operable to control a flow of cold water from the cold water conduit 2388 to
the tub faucet 2382.
Similarly, the hot water conduit 2390 can include a riser 2396 and a first
branch 2398 extending
between the riser 2396 and the tub faucet 2382. The tub hot water knob 2386
can be disposed along
the first branch 2398 and operable to control a flow of hot water from the hot
water conduit 2390 to
the tub faucet 2382.
[00269] The bathroom 2216c can further include an electrical conduit 2400,
a junction box
2402 operably connected to the electrical conduit 2400, a plumbing ventilation
conduit 2404
disposed between the sink 2356 and the toilet 2358, and a floor drain 2406
disposed between the
toilet 2358 and the bathtub/shower 2360. Figure 59 is an enlarged view of a
portion of Figure 58.
With reference to Figures 58 and 59 together, the bathroom 2216c can include
vertical gaskets 2408
disposed between the respective vertical flanges 2314 and corresponding
portions of the wall
modules 2304a, 2304b. Similarly, the bathroom 2216c can include lower tab
gaskets 2410 disposed
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
between the respective upwardly extending tabs 2310 and corresponding portions
of the wall
modules 2304.
[00270] Figure 60 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom
2216c taken along the
line 60-60 in Figure 54. As shown in Figure 60, the bathroom 2216c can include
a light fixture
2412 attached to the wall module 2304c above the sink 2356. The bathroom 2216c
can further
include an exhaust intake fan 2414 attached to the ceiling module 2302. The
electrical conduit 2400
can extend from the junction box 2402 (Figure 58) to the light fixture 2412,
and from the light
fixture 2412 to the exhaust intake fan 2414. The plumbing ventilation conduit
2404 can extend
along an inner comer between the ceiling module 2302 and the wall modules
2304b, 2304c to the
plumbing ventilation hookup 2330 (Figure 57). The bathroom 2216c can include
an exhaust
conduit 2416 extending between the exhaust intake fan 2414 and the exhaust
hookup 2332 (Figure
57). Above one end of the tub 2378 (Figure 58), the bathtub/shower 2360
(Figure 58) can include a
showerhead 2418, a shower cold water knob 2420 operably connected to the cold
water conduit
2388, and a shower hot water knob 2422 operably connected to the hot water
conduit 2390. The
cold water conduit 2388 can include a second branch 2424 extending between the
riser 2392 and the
showerhead 2418. The shower cold water knob 2420 can be disposed along the
second branch 2424
and operable to control a flow of cold water from the cold water conduit 2388
to the showerhead
2418. Similarly, the hot water conduit 2390 can include a second branch 2426
extending between
the riser 2396 and the showerhead 2418. The shower hot water knob 2422 can be
disposed along
the second branch 2426 and operable to control a flow of hot water from the
hot water conduit 2390
to the showerhead 2418. The bathroom 2216c can include upper tab gaskets 2428
disposed
between the respective downwardly extending tabs 2312 and corresponding
portions of the wall
modules 2304.
[00271] Figure 61 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 2216c
taken along the line
61-61 in Figure 54. With reference to Figures 54, 55, 58 and 61 together, the
floor module 2300 can
include a skirt 2430 and a series of parallel spaced-apart joists 2432 within
the skirt 2430. The
bathroom 2216c can include a main plumbing drain conduit 2434 operably
connected to the main
plumbing drain hookup 2335 and the toilet drain 2376. The main plumbing drain
conduit 2434 can
include branches 2436 (individually identified as branches 2436a-2436d)
operably connected to the
plumbing ventilation conduit 2404, the sink drain 2364, the tub drain 2380,
and the floor drain
2406, respectively. The main plumbing drain conduit 2434 can further include a
sub-branch 2438
operably connected to the auxiliary plumbing drain hookup 2342 via the branch
2436b. The
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
branches 2436c, 2436d can include respective traps 2440. Furthermore, the main
plumbing drain
conduit 2434 and the branches 2436 can include respective caps 2442. The
bathroom 2216c can
include wheels 2443 (e.g., swivel casters) integrated into the floor module
2300. In the illustrated
embodiment, the wheels 2443 are embedded within the feet 2333 and accessible
via inwardly facing
openings (not shown) of the feet 2333. The individual wheels 2443 can be
movable between a
retracted state and an extended state. For example, the bathroom 2216c can
include posts 2444
having threads (not shown) that engage corresponding threads (not shown) of
the wheels 2443 such
that the wheels 2443 can be rotatably moved between the retracted and extended
states. Moving the
wheels 2443 from the retracted state to the extended state can lift the
bathroom 2216c off a
corresponding floor surface, thereby allowing the bathroom 2216c to be
conveniently moved along
the floor surface.
[00272] The bathroom 2216c can further include a main cold water conduit
2445 and a main
hot water conduit 2446 operably connected to the main cold water supply hookup
2336 and the
main hot water supply hookup 2338, respectively. The main cold water conduit
2445 can include
branches 2448 (individually identified as branches 2448a, 2448b) operably
connected to the sink
2356 and the bathtub/shower 2360 (via the riser 2392), respectively. The main
cold water conduit
2445 can further include a sub-branch 2450a operably connected to the
auxiliary cold water supply
hookup 2344 via the branch 2448a. The main cold water conduit 2445 can still
further include a
sub-branch 2450b operably connected to the toilet 2358 via the branch 2448b.
The main hot water
conduit 2446 can include branches 2452 (individually identified as branches
2452a, 2452b)
operably connected to the sink 2356 and the bathtub/shower 2360 (via the riser
2396), respectively.
The main hot water conduit 2446 can further include a sub-branch 2454 operably
connected to the
auxiliary hot water supply hookup 2346 via the branch 2452a. The bathroom
2216c can still further
include a main electrical conduit 2456 operably connected to the main
electrical hookup 2340. The
main electrical conduit 2456 can include branches 2458 (individually
identified as branches 2458a,
2458b) operably connected to the electrical conduit 2400 and the auxiliary
electrical hookup 2348,
respectively.
[00273] Figure 62 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom
2216c taken along the
line 62-62 in Figure 54. As shown in Figure 62, the bathroom 2216c can include
a floor heating
system 2460 operably associated with the deck 2354. The floor heating system
2460 can include a
control box 2462 operably connected to the main electrical conduit 2456, and a
heating cable 2464
operably connected to the control box 2462. The heating cable 2464 can have a
serpentine
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
configuration and be directly connected to an underside of the deck 2354
between the joists 2432.
With reference to Figures 54-62 together, the floor drain 2406, the main
plumbing drain conduit
2434 (e.g., including its branches 2436 and sub-branch 2438), the main cold
water conduit 2445
(e.g., including its branches 2448 and sub-branch 2450), the main hot water
conduit 2446 (e.g.,
including its branches 2452 and sub-branch 2454), the main electrical conduit
2456 (e.g., including
its branches 2458), the floor heating system 2460, and/or other suitable
components of the bathroom
2216c can be pre-installed components of the floor module 2300. Similarly, the
supply plumbing
for the bathtub/shower 2360 (e.g., including the tub faucet 2382, the cold
water conduit 2388, the
hot water conduit 2390, and the showerhead 2418), the light fixture 2412,
and/or other suitable
components of the bathroom 2216c can be pre-installed components of the wall
module 2304c.
These and/or other aspects of the bathroom 2216c can facilitate rapid
deployment, removal, and
redeployment of the bathroom 2216c.
[00274]
Figure 63 is top plan view of wall component types included in the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206 (Figure 53). As
further described below, the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can be made up mostly or entirely of reusable
modular
components. For example, the compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can include
staggered rows of
wall components of a first type 2500. At portions of the compartmentalizing
assembly 2206 closest
to the permanent walls 2102, the compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can include
wall components
of a second type 2502 respectively disposed at every other row of the
compartmentalizing assembly
2206 between the wall components of the first type 2500. In at least some
embodiments, the wall
components of the first type 2500 have rectangular footprints with aspect
ratios of 2:1. In these and
other embodiments, the wall components of the second type 2502 can have square
footprints. Thus,
when seams between the wall components of the first type 2500 are evenly
staggered row-to-row,
the wall components of the second type 2502 can cap the short rows, thereby
giving the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206 vertical end portions at or near the
permanent walls 2102.
Similarly, the compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can include wall components of
a full-size third
type 2504 and wall components of a reduced-size fourth type 2506 that can
alternatingly stacked to
form a T-shaped intersection of the compartmentalizing assembly 2206. In other
embodiments,
corresponding compartmentalizing assemblies can include full-size and reduced-
size L-shaped wall
components that can be stacked to form an L-shaped intersection, full-size and
reduced-size cross-
shaped wall components that can be stacked to form a cross-shaped
intersection, and/or wall
components of other suitable forms.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00275] Figure 64 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 53. Figures 65
and 66 are,
respectively, a first side profile view and an opposite second side profile
view corresponding to the
portion of Figure 53 shown in Figure 64. With reference to Figures 53 and 63-
66 together, the
illustrated portion of the compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can include
reusable wall components
2508 of the first and second types 2500, 2502 removably disposed within the
oversized room 2114.
For example, the oversized room 2114 can have a finished floor surface 2510
over which the wall
components 2508 are removably disposed, a finished wall surface 2512 beside
which the wall
components 2508 are removably disposed, and a finished ceiling surface 2514
below which the wall
components 2508 are removably disposed. The compartmentalizing assembly 2206
can include a
liner 2516 disposed (e.g., removably or permanently disposed) on the finished
floor surface 2510
below the wall components 2508. For example, the liner 2516 can be adhesively
connected to the
finished floor surface 2510. The liner 2516 can be useful, for example, to
protect the finished floor
surface 2510 from other components of the compartmentalizing assembly 2206, to
facilitate layout
the compartmentalizing assembly 2206, to reduce or eliminate the possibility
of shifting of the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206, and/or for other suitable purposes. Suitable
materials for the
liner 2516 include strips of peel-and-stick house wrap and strips of peel-and-
stick roof
underlayment. The liner 2516 can be disposable or reusable.
[00276] In at least some embodiments, the compartmentalizing assembly 2206
includes
additional components that facilitate compatibility between the wall
components 2508 and the
oversized room 2114 when the wall components 2508 have standard dimensions and
the oversized
room 2114 has irregular dimensions. For example, the compartmentalizing
assembly 2206 can
include a mass of self-leveling material 2518 (e.g., a disposable mass of
hardened self-leveling
grout) under the wall components 2508 and over the liner 2516. The mass of
self-leveling material
2518 can be molded and, in at least some cases, is integrally formed along
most or all of an overall
footprint of the compartmentalizing assembly 2206. During formation of the
mass of self-leveling
material 2518, the constituent self-leveling material can be of sufficiently
low viscosity to level
itself by gravity. Thus, the mass of self-leveling material 2518 can
automatically conform to slopes,
dips, and other irregularities in the finished floor surface 2510. When at
least partially cured, the
mass of self-leveling material 2518 can provide the compartmentalizing
assembly 2206 with a
reliably level surface that facilitates vertical stacking of the wall
components 2508.
[00277] As shown in Figures 64 and 66, the compartmentalizing assembly 2206
can include
compressible batting 2520 disposed (e.g., stuffed) into a vertical gap between
the wall components
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
2508 and the finished wall surface 2512 and disposed (e.g., stuffed) into a
horizontal gap between
the wall components 2508 and the finished ceiling surface 2514. In at least
some embodiments, the
batting 2520 is reusable. Furthermore, the batting 2520 can be non-
combustible. For example, the
batting 2520 can be reusable bundles of lined or unlined mineral wool
insulation. At a side of the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206 closest to the first compartment 2208, the
compartmentalizing
assembly 2206 can include molding panels 2522 that hide the batting 2520. The
molding panels
2522 can be attached to the wall components 2508 magnetically, adhesively,
mechanically, or in
another suitable manner. In some embodiments, the overall compartmentalizing
assembly 2206 is
self-supporting, free-standing, and has a fire rating of at least two hours.
In other embodiments, the
overall compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can have only some or none of these
attributes.
[00278] Figure 67 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 66. As shown
in Figure 67, the
wall components 2508 can be stacked within the compartmentalizing assembly
2206. Furthermore,
the wall components 2508 can be interlocking within the compartmentalizing
assembly 2206. For
example, the individual wall components 2508 can include downwardly extending
flanges 2524 that
are received within successively lower wall components 2508. At the mass of
self-leveling material
2518, the compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can include base blocks 2526
configured to receive
the flanges 2524 of the wall components 2508 within a lowest row of wall
components 2508 within
the compartmentalizing assembly 2206. When fully assembled, the
compartmentalizing assembly
2206 can be strong enough to support fixtures and accessories (e.g.,
electrical conduits, monitors,
shelving, moldings, artwork, furniture supports, etc.). In at least some
embodiments, exposed
portions of the wall components 2508 are at least partially made of ferrous
metal such that suitable
fixtures and accessories can be connected to the compartmentalizing assembly
2206 magnetically.
In addition or alternatively, the wall components 2508 can include coupling
components 2528 that
allow suitable fixtures and accessories to be connected to the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206
mechanically and/or by gravity.
[00279] Figure 68 is side profile view of a given one of the wall
components 2508 of the first
type 2500 separate from other portions of the compartmentalizing assembly
2206. Figure 69 is a
cross-sectional top plan view of the given wall component 2508 taken along the
line 69-69 in Figure
68. Figure 70 is a cross-sectional end plan view of the given wall component
2508 taken along the
line 70-70 in Figure 68. In at least some embodiments, other (e.g., most or
all) of the wall
components 2508 of the first type 2500 within the compartmentalizing assembly
2206 at least
substantially match the given wall component 2508 illustrated in Figures 68-
70. With reference to
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
Figures 68-70 together, the given wall component 2508 can include a first side
panel 2530 and an
opposite second side panel 2532 parallel to and spaced apart from the first
side panel 2530.
Similarly, the given wall component 2508 can include a first end panel 2534
and an opposite second
end panel 2536 parallel to and spaced apart from the first end panel 2534. The
first and second side
panels 2530, 2532 and the first and second end panels 2534, 2536 can define an
interior region of
the given wall component 2508 shaped, for example, as a rectangular solid. The
given wall
component 2508 can include two of the flanges 2524 at the first side panel
2530 and other two of
the flanges 2524 at the second side panel 2532. As shown in Figure 68, the
flanges 2524 can be
parallel to and inset relative to the corresponding first and second side
panels 2530, 2532. Between
the flanges 2524 at the first side panel 2530 and between the flanges 2524 at
the second side panel
2532, the given wall component 2508 can include respective slots 2538.
[00280] When the given wall component 2508 is assembled with other wall
components 2508
of the first type 2500 within the compartmentalizing assembly 2206, one of the
flanges 2524 at the
first side panel 2530 and an opposing one of the flanges 2524 at the second
side panel 2532 can be
received within the interior region of a first neighboring lower wall
component 2508. Similarly, the
other of the flanges 2524 at the first side panel 2530 and the other of the
flanges 2524 at the second
side panel 2532 can be received within the interior region of a second
neighboring lower wall
component 2508 adjacent to the first neighboring lower wall component 2508.
The second end
panel 2536 of the first neighboring lower wall component 2508 and the first
end panel 2534 of the
second neighboring lower wall component 2508 can be directly adjacent to one
another and
received within the slots 2538 of the given wall component 2508. This
interaction between the wall
components 2508 can facilitate convenient assembly of the compartmentalizing
assembly 2206 with
neighboring rows of the wall components 2508 evenly staggered.
[00281] In at least some embodiments, the given wall component 2508 is
rigid and the first and
second side panels 2530, 2532 and the first and second end panels 2534, 2536
provide the given
wall component 2508 with most of its rigidity. In the illustrated embodiment,
the first and second
side panels 2530, 2532 are thinner than the first and second end panels 2534,
2536 and made of a
different material. For example, the first and second side panels 2530, 2532
can be metal (e.g.,
iron) and the first and second end panels 2534, 2536 can be cementitious
(e.g., fiber-reinforced
cement). The metal composition of the first and second side panels 2530, 2532
can be useful, for
example, for aesthetics, to facilitate magnetic coupling of fixtures and
accessories to the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206, and/or for another reason. The cementitious
composition of
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the first and second end panels 2534, 2536 can be useful, for example, to
enhance the fire rating of
the compartmentalizing assembly 2206, to reduce noise transmission through the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206, and/or for another reason. In other
embodiments, the first and
second side panels 2530, 2532 and the first and second end panels 2534, 2536
can have other
suitable forms and/or compositions.
[00282] The given wall component 2508 can further include compressible
batting 2540
disposed within its interior region. Similar to the batting 2520 described
above, the batting 2540
can be reusable and/or non-combustible. For example, the batting 2538 can be
reusable bundles of
lined or unlined mineral wool insulation. In at least some embodiments, the
batting 2540 is
removable. Furthermore, the first and second side panels 2530, 2532 and the
first and second end
panels 2534, 2536 can be collapsible. For example, at the corners where the
first and second side
panels 2530, 2532 and the first and second end panels 2534, 2536 meet, the
given wall component
2508 can include hinges (not shown), such as flexure bearings or piano hinges
that allow each
corner to fold in a direction that causes the first and second side panels
2530, 2532 and the first and
second end panels 2534, 2536 to flatten. This feature along with the
compressibility of the batting
2540 can facilitate efficient storage and transport of the given wall
component 2508 between
deployments. When the first and second side panels 2530, 2532 and the first
and second end panels
2534, 2536 are collapsible, the given wall component 2508 can include a
rectangular inset (not
shown) that rests on upper edges of the flanges 2524. The inset can be
removably disposed within
the interior of the given wall component 2508 to cause the given wall
component 2508 to maintain
its rectangular form during use. When the first and second side panels 2530,
2532 and the first and
second end panels 2534, 2536 are to be collapsed, the inset can be removed.
[00283] Figure 71 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 70. As shown
in Figure 71, a
lowermost portion of the first side panel 2530 can overlap an uppermost
portion of one the flanges
2524. Figure 71 further illustrates a given one of the coupling components
2528 at the lowermost
portion of the first side panel 2530. In at least some embodiments, other
(e.g., most or all) of the
coupling components 2528 of wall components 2508 within the compartmentalizing
assembly 2206
at least substantially match the coupling component 2528 illustrated in Figure
71. The coupling
component 2528 can include a notch 2542 and a plug 2544 removably disposed
within the notch
2542. The plug 2544 can include a magnet 2546 that releasably connects the
plug 2544 to the
uppermost portion of the adjacent flange 2524. The plug 2544 can be disposed
within the notch
2542 when the coupling component 2528 is not in use. Removing the plug 2544
from the notch
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2542 can expose an opening into the interior of the given wall component 2508.
A suitable
mechanical fastener (e.g., a hook) (not shown) can be inserted into this
opening. In this way,
relatively heavy fixtures and accessories can be connected to the
compartmentalizing assembly
2206 through a reliable mechanical connection in addition to or instead of a
magnetic connection.
[00284] Figure 72 is a top plan view of a portion of a collection of
rentable units and associated
structures 2550 in accordance with another embodiment of the present
technology at the oversized
room 2114 of the school building 2100 in the second state taken along the line
72-72 in Figure 51.
Figure 73 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 72. Figure 74 is a side
profile view
approximately corresponding to the portion of Figure 72 shown in Figure 73
taken along the line
74-74 in Figure 73. With reference to Figures 72-74 together, the collection
2550 can include a
compartmentalizing assembly 2552 having ceiling components (e.g., reusable
ceiling components)
removably disposed within the oversized room 2114 above the first and second
compartments 2208,
2210. For example, the compartmentalizing assembly 2552 can include rigid
ceiling panels 2554
and elongate ceiling beams 2556 interspersed between the ceiling panels 2554.
The ceiling beams
2556 can support the ceiling panels 2554, and the wall components 2508 can
support the ceiling
beams 2556. The wall components 2508 can be assembled into walls, columns, or
other suitable
structures. For example, the compartmentalizing assembly 2552 can include a
wall near the open
area 2134 and another wall at a portion of the oversized room 2114 furthest
from the stage 2132.
The ceiling beams 2556 can extend between these walls. When a distance between
underlying
walls does not correspond to a multiple of the length of the ceiling panels
2554, and in other cases,
the ceiling panels 2554 and beams 2556 can be cantilevered over one or both of
the underlying
walls.
[00285] As shown in Figure 74, the individual ceiling beams 2556 can have
an I-shape
transverse cross-section including two channels at opposite sides of a central
web. The individual
ceiling panels 2554 can have side edge portions snugly received within
corresponding channels of
adjacent ceiling beams 2556. In at least some cases, the ceiling components
form a thermally
conductive ceiling above the first and second compartments 2208, 2210 and
below an airspace 2558
within the oversized room 2114. The school building 2100 can include a heating
system 2560
(shown schematically) operable to heat the airspace 2558 and thereby provide
shared below-room-
temperature baseline heating to the third and fourth rentable units 2212, 2214
via the thermally
conductive ceiling. The third rentable unit 2212 can include a supplemental
heater 2562 (shown
schematically) operable to heat the first compartment 2208 and thereby provide
supplemental
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heating to the third rentable unit 2212. Similarly, the fourth rentable unit
2214 can include a
supplemental heater (not shown) operable to heat the second compartment 2210
and thereby
provide supplemental heating to the fourth rentable unit 2214. Also similarly,
the heating system
2560 can provide shared below-room-temperature baseline heating to the first
and second rentable
units 2202, 2204. The first and second rentable units 2202, 2204 can
respectively include
supplemental heaters (not shown) operable to heat the classrooms 2108a, 2108b
and thereby
provide supplemental heating to the first and second rentable units 2202,
2204.
[00286] Figure 75 is a top plan view of a collection of rentable units and
associated structures
2600 in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology at the
school building 2100
in the second state taken along the line G-G in Figure 51. As shown in Figure
75, the collection
2600 can include a plumbing drain line 2602, a cold water supply line 2604,
and a hot water supply
line 2606 disposed outside the school building 2100. For example, the plumbing
drain line 2602,
the cold water supply line 2604, and the hot water supply line 2606 can extend
above-ground over a
length of at least two meters outside the school building 2100. In the
illustrated embodiment, the
plumbing drain line 2602 connects the corresponding bathrooms 2216 to the
plumbing drain trunk
line 2142 via a corresponding exterior plumbing drain hookup 2608 rather than
through the school
bathroom 2110a. Similarly, the cold and hot water supply lines 2604, 2606
connect the
corresponding bathrooms 2216 to the water supply trunk line 2144 via a
corresponding exterior
water supply hookup 2610 rather than through the school bathroom 2110a.
[00287] The exterior plumbing drain hookup 2608 and the exterior water
supply hookup 2610
can be retrofitted. Furthermore, the hot water supply line 2606 can be
connected to the water
supply trunk line 2144 via a hot water reservoir 2612 disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) outside
the school building 2100 rather than within the school building 2100. Locating
the plumbing drain
line 2602, the cold water supply line 2604, the hot water supply line 2606,
the hot water reservoir
2612, and/or other suitable components of the collection 2600 outside the
school building 2100
rather than within the school building 2100 can be useful, for example, to
facilitate use of the
hallway 2106 (or other portions of the school building 2100 that would
otherwise contain these
components) by renters of the first, second, third, fourth, and additional
rentable units 2202, 2204,
2212, 2214, 2215.
[00288] In another embodiment, the first, second, third, fourth, and
additional rentable units
2202, 2204, 2212, 2214, 2215 are operably associated with components that
reduce or eliminate the
need for even temporary connections to permanent systems of the school
building 2100. For
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example, the first, second, third, fourth, and additional rentable units 2202,
2204, 2212, 2214, 2215
can be operably associated with a high-capacity sewage detention reservoir
(not shown) disposed
(e.g., removably disposed) within or outside the school building 2100, a high-
capacity cold water
reservoir (not shown) disposed (e.g., removably disposed) within or outside
the school building
2100, and/or a high-capacity generator (not shown) disposed (e.g., removably
disposed) within or
outside the school building 2100. The high-capacity sewage detention reservoir
can be configured
for occasional evacuation into a mobile tanker (e.g., a septic system pump
truck). Similarly, the
high-capacity cold water reservoir can be configured for occasional
replenishment from a mobile
tanker (e.g., a water supply truck).
[00289] Figure 76 is a top plan view of a collection of rentable units and
associated structures
2700 in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology at the
school building 2100
in the second state taken along the line G-G in Figure 51. As shown in Figure
76, the classrooms
2108 and the first and second compartments 2208, 2210 can be directly
accessible from the exterior
of the school building 2100. This can facilitate unmanned operation of the
first, second, third,
fourth, and additional rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212, 2214, 2215. At least
some of the window
openings 2122 (e.g., one window opening 2122 per classroom 2108, one window
opening 2122 of
the first compartment 2208, and one window opening 2122 of the second
compartment 2210) can
be retrofitted (e.g., at least substantially reversibly retrofitted) to
provide direct access to the
corresponding ones of the classrooms 2108, the first compartment 2208, and the
second
compartment 2210 from the exterior of the school building 2100. Retrofitting
the window openings
2122 can include removing the sashes 2124 from the window openings 2122. In
many types of
windows (e.g., double-hung windows) commonly found in school buildings, the
sashes 2124 are
readily removable and replaceable. After removal, the sashes 2124 can be
temporarily stored within
the oversized room 2114 near the stage 2132 until needed for reinstallation
into the corresponding
window openings 2122. Thus, removal of the sashes 2124 and other suitable
retrofits to the
window openings 2122 can be readily reversible. Alternatively, some of all of
these retrofits can be
permanent.
[00290] Additional features of the illustrated embodiment will now be
described at least
primarily with regard to the first, second, and third rentable units 2202,
2204, 2212. It should be
understood that the same or similar features can be present in the fourth
rentable unit 2214 and the
additional rentable units 2215 unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As shown in Figure
76, the collection 2700 can include doorways 2702 (individually identified as
doorways 2702a-
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
2702c) disposed (e.g., removably disposed) in operable association with
respective window
openings 2122 of the classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the first compartment 2208,
respectively. In the
illustrated embodiment, the doorways 2702 are reusable doorway overlays. This
form can be useful
to reduce or eliminate the need for custom sizing of the doorways 2702. In
other embodiments, the
doorways 2702 can be reusable doorway inserts, or have other suitable forms.
With reference again
to the illustrated embodiment, the collection 2700 further includes exterior
stairways 2704
(individually identified as exterior stairways 2704a-2704c) disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) in
operable association with respective window openings 2122 of the classrooms
2108a, 2108b and the
first compartment 2208, respectively. Similarly, in the illustrated
embodiment, the collection 2700
includes interior stairways 2706 (individually identified as interior
stairways 2706a-2706c) disposed
(e.g., removably disposed) in operable association with respective window
openings 2122 of the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the first compartment 2208, respectively. In other
embodiments,
some or all of the exterior and interior stairways 2704, 2706 can be replaced
with corresponding
exterior and interior ramps.
1002911
Similar to the bathrooms 2216, the exterior and interior stairways 2704, 2706
can be
reusable. In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior and interior stairways
2704, 2706 are
assemblies of reusable exterior and interior stairway modules configured for
rapid deployment into
and out of operable association with the corresponding window openings 2122 in
an at least
partially disassembled state. For example, the exterior and interior stairways
2704, 2706 can be
made up mostly or entirely of reusable modular components. In other
embodiments, the exterior
and interior stairways 2704, 2706 can be portable exterior and interior
stairway units, such as
exterior and interior stairway units configured for rapid deployment into and
out of operable
association with the corresponding window openings 2122 without significant
disassembly. This
deployment and removal can occur by forklift, by dolly, by operation of wheels
integrated into the
exterior and interior stairways 2704, 2706, or in another suitable manner. In
still other
embodiments, the exterior and interior stairways 2704, 2706 can have other
suitable forms.
Furthermore, the collection 2700 can include footings 2708 (individually
identified as footings
2708a-2708c) removably or permanently disposed outside respective window
openings 2122 of the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the first compartment 2208, respectively. The
individual exterior
stairways 2704a-c can be removably connected to the individual footings 2708a-
c, respectively.
The footings 2708 can be permanent concrete piers or pads or have other
suitable forms.
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[00292] When the classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the first compartment 2208 are
directly
accessible from the exterior of the school building 2100, the first, second,
and third rentable units
2202, 2204, 2212 can be accessible only in this manner or both in this manner
and via the hallway
2106. In the former case, which is not illustrated in Figure 76, the bathrooms
2216a, 2216c can be
shifted to block the doorway openings 2120 of the classroom 2108a and the
first compartment 2208,
respectively. In addition or alternatively, the plumbing drain lines 2218a,
2218c, the cold water
supply lines 2220a, 2220c, and the hot water supply lines 2222a, 2222c can be
routed through the
doorway openings 2120 of the classroom 2108a and the first compartment 2208,
respectively, rather
than through openings in the permanent walls 2102. Direct access to the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b
and the first compartment 2208 from the exterior of the school building 2100
can facilitate use of
outdoor areas nearby the classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the first compartment
2208 by renters of the
first, second, and third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212. Accordingly, the
collection 2700 can
include outdoor furniture 2710 removably disposed in these outdoor areas to
support such use.
[00293] Figure 77 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 76. Figures 78
and 79 are,
respectively, an interior side profile view and an opposite exterior side
profile view approximately
corresponding to the portion of Figure 76 shown in Figure 77. The doorway
2702b, the exterior
stairway 2704b, the interior stairway 2706b, and associated portions of the
collection 2700 and the
school building 2100 will now be described with the understanding that the
doorways 2702a, 2702c,
the exterior stairways 2704a, 2704c, the interior stairways 2706a, 2706c, and
associated portions of
the collection 2700 and the school building 2100 can have the same or similar
features. With
reference to Figures 76-79 together, the exterior stairway 2704b can include
exterior railings 2800
and exterior steps 2802 disposed between the exterior railings 2800.
Similarly, the interior stairway
2706b can include interior railings 2804 and interior steps 2806 disposed
between the interior
railings 2804. The doorway 2702b can include a door 2808, a frame 2810, and
hinges 2812
operably connecting the door 2808 and the frame 2810 to one another. The
doorway 2702b can
further include a handle 2814 that facilitates operation of the door 2808 from
the exterior of the
school building 2100.
[00294] The doorway 2702b can still further include a smart lock 2815
configured to allow a
renter of the second rentable unit 2204 to unlock the door 2808 by operation
of a mobile device
(e.g. a mobile phone), by entering a passcode, by providing a biometric
identification (e.g., a
fingerprint), or in another suitable manner. For example, the smart lock 2815
may request a first
identifier from the renter upon initial check-in. The first identifier can be
a last name or some other
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
identifier that is readily available to the renter, but may not be
particularly secure. Correct entry of
the first identifier can cause the smart lock 2815 to signal (e.g., wirelessly
signal) an associated
server (not shown) to send a text message, email, etc. to the renter's mobile
device. The number
associated with the mobile device can be a number provided by the renter to an
operator of the
second rentable unit 2204 in conjunction with reservation of the second
rentable unit 2204 or in
conjunction with establishing or maintaining membership in a group of renters
authorized to rent
the second rentable unit 2204 without making a reservation. The text message,
email, etc. can
contain a newly generated passcode that can be entered into the smart lock
2815, alone or in
addition to other identifiers, for subsequent access to the second rentable
unit 2204 by the renter.
To grant access to another person, the renter merely forwards the text
message, email, etc.
containing the passcode to that person. When the renter's permission to use
the second rentable unit
2204 has expired, the smart lock 2815 can discontinue granting access to the
second rentable unit
2204 in response to entry of the passcode. This manner of controlling access
to the second rentable
unit 2204 can be significantly more secure, antonymous, and efficient than
conventional forms of
access control, such as those that rely on physical keycards.
[00295] The frame 2810 can be removably connected to portions of the
permanent wall 2102
on either side of the corresponding window opening 2122. Between the frame
2810 and the
permanent wall 2102, the doorway 2702b can include a gasket 2816 that enhances
the weather
resistance of the connection between the frame 2810 and the permanent wall
2102. In the illustrated
embodiment, the frame 2810 is removably bolted to the permanent wall 2102. For
example, the
doorway 2702b can include bolts 2818 that extend through the frame 2810,
through the gasket
2816, and through the permanent wall 2102. At an inside surface of the
permanent wall 2102, the
doorway 2702b can include furring strips 2820 through which the bolts 2818
also extend, and nuts
2822 operably connected to the bolts 2818 and bearing on the furring strips
2820. In other
embodiments, the doorway 2702b can be connected to the permanent wall 2102 in
another suitable
manner, such as using removable clamps. Furthermore, rather than being
removably connected to
the corresponding window opening 2122 at an exterior side of the permanent
wall 2102, in other
embodiments, the doorway 2702b can be removably connected to the corresponding
window
opening 2122 at an interior side of the permanent wall 2102.
[00296] Figure 80 is a top plan view of a doorway 2900 of a collection of
rentable units and
associated structures in accordance with another embodiment of the present
technology at the
school building 2100 in the second state taken along the line G-G in Figure 51
and corresponding to
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
the portion shown in Figure 76. In contrast to the doorway 2702b shown in
Figures 76-79, the
doorway 2900 is an inset rather than an overlay. For example, the doorway 2900
can be disposed
within the corresponding window opening 2122 rather than at an exterior or
interior side of the
corresponding window opening 2122. As shown in Figure 80, the doorway 2900 can
include a
frame 2902 that is narrower than the corresponding window opening 2122. The
doorway 2900 can
further include gaskets 2904 disposed between the frame 2902 and sidewalls of
the corresponding
window opening 2122. The bolts 2818 of the doorway 2900 can extend laterally
through respective
portions of the permanent wall 2102 on opposite sides of the corresponding
window opening 2122
in which the doorway 2900 is installed. For example, the bolts 2818 can extend
into respective
neighboring window openings 2122 in which the corresponding furring strips
2820 and nuts 2822
are located. The gaskets 2904 can be layered to compensate for a difference
between a width of the
frame 2902 and a width of the corresponding window opening 2122, such as when
the doorway
2900 is a standard size and the corresponding window opening 2122 is a non-
standard size.
Although not adaptable to as wide a range of window opening widths as the
doorway 2702b
described above, the doorway 2900 may be preferred over the doorway 2702b in
some cases for
aesthetic or other reasons.
[00297]
Figure 81 is a top plan view of a collection of rentable units and associated
structures
3000 in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology at the
school building 2100
in the second state taken along the line G-G in Figure 51. As shown in Figure
81, the bathrooms
2216a, 2216b can be accessible from the classrooms 2108a, 2108b via the
respective doorway
openings 2120 of the classrooms 2108a, 2108b. For example, the bathrooms
2216a, 2216b can be
disposed (e.g., removably disposed) within the hallway 2106 adjacent to the
respective doorway
openings 2120 of the classrooms 2108a, 2108b. Furthermore, the respective
doorway opening 2320
of the bathrooms 2216a, 2216b can be aligned with the respective doorway
openings 2120 of the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b. In at least some embodiments, the bathrooms 2216a,
2216b block access
to the classrooms 2108a, 2108b from the main entrance 2104 via the hallway
2106. Similar to the
embodiment illustrated in Figure 76, the plumbing drain lines 2218a, 2218b,
the cold water supply
lines 2220a, 2220b, and the hot water supply lines 2222a, 2222b can be routed
through the hallway
2106 with no need or at least little need for retrofitted openings in the
permanent walls 2102. In the
illustrated embodiment, the bathroom 2216c is removably disposed within the
first compartment
2208. In other embodiments, the bathroom 2216c can be removably disposed
within the hallway
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2106 (e.g., adjacent to the oversized room 2114) and/or have some or all of
the other features
described for the bathrooms 2216a, 2216b in the context of the collection
3000.
[00298] Figure 82 is a top plan view of a collection of rentable units and
associated structures
3100 in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology at the
school building 2100
in the second state taken along the line G-G in Figure 51. As shown in Figure
82, the bathrooms
2216a-2216c can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed) outside the classrooms
2108a, 2108b and
the oversized room 2114, respectively. For example, the bathrooms 2216a-2216c
can be removably
disposed outside and adjacent to respective window openings 2122 of the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b
and the oversized room 2114, respectively. The bathrooms 2216a-2216c can be
accessible from the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the oversized room 2114, respectively, via the
corresponding window
openings 2122 of the classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the oversized room 2114.
Furthermore, the
respective doorway openings 2320 of the bathrooms 2216a-2216c can be aligned
with the
corresponding window openings 2122 of the classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the
oversized room
2114. In at least some embodiments, the bathrooms 2216a-2216c are removably
connected to the
footings 2708a-2708c, respectively, which can have the same or similar
features in the context of
the illustrated embodiment as described above in the context of the embodiment
illustrated in Figure
76. The plumbing drain line 2602, the cold water supply line 2604, and the hot
water supply line
2606 can extend under the bathrooms 2216a-2216c.
[00299] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 53, 75, 76, 81 and 82,
the first, second, and
third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212 are configured at least primarily as
lodging units. In other
embodiments, the first, second, and third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212 can
have other suitable
primary uses. For example, the first, second, and third rentable units 2202,
2204, 2212 can be
rentable residential units for which the furnishings and fixtures illustrated
in Figures 53, 75, 76, 81
and 82 may be well suited. In addition or alternatively, the first, second,
and third rentable units
2202, 2204, 2212 can be rentable office units, rentable assembly units, and/or
rentable units of
another suitable type. For example, Figures 83-85 are top plan view of
respective collections of
rentable units and associated structures 3200, 3300, 3400 in accordance with
additional
embodiments of the present technology at the school building 2100 in the
second state taken along
the line G-G in Figure 51. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 83, the
first, second, and third
rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212 are respective rentable office units. For
example, the collection
3200 can include workstations 3202 and meeting stations 3204 removably
disposed within the
classrooms 2108a, 2108b and the first compartment 2208. In the embodiment
illustrated in Figure
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
84, the first, second, and third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212 are
respective combined lodging and
rentable office units. For example, the collection 3300 can include partitions
3302 that close off the
beds 2240 during work hours. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 85, the
first, second, and
third rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212 are respective assembly units. Numerous
other suitable uses
and configurations of the first, second, and third rentable units 2202, 2204,
2212 in accordance with
embodiments of the present technology are also possible.
[00300]
Figure 86 is a block diagram illustrating a method 3500 for making a given
collection
of rentable units and associated structures in accordance with an embodiment
of the present
technology. It should be understood that the method 3500, when suitable,
and/or portions of the
method 3500, when suitable, can be practiced with respect to any of the
collections 2200, 2550,
2600, 2700, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400 described above with reference to
Figures 53-85 as well
as with respect to other collections in accordance with embodiments of the
present technology.
With reference to Figures 53-86 together, the method 3500 can include
removably disposing the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206 within the oversized room 2114 (block 3502).
Removably
disposing the compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can include removably disposing
the wall
components 2508 within the oversized room 2114, such as over the finished
floor surface 2510 of
the oversized room 2114. Removably disposing the wall components 2508 can
including stacking
and/or interlocking the wall components 2508.
Furthermore, removably disposing the
compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can include disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) the liner 2516
over the finished floor surface 2510. For example, removably disposing the
compartmentalizing
assembly 2206 can include adhesively connecting the liner 2516 to the finished
floor surface 2510.
In addition or alternatively, removably disposing the compartmentalizing
assembly 2206 can
include forming the mass of self-leveling material 2518 within the oversized
room 2114, such as
integrally along most or all of an overall footprint of the compartmentalizing
assembly 2206.
[00301] In
a particular example, forming the mass of self-leveling material 2518 includes
disposing a low-viscosity material into a form. The form can be made in situ,
such as by disposing
a bead of polyurethane foam around an intended perimeter of a footprint of the
compartmentalizing
assembly 2206, or in another suitable manner. After being disposed within the
form, the mass of
self-leveling material 2518 can be allowed to self-level by gravity with or
without vibration or other
processes to expedite the self-leveling process. The mass of self-leveling
material 2518 can then be
at least partially solidified. Forming the mass of self-leveling material 2518
can occur over the liner
2516. After the mass of self-leveling material 2518 has at least partially
solidified, the wall
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
components 2508 can be removably disposed over the mass of self-leveling
material 2518.
Removably disposing the compartmentalizing assembly 2206 can also include
removably disposing
the ceiling panels 2554, the ceiling beams 2556, and/or other suitable ceiling
components within the
oversized room 2114, such as above the first and second compartments 2208,
2210. In this or
another suitable manner, removably disposing the compartmentalizing assembly
2206 can include
removably disposing a thermally conductive ceiling above the first and second
compartments 2208,
2210 and below the airspace 2558.
[00302] The method 3500 can further include retrofitting interior regions
of the school building
2100 for use as at least respective portions of the first, second, third,
fourth, and additional rentable
units 2202, 2204, 2212, 2214, 2215 (block 3504). Retrofitting a given one of
these interior regions
will now be described with the understanding that the described features can
also apply, when
suitable, to retrofitting some or all of the other interior regions.
Retrofitting the given interior
region can include retrofitting the given interior region for lodging use,
residential use, office use,
assembly use, and/or for one or more other suitable uses. In at least some
cases, retrofitting the
given interior region includes installing (e.g., permanently or removably
disposing) a given one of
the bathrooms 2216 in operable association with the given interior region,
such as within or
adjacent to a given one of the classrooms 2108, within or adjacent to the
oversized room 2114,
within or adjacent to the hallway 2106, or outside the school building 2100.
Furthermore, installing
the given bathroom 2216 can include at least substantially reversibly
assembling a set of reusable
bathroom modules to form a first assembly of reusable bathroom modules. For
example, the floor
module 2300 can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed) at a suitable location
within or outside the
school building 2100 and the wall modules 2304 can be removably connected to
the floor module
2300 at a perimeter of the floor module 2300.
[00303] The method 3500 can still further include installing (e.g.,
removably or permanently
disposing) the plumbing drain lines 2218 (block 3506) within and/or outside
the school building
2100 and installing (e.g., removably or permanently disposing) the cold and
hot water supply lines
2220, 2222 within and/or outside the school building 2100 (block 3508). For
example, the method
3500 can include operably connecting the given bathroom 2216 to the plumbing
drain trunk line
2142 via a given one of the plumbing drain lines 2218. This can include
operably connecting the
given plumbing drain line 2218 to the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 via one
or more of the toilet
hookups 2232. Similarly, the method 3500 can include operably connecting the
given bathroom
2216 to the water supply trunk line 2144 via given ones of the cold and hot
water supply lines 2220,
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2222. This can include operably connecting the given cold and hot water supply
lines 2220, 2222 to
the water supply trunk line 2144 via one or more of the sink hookups 2233. The
method 3500 can
also include installing (e.g., removably or permanently disposing) the sewage
detention tank 2234
(block 3510) within or outside the school building 2100 and installing (e.g.,
removably or
permanently disposing) the cold and hot water reservoirs 2236, 2238 within or
outside the school
building 2100 (block 3512). Furthermore, operably connecting the given
bathroom 2216 to the
plumbing drain trunk line 2142 can include operably connecting the given
bathroom 2216 to the
plumbing drain trunk line 2142 via the sewage detention tank 2234, which can
include operably
connecting the sewage detention tank 2234 to the plumbing drain trunk line
2142 via one or more of
the toilet hookups 2232. Similarly, operably connecting the given bathroom
2216 to the water
supply trunk line 2144 can include operably connecting the given cold and hot
water supply lines
2220, 2222 to the water supply trunk line 2144 via the cold and hot water
reservoirs 2236, 2238,
respectively, which can include operably connecting the cold and hot water
reservoirs 2236, 2238 to
the water supply trunk line 2144 via one or more of the sink hookups 2233.
[00304] The
method 3500 can also include retrofitting (e.g., at least substantially
reversibly
retrofitting) a given one of the window openings 2122 (block 3514), such as to
provide direct access
to the corresponding one of the classrooms 2108 or to a corresponding one of
the first and second
compartments 2208, 2210. This can include removing (e.g., temporarily
removing) a corresponding
one of the sashes 2124 from the given window opening 2122. Furthermore,
retrofitting the given
window opening 2122 can include installing (e.g., removably disposing) a given
one of the
doorways 2702, a given one of the exterior stairways 2704, and/or a given one
of the interior
stairways 2706 in operable association with the given window opening 2122. For
example,
installing the given doorway 2702 can include removably inserting and/or
overlaying the given
doorway 2702 into and/or onto the given window opening 2122, respectively.
Installing the given
exterior stairway 2704 can include at least substantially reversibly
assembling a set of reusable
exterior stairway modules to form an assembly of reusable exterior stairway
modules. Similarly,
installing the given interior stairway 2706 can include at least substantially
reversibly assembling a
set of reusable interior stairway modules to form an assembly of reusable
interior stairway modules.
Installing the given exterior stairway 2704 can further include permanently
disposing a given one of
the footings 2708 outside the corresponding window opening 2122 and removably
connecting the
given exterior stairway 2704 to the given footing 2708.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00305] In at least some cases, retrofitting the interior regions is at
least substantially
reversible, and the method 3500 includes reversing some or all of the
retrofits (block 3516). For
example, the method 3500 can include at least partially reversing the
retrofitting of the interior
regions between 5 and 15 weeks after retrofitting the interior regions.
Reversing the retrofitting can
include removing the bathrooms 2216 and furnishings from operable association
with the
corresponding interior regions. Reversing the retrofitting can further include
removing the
doorways 2702, the exterior stairways 2704, and the interior stairways 2706
from operable
association with the corresponding window openings 2122. Reversing the
retrofitting can still
further include replacing the sashes 2124 within the corresponding window
openings 2122,
replacing the doors 2126 within the corresponding doorway openings 2120,
replacing the toilets
2136 within the school bathrooms 2110, and replacing the school desks 2128 and
the school chairs
2130 within the classrooms 2108. Retrofitting the interior regions and at
least partially reversing
the retrofitting of the interior regions can occur between successive academic
sessions of the school
at the school building 2100. For example, the method 3500 can include
repeatedly retrofitting the
interior regions for annually reoccurring temporary use as at least the
portions of corresponding
rentable units during annually reoccurring recesses (e.g., summer recesses) of
the school at the
school building 2100.
[00306] Figure 87 is a block diagram illustrating a method 3600 for
operating a given
collection of rentable units and associated structures in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present technology. It should be understood that the method 3600, when
suitable, and/or portions of
the method 3600, when suitable, can be practiced with respect to any of the
collections 2200, 2550,
2600, 2700, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400 described above with reference to
Figures 53-85 as well
as with respect to other collections in accordance with embodiments of the
present technology.
With reference to Figures 53-87 together, the method 3600 can include
operating the first, second,
third, fourth, and additional rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212, 2214, 2215.
Operating the rentable
units can include providing lodging, rentable residential space, rentable
office space, rentable
assembly space, and/or other suitable types of rentable space at the first,
second, third, fourth, and
additional rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212, 2214, 2215. The first, second,
third, fourth, and
additional rentable units 2202, 2204, 2212, 2214, 2215 can be operated as the
same usage type or as
different usage types. Furthermore, the first, second, third, fourth, and
additional rentable units
2202, 2204, 2212, 2214, 2215 can be operated as more than one usage type
simultaneously or
nearly simultaneously (e.g., as rentable office space during the day and as
lodging at night). The
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non-school uses can be provided in an annually reoccurring manner, such as for
durations of
between 5 and 15 weeks between successive academic sessions of the school at
the school building
2100.
[00307] Operating the rentable units can include providing renter access to
suitable features of
the first, second, third, fourth, and additional rentable units 2202, 2204,
2212, 2214, 2215 described
above. Operating the first rentable unit 2202 will now be described with the
understanding that the
described features can also apply, when suitable, to operating the second,
third, and fourth rentable
units 2204, 2212, 2214, and other rentable units of a given collection.
Operating the first rentable
unit 2202 can include providing renter access to the classroom 2108a (block
3602), such as via the
hallway 2106 and via the doorway opening 2120 of the classroom 2108a, and/or
from the exterior
of the school building 2100 via one of the window openings 2122 of the
classroom 2108a.
Operating the first rentable unit 2202 can further include providing renter
access to the bathroom
2216a (block 3604), such as via one of the window openings 2122 of the
classroom 2108a or via the
doorway opening 2120 of the classroom 2108a. In at least some embodiments,
operating the first
rentable unit 2202 includes providing direct renter access to the classroom
2108a from the exterior
of the school building 2100, such as via one of the window openings 2122 of
the classroom 2108a,
via the doorway 2702a, via the exterior stairway 2704a, and/or via the
interior stairway 2706a.
[00308] The method 3600 can further include flowing waste from the bathroom
2216a toward
the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 via the plumbing drain line 2218a (block
3606). This can occur
at least partially within the hallway 2106 (e.g., over a distance of at least
two meters within the
hallway 2106) and/or at least partially outside the school building 2100
(e.g., over a distance of at
least two meters outside the school building 2100). Furthermore, flowing waste
from the bathroom
2216a toward the plumbing drain trunk line 2142 can include flowing the waste
via one or more of
the toilet hookups 2232. Similarly, flowing waste from the bathroom 2216a
toward the plumbing
drain trunk line 2142 can include flowing the waste via the sewage detention
tank 2234. In these
cases, flowing waste from the bathroom 2216a toward the plumbing drain trunk
line 2142 can
further include flowing waste from the sewage detention tank 2234 toward the
plumbing drain trunk
line 2142, such as via one or more of the toilet hookups 2232.
[00309] The method 3600 can still further include flowing water from the
water supply trunk
line 2144 toward the bathroom 2216a via the cold and hot water supply lines
2220a, 2222a (block
3608). This can occur at least partially within the hallway 2106 (e.g., over a
distance of at least two
meters within the hallway 2106) and/or at least partially outside the school
building 2100 (e.g., over
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
a distance of at least two meters outside the school building 2100).
Furthermore, flowing water
from the water supply trunk line 2144 toward the bathroom 2216a can include
flowing the water via
one or more of the sink hookups 2233 of the school bathroom 2110a. Similarly,
flowing water from
the water supply trunk line 2144 toward the bathroom 2216a can include flowing
the water via the
cold and hot water reservoirs 2236, 2238. In these cases, flowing water from
the water supply trunk
line 2144 toward the bathroom 2216a can further include flowing water from the
water supply trunk
line 2144 toward the cold and hot water reservoirs 2236, 2238, such as via one
or more of the sink
hookups 2233 of the school bathroom 2110a.
[00310] In at least some embodiments, the method 3600 includes operating
the heating system
2560 (block 3610) to heat the airspace 2558 and thereby provide shared below-
room-temperature
baseline heating to the third and fourth rentable units 2212, 2214 via the
thermally conductive
ceiling of the compartmentalizing assembly 2206, when present. Similarly, the
method 3600 can
include operating the heating system 2560 to provide below-room-temperature
baseline heating to
the first and second rentable units 2202, 2204. Like the heating system 2560,
other permanent
systems of the school building 2100 (e.g., electrical systems and water
heating systems) can be
taken offline or remain online while the first, second, third, fourth, and
additional rentable units
2202, 2204, 2212, 2214, 2215 are operated to provide the non-school uses.
Components of the
given collection can modify the capacities or other attributes of these
systems. Examples of
capacity-modifying components include the hot water reservoir 2238 and the
supplemental heaters
2562, among others.
[00311] Also disclosed herein are examples of real estate units including
interior regions of
retrofitted garages (alternatively known as carports) and related technology.
In a particular
embodiment of the present technology, a real estate unit includes an interior
region of a retrofitted
garage, a reusable bathroom removably disposed within the interior region, and
a reusable
fenestrated barrier stationarily and removably disposed between the interior
region and an outdoor
area. The bathroom, barrier, and/or other suitable components of the real
estate unit can be
configured for low-cost deployment, removal, and redeployment. Use of these
components can
allow revenue from operating the real estate unit to exceed costs associated
within transitioning the
garage from its purpose-built use (e.g., storing one or more parked cars) to
an alternative use (e.g.,
lodging, residential, office, and/or assembly use) even if the real estate
unit is only operated for a
short period of time. Thus, an operator of a network of real estate units may
be able to lease a
garage short-term (e.g., monthly) from an owner of the garage and retrofit the
garage for provision
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
of rentable space to third parties with little or no risk of incurring
significant economic loss. Even if
the owner terminates the lease after a short period of time or if demand for
the newly created real
estate unit is lower than expected, most of the capital associated with
retrofitting the garage can be
recoverable. Furthermore, capital embodied in the components can be readily
relocatable in
response to long-term and short-term (e.g., seasonal) changes in demand.
[00312] Among various types of real estate, garages are particularly well
suited to be at least
substantially reversibly retrofitted to accommodate alternative uses. For
example, garages tend to
be well sized for use as individual lodging, residential, office, and/or
assembly units. Garages also
tend to be remarkably consistent and, therefore, potentially compatible with a
standard set of
reusable retrofitting components. As another example, garages tend to be
unfurnished or sparsely
finished in their purpose-built use, which can facilitate retrofitting. As yet
another example, garages
typically have large openings at ground level. These openings can be well
suited for retrofitting to
become sources of natural light and/or points of direct exterior access. As
yet another example,
garages typically have at least one exterior wall well suited for
accommodating retrofitted utility
connections between indoor and outdoor components. Garages compatible with
embodiments of
the present technology can have other desirable attributes in addition to or
instead of the forgoing
attributes. Furthermore, embodiments of the present technology can be
implemented in other types
of real estate, such as other garage-like types of real estate. Examples of
other garage-like types of
real estate include storage spaces (e.g., drive-up mini-storage units) and
loading spaces (e.g.,
loading docks).
[00313] Figure 88 is a front profile view of a house 4100 including a
garage 4102. Figure 89 is
a cross-sectional top plan view of the house 4100 taken along the line H-H in
Figure 88 with the
garage 4102 in a first state. The first state can be a garage-use, original,
unretrofitted, pre-retrofit,
or similar state. With reference to Figures 88 and 89 together, the house 4100
can include
permanent exterior walls 4104 (individually identified as exterior walls 4104a-
41041), permanent
interior walls 4106 (individually identified as interior walls 4106a, 4106b),
a front doorway 4108,
windows 4110, and an interior doorway 4112. The exterior walls 4104g-4104i and
interior walls
4106a, 4106b can define an interior region 4114 of the garage 4102. The
interior doorway 4112 can
extend between the interior region 4114 and an adjacent interior region of the
house 4100. For
simplicity of illustration, interior walls and doorways (other than those
associated with the garage
4102), windows at the sides and back of the house 4100, and interior
furnishings of the house 4100
are not shown. The exterior wall 4104h can have an opening 4116 between the
interior region 4114
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
and the outdoor area 4118. The outdoor area 4118 can be a driveway and/or
parking area.
Furthermore, the opening 4116 can be sized to permit passage of a car between
the interior region
4114 and the outdoor area 4118. For example, the opening 4116 can have a width
within a range
from 2 meters to 7 meters (e.g., from 4 meters to 6 meters). The house 4100
can further include an
overhead door 4120 movably disposed at the opening 4116.
[00314] Figure 90 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 89. As shown
in Figure 90, the
garage 4102 can include a door track 4122 at the opening 4116. The overhead
door 4120 can be
operably connected to the door track 4122. The garage 4102 can further include
a hose bibb 4124 at
an exterior side of the exterior wall 4104g. Although the house 4100 in the
illustrated embodiment
is a single-family house and the garage 4102 is an attached garage, it should
be understood that, in
other embodiments, another type of primary building (e.g., a multi-family
residential building) can
be substituted for the house 4100 and/or a detached garage can be substituted
for the garage 4102.
Furthermore, although the garage 4102 in the illustrated embodiment is a two-
car garage, in other
embodiments, a counterpart of the garage 4102 can be a one-car garage, a three-
car garage, or a
garage of another suitable type.
[00315] Figure 91 is a cross-sectional top plan view corresponding to the
portion of Figure 89
shown in Figure 90 and showing a real estate unit 4126 in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present technology. The real estate unit 4126 can include the interior region
4114 in a second state,
which can be an alternative-use, non-original, retrofitted, post-retrofit, or
similar state. In at least
some embodiments, the garage 4102 is retrofitted (e.g., at least substantially
reversibly retrofitted)
to accommodate a non-garage alternative use (e.g., a lodging, residential,
office, and/or assembly
use) at the interior region 4114. The real estate unit 4126 can further
include the outdoor area 4118,
which can be retrofitted (e.g., at least substantially reversibly retrofitted)
for courtyard use and/or
another suitable use ancillary to the alternative use of the interior region
4114. The retrofitting of
the interior region 4114 can occur well after (e.g., at least 20 years after)
the garage 4102 was
originally constructed.
[00316] The real estate unit 4126 can include retrofits (e.g., at least
substantially reversible
retrofits) to the garage 4102 that change the garage 4102 from being well
suited for garage use to
being well suited for the alternative use. In at least some cases, reversal of
all or a portion of these
retrofits returns the garage 4102 from being well suited for the alternative
use to again being well
suited for the garage use. Examples of reversible retrofits include removing,
installing, and
relocating furniture and fixtures with little or no associated demolition of
the exterior walls 4104g-
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4104i and interior walls 4106a, 4106b or other permanent fabric of the garage
4102. The garage
4102 can be substantially reversibly retrofitted to accommodate the real
estate unit 4126. For
example, a total cost of reversible retrofits to the garage 4102 (e.g., a
present value of at least
substantially reversibly installed reusable components) for a given
transformation from being well
suited for garage use to being well suited for an alternative use can be
greater (e.g., at least 50%
greater or at least 100% greater) than a total cost of permanent retrofits to
the garage 4102 (e.g.
modifications to the permanent fabric of the garage 4102) for the given
transformation. Capital
associated with the alternative use can be readily re-deployable after the
alternative use. In some
cases, the alternative use and the real estate unit 4126 are active for one
year or less (e.g., six
months or less) between successive transformations. In other cases, the
alternative use and the real
estate unit 4126 can have longer durations or even be permanent.
[00317] As shown in Figure 91, the real estate unit 4126 can include a
bathroom 4127 disposed
(e.g., removably disposed) within the interior region 4114. The bathroom 4127
can include a sink
4128, a toilet 4129, and a bath 4130. In some embodiments, the bathroom 4127
is reusable and
removably disposed within the interior region 4114. For example, unlike a
conventional bathroom
that can only be installed by heavy construction and removed by heavy
demolition, the bathroom
4127 can be configured to be installed with little or no need for heavy
construction and removed
with little or no need for heavy demolition. Furthermore, the bathroom 4127
can be configured to
be conveniently transported and reused after its removal. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
bathroom 4127 is an assembly of reusable bathroom modules configured for rapid
deployment into
and removal from the interior region 4114 in an at least partially
disassembled state. For example,
the bathroom 4127 can be made up mostly or entirely of reusable modular
components. In other
embodiments, a counterpart of the bathroom 4127 can be portable and configured
for rapid
deployment into and removal from the interior region 4114 without significant
disassembly. This
deployment and removal can occur by forklift, by dolly, by operation of wheels
integrated into the
counterpart of the bathroom 4127, or in another suitable manner. In still
other embodiments, a
counterpart of the bathroom 4127 can have other suitable forms. As shown in
Figure 91, the
bathroom 4127 can be positioned within the interior region 4114 such that it
blocks access to the
interior doorway 4112. This can be useful, for example, to form a robust
separation between the
interior region 4114 and other portions of the house 4100.
[00318] The real estate unit 4126 can further include a barrier 4131
disposed between the
interior region 4114 and the outdoor area 4118. For example, a path permitting
a renter of the real
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
estate unit 4126 to move between the interior region 4114 and the outdoor area
4118 can extend
through the opening 4116 and through the barrier 4131. Furthermore, the
barrier 4131 can be
stationarily disposed between the interior region 4114 and the outdoor area
4118. For example,
unlike the overhead door 4120, which is typically configured to move on a
regular basis during
normal operation of the garage 4102 in the first state, the barrier 4131 can
be configured to remain
at least substantially stationary during normal operation of the real estate
unit 4126. The barrier
4131 can be fenestrated and can include windows 4132 that allow natural light
to enter the interior
region 4114 from the outdoor area 4118. The barrier 4131 can further include a
door 4133. In at
least some embodiments, the barrier 4131 is foldable to facilitate its
transport and storage when not
in use. For example, the barrier 4131 can be foldable along vertical seams
(not shown) between
neighboring windows 4132 and/or between the door 4133 and windows 4132
neighboring the door
4133.
[00319] The barrier 4131 can be reusable and removably disposed between the
interior region
4114 and the outdoor area 4118. For example, the barrier 4131 can be
configured to be installed
with little or no need for heavy construction and removed with little or no
need for heavy
demolition. Furthermore, the barrier 4131 can be configured to be conveniently
transported and
reused after its removal. In the illustrated embodiment, the barrier 4131 is
rigid, portable and
configured for rapid deployment into and removal from operable association
with the interior region
4114 without significant disassembly. This deployment and removal can occur by
forklift, by dolly,
by operation of wheels (not shown) integrated into the barrier 4131, or in
another suitable manner.
In other embodiments, a counterpart of the barrier 4131 can be an assembly of
reusable barrier
modules configured for rapid deployment into and removal from between the
interior region 4114
and the outdoor area 4118 in an at least partially disassembled state. For
example, a counterpart of
the barrier 4131 can be made up mostly or entirely of reusable modular
components.
[00320] With reference again to Figure 91, the real estate unit 4126 can
include a courtyard
4134 at the outdoor area 4118. For example, the real estate unit 4126 can
include an exterior
enclosure 4135 including wall components 4136 and a gate 4138 disposed at a
perimeter portion of
the courtyard 4134. The wall components 4136, the gate 4138, and/or other
suitable components of
the exterior enclosure 4135 can be reusable and removably disposed at the
perimeter portion of the
courtyard 4134. For example, the exterior enclosure 4135 can be made up mostly
or entirely of
reusable modular components. As discussed in further detail below, the wall
components 4136 can
be stacked and/or interlocking within the exterior enclosure 4135.
Furthermore, the wall
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
components 4136 can be planters that support vegetation 4140. For example, the
wall components
4136 can internally support a root system (not shown) of the vegetation 4140.
Thus, the exterior
enclosure 4135 can include living walls.
[00321] In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 4126 is
configured to be mostly off-
grid (i.e., independent of service connections to local utilities). This
configuration can be useful, for
example, to avoid costs and complications associated with utility hookups, to
reduce the
environmental impact of the real estate unit 4126, to facilitate efficient
management of the real
estate unit 4126, to reduce costs associated with maintaining the real estate
unit 4126 during periods
of nonuse or low use, and/or for other reasons. In other embodiments, a
counterpart of the real
estate unit 4126 can be mostly or entirely on-grid (i.e., dependent on service
connections to local
utilities).
[00322] With reference again to Figure 91, the real estate unit 4126 can
include a dock 4142
removably disposed outside the interior region 4114. The dock 4142 can be
above-ground (as
illustrated) or below-ground (e.g., disposed within a pit). At the dock 4142,
the real estate unit 4126
can include a heat pump 4144, an exhaust filter 4146, a blackwater tank 4148,
a water reservoir
4150, a water heater 4152, a greywater filter 4154, a wireless router 4156, a
battery 4158, a trash
bin 4160, a recycling bin 4162, and a laundry bin 4164. The water reservoir
4150 can be operably
connected to the hose bibb 4124 and can be configured to increase a capacity
of the hose bibb 4124
to supply water to the bathroom 4127, such as by attenuating spikes in demand
for water from the
bathroom 4127. In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 4126 is
configured to separately
manage removal and disposal of blackwater (e.g., wastewater from the toilet
4129) and greywater
(e.g., wastewater from the sink 4128 and the bath 4130). In other embodiments,
a counterpart of the
real estate unit 4126 can be configured to collectively manage removal and
disposal of blackwater
and greywater. Accordingly, the blackwater tank 4148 can be more generally
referred to as a
sewage tank indicating that it can be configured to receive primarily
blackwater, primarily
greywater, or both blackwater and greywater.
[00323] With reference again to Figure 91, the exhaust filter 4146, the
blackwater tank 4148,
the battery 4158, the trash bin 4160, the recycling bin 4162, and the laundry
bin 4164 can be
removably connected to the dock 4142 or otherwise removably disposed within or
outside the
interior region 4114. In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 4126
is configured to
operate on-grid with respect to a water supply (i.e. because the water
reservoir 4150 is operably
connected (for replenishment) to a water service for the house 4100 via the
hose bibb 4124) and
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
configured to be off-grid with respect to an electrical supply and disposal of
blackwater from the
toilet 4129. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the real estate unit 4126
can be off-grid with
respect to water supply (e.g., because the water reservoir 4150 is configured
to be independently
refilled or swapped), on-grid with respect to electrical supply (e.g., because
the battery 4158 is
operably connected (e.g., for recharging) to an electrical service for the
house 4100), and/or on-grid
with respect to sewage disposal (e.g. because the blackwater tank 4148 is
operably connected (e.g.,
for draining) to a municipal sewage line for the house 4100).
[00324] With reference again to Figure 91, the real estate unit 4126 can be
configured to
receive occasional servicing. This servicing can be include collecting
backwater, trash, recyclables,
and laundry (e.g., for cleaning and return) from the blackwater tank 4148, the
trash bin 4160, the
recycling bin 4162, and the laundry bin 4164, respectively. The servicing can
also include
recharging the battery 4158. In at least some cases, the blackwater tank 4148
is configured to be
swapped for removal of blackwater from the real estate unit 4126. Similarly,
the battery 4158 can
be configured to be swapped for replenishment of an electrical supply to the
real estate unit 4126.
This can reduce or eliminate the need for recharging the battery 4158. A less-
full replacement for
the blackwater tank 4148, a more-fully-charged replacement for the battery
4158, and/or other
suitable replacements for components of the real estate unit 4126 can be
delivered to the real estate
unit 4126 by truck or in another suitable manner. The replaced components can
be collected in the
same or a different manner and transported to a central location where the
components can be
efficiently processed (e.g., emptied, cleaned, recharged, etc.) for reuse.
This delivery and collection
can occur on a regular schedule (e.g., daily, every-other-day, etc.), as
needed, and/or on demand.
[00325] The dock 4142 can include sensors 4166 (individually identified as
sensors 4166a-
4166f) operably connected to the blackwater tank 4148, the water reservoir
4150, the battery 4158,
the trash bin 4160, the recycling bin 4162, and the laundry bin 4164,
respectively. The sensors
4166 can be wirelessly connected to a remote server 4168 via the router 4156
and a network 4170
(e.g., the Internet). The server 4168 can include software that automatically
processes data from the
sensors 4166 to determine when servicing of the real estate unit 4126 is
required. For example, data
from the sensor 4166a may indicate that the blackwater tank 4148 is at 75% of
capacity and needs
to be drained or swapped promptly. As another example, data from the sensor
4166b may indicate
that the water reservoir 4150 is being depleted faster than it can be
replenished via the hose bibb
4124 and, therefore, needs to be independently replenished promptly. As yet
another example, data
from the sensor 4166c may indicate that the battery 4158 is at 25% of capacity
and needs to be
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
recharged or swapped promptly. Over time, aggregate data from the sensors 4166
can be analyzed
to establish default servicing intervals for the real estate unit 4126. In
addition or alternatively, data
from the sensors 4166 can be used to calculate utility usage for the real
estate unit 4126 for
purposes of environmental reporting and/or billing a renter of the real estate
unit 4126. Each of the
individual sensors 4166a-4166f can be of a suitable type for monitoring the
corresponding
component of the real estate unit 4126. For example, the sensors 4166a, 4166b,
4166d-4166f,
individually, can be weight sensors, level sensors, or other types of sensors
configured to measure
fullness of the blackwater tank 4148, the water reservoir 4150, the trash bin
4160, the recycling bin
4162, and the laundry bin 4164, respectively. As another example, the sensor
4166c can be a
charge meter or another type of sensor configured to measure a charge of the
battery 4158.
[00326] The
real estate unit 4126 can include suitable utility lines and other connections
that
extend from components of the real estate unit 4126 within the interior region
4114 to components
of the real estate unit 4126 or other structures outside of the interior
region 4114. For example, the
real estate unit 4126 can include a heater/cooler 4172 within the interior
region 4114, and
refrigerant lines 4174 extending between the heater/cooler 4172 and the heat
pump 4144. The real
estate unit 4126 can further include an electrical outlet 4176 serving the
interior region 4114, and an
electrical line 4178 extending between the electrical outlet 4176 and the
battery 4158. The battery
4158, therefore, can be configured to power an appliance (not shown) within
the interior region
4114 via the electrical outlet 4176 and the electrical line 4178. As
additional examples of suitable
utility lines, the real estate unit 4126 can include a blackwater drain line
4180 extending between
the bathroom 4127 and the blackwater tank 4148, a cold water supply line 4182
extending between
the bathroom 4127 and the water reservoir 4150, a hot water supply line 4184
extending between
the bathroom 4127 and the water heater 4152, a greywater drain line 4186
extending between the
bathroom 4127 and the greywater filter 4154, a plumbing ventilation line 4188
extending between
the bathroom 4127 and the exhaust filter 4146, and an exhaust line 4190 also
extending between the
bathroom 4127 and the exhaust filter 4146. The blackwater drain line 4180 and
the greywater drain
line 4186 can be sloped to convey liquid waste from the bathroom 4127 toward
the blackwater tank
4148 and the greywater filter 4154, respectively, at least partially by
gravity. To facilitate this
sloping and/or for other reasons, the bathroom 4127 can have a floor level at
least 0.5 meter (e.g., at
least 1 meter) higher than an underlying floor level of the interior region
4114. In the illustrated
embodiment, the blackwater drain line 4180 and the greywater drain line 4186
are separate. In
other embodiments, a counterpart of the real estate unit 4126 can include
combined blackwater and
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
greywater lines. Accordingly, the blackwater drain line 4180 and the greywater
drain line 4186 can
be more generally referred to as a plumbing drain lines indicating that they
can be configured to
convey primarily blackwater, primarily greywater, or both blackwater and
greywater.
[00327] The real estate unit 4126 can further include a trash hatch 4192, a
recycling hatch
4194, and a laundry hatch 4196 within the interior region 4114. The real
estate unit 4126 can also
include a trash chute 4198 extending between the trash hatch 4192 and the
trash bin 4160, a
recycling chute 4200 extending between the recycling hatch 4194 and the
recycling bin 4162, and a
laundry chute 4202 extending between the laundry hatch 4196 and the laundry
bin 4164. The
refrigerant lines 4174, electrical line 4178, blackwater drain line 4180, cold
water supply line 4182,
hot water supply line 4184, greywater drain line 4186, plumbing ventilation
line 4188, exhaust line
4190, trash chute 4198, recycling chute 4200, and laundry chute 4202 can
extend through the
exterior wall 4104g. For example, some or all of these lines and chutes can
extend through
retrofitted openings in the exterior wall 4104g. In at least some embodiments,
these openings are
readily patchable to facilitate returning the interior region 4114 to garage
use if the real estate unit
4126 is decommissioned. The lines and chutes can be removably disposed inside
and/or outside the
interior region 4114. For example, the lines and chutes can be temporary and
configured for reuse
or disposal upon decommissioning of the real estate unit 4126. In at least
some embodiments, the
blackwater drain line 4180 and the greywater drain line 4186 extend above-
floor and then above-
ground from the bathroom 4127 toward the blackwater tank 4148 and the
greywater filter 4154,
respectively.
[00328] The dock 4142 can include additional lines, connections, and other
suitable
components ancillary to the components of the real estate unit 4126 at the
dock 4142. For example,
the dock 4142 can include a housing 4204 that provides security and protection
from weather to
components of the real estate unit 4126 at the dock 4142. The housing 4204 can
include a lid (not
shown) configured to be open when the real estate unit 4126 is being serviced
and closed and
locked when the real estate unit 4126 is not being serviced. In at least some
embodiments, the lid
includes solar panels (also not shown) operably connected to the battery 4158.
The dock 4142 can
further include couplings along some or all of the lines and chutes described
above. These
couplings can separate portions of the lines and chutes within the housing
4204 from portions of the
lines and chutes outside the housing 4204. Thus, by operation of these
couplings, the dock 4142
can be transportable as a unit with little or no need to modify internal
portions of the dock 4142 in
the field. For example, the dock 4142 can be pre-manufactured with the
internal components shown
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
in Figure 91, installed at the location shown in Figure 91, and then connected
up to portions of the
associated lines and chutes outside of the housing 4204.
[00329] The dock 4142 can further include couplings that facilitate
convenient removal and
replacement (e.g., swapping) of the blackwater tank 4148, the battery 4158,
the trash bin 4160, the
recycling bin 4162, and the laundry bin 4164. For example, the dock 4142 can
include a blackwater
drain quick-connect coupling 4206 through which the blackwater tank 4148 is
fluidically connected
to the blackwater drain line 4180 and the bathroom 4127. In at least some
embodiments, the drain
quick-connect coupling 4206 includes a check valve. Similarly, the dock 4142
can include an
electrical quick-connect coupling 4208 through which the battery 4158 is
electrically connected to
the electrical line 4178 and the electrical outlet 4176. The dock 4142 can
also include a floor 4210
having pads 4212 (individually identified as pads 4212a-4212e) that facilitate
convenient
registration of the blackwater tank 4148, the battery 4158, the trash bin
4160, the recycling bin
4162, and the laundry bin 4164 with the blackwater drain quick-connect
coupling 4206, the
electrical quick-connect coupling 4208, the trash chute 4198, the recycling
chute 4200, and the
laundry chute 4202, respectively. For example, the pads 4212a-4212e can be
insets in the floor
4210 that snuggly receive corresponding lower portions of the blackwater tank
4148, the battery
4158, the trash bin 4160, the recycling bin 4162, and the laundry bin 4164,
respectively.
[00330] As shown in Figure 91, the dock 4142 can include a potable water
inlet 4214 and a
greywater outlet 4216. The real estate unit 4126 can include a first hose 4218
extending between
the hose bibb 4124 and the potable water inlet 4214. The real estate unit 4126
can further include
sprinkler 4220 and a second hose 4222 extending between the greywater outlet
4216 and the
sprinkler 4220. The exterior enclosure 4135 can include a greywater inlet 4224
fluidically
connected to a branch 4226 of the second hose 4222. Filtered greywater can be
distributed to
support grass or other vegetation (not shown) via the sprinkler 4220, and
distributed to support the
vegetation 4140 via an internal distribution system (e.g., a network of hoses;
not shown) of the
exterior enclosure 4135. The dock 4142 can include internal plumbing (e.g.,
under the floor 4210;
not shown) fluidically connecting the water reservoir 4150 and the potable
water inlet 4214, and
fluidically connecting the greywater filter 4154 and the greywater outlet
4216. In at least some
embodiments, this internal plumbing includes a pump (not shown). The dock 4142
can further
include an exhaust output fan 4228 and an internal duct 4230 extending between
the exhaust output
fan 4228 and the exhaust filter 4146. The dock 4142 can also include an
inverter 4232 operably
connected to the electrical line 4178.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00331] The real estate unit 4126 can be furnished or otherwise outfitted
with suitable
furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc. to accommodate its non-garage
alternative use. In the
illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 4126 is a lodging and/or
residential unit with suitable
furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc. within the interior region 4114 to
accommodate lodging
and/or residential use of the interior region 4114. These furnishings,
fixtures, accessories, etc. can
include a bed 4234, a side table 4236, shelving units 4238 (individually
identified as shelving units
4238a-4238d), a writing table 4240, a chair 4242, a sofa 4244, a coffee table
4246, a television
4248, a kitchenette 4250, a refrigerator 4252, and a set of step stairs 4254.
The kitchenette 4250
and the set of step stairs 4254 can be operably associated with the bathroom
4127. The real estate
unit 4126 can further include a closet 4256 disposed (e.g., removably
disposed) within the interior
region 4114. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the real estate unit 4126
can include other
suitable furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc. As described in further
detail below, real estate units
in accordance with other embodiments of the present technology can be rentable
office units,
rentable assembly units, and/or have other suitable primarily uses in addition
to or instead of
lodging and/or residential uses. Furthermore, rentable real estate units in
accordance with
embodiments of the present technology can be directly rentable, rentable via a
membership system
(e.g., in a member-based network of real estate units), rentable under short-
term use arrangements
(e.g., lodging arrangements), and/or rentable in another suitable manner.
[00332] Figure 92 is an enlarged view of a first portion of Figure 91
showing the barrier 4131.
Figures 93 and 94 are, respectively, a cross-sectional exterior side profile
view and a cross-sectional
interior side profile view of a portion of the real estate unit 4126
corresponding to the first portion
of Figure 91 shown in Figure 92. With reference to Figures 91-94 together, the
barrier 4131 can
include a first mass of self-leveling material 4300 (e.g., a first disposable
mass of hardened self-
leveling grout) underlying the barrier 4131. The first mass of self-leveling
material 4300 can be
molded and, in at least some cases, is integrally formed along most or all of
an overall footprint of
the barrier 4131. During formation of the first mass of self-leveling material
4300, the constituent
self-leveling material can be of sufficiently low viscosity to level itself by
gravity. Thus, the first
mass of self-leveling material 4300 can automatically conform to slopes, dips,
and/or other
irregularities in a ground surface at which the barrier 4131 is installed.
[00333] In at least some embodiments, the outdoor area 4118 has a paved
surface 4301 that is
not level. The exterior enclosure 4135 can include a second mass of self-
leveling material 4302
(e.g., a second disposable mass of hardened self-leveling grout) underlying
the wall components
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
4136. Similar to the first mass of self-leveling material 4300, the second
mass of self-leveling
material 4302 can be molded and, in at least some cases, is integrally formed
along most or all of an
overall footprint of the exterior enclosure 4135. During formation of the
second mass of self-
leveling material 4302, the constituent self-leveling material can be of
sufficiently low viscosity to
level itself by gravity. Thus, the second mass of self-leveling material 4302
can automatically
conform to slopes, dips, and/or other irregularities in the paved surface
4301. When at least
partially cured, the second mass of self-leveling material 4302 can provide
the exterior enclosure
4135 with a reliably level surface that facilitates vertical stacking of the
wall components 4136.
[00334] As
shown in Figure 93, the exterior enclosure 4135 can include base blocks 4304
between the second mass of self-leveling material 4302 and the lowermost row
of the wall
components 4136. The wall components 4136 can be hollow and can contain
planting medium
4306. The base blocks 4304 can also be hollow and can include antimicrobial
medium 4308. The
exterior enclosure 4135 can further include a soaker hose 4309 that receives
filtered greywater from
the branch 4226 of the second hose 4222. In the illustrated embodiment, the
soaker hose 4309 is
loosely disposed in a serpentine manner at an upper portion of an uppermost
row of the wall
components 4136 within the exterior enclosure 4135. The soaker hose 4309 can
distribute filtered
greywater throughout the planting medium 4306 at the uppermost row of the wall
components
4136. Once the planting medium 4306 at the uppermost row of the wall
components 4136 is
saturated, the filtered greywater can move by gravity and/or capillary action
to the planting medium
4306 at a second-to-uppermost row of the wall components 4136 within the
exterior enclosure
4135. This process can continue until the filtered greywater reaches the
antimicrobial medium
4308. The antimicrobial medium 4308 can be a synthetic sponge or other
suitable substrate that
reduces or eliminates pools of the excess filtered greywater from developing
within the base blocks
4304. Excess filtered greywater within the antimicrobial medium 4308 can drain
from the base
blocks 4304 onto the paved surface 4301 and along the paved surface 4301 to a
storm drain (not
shown). In other embodiments, the filtered greywater can be distributed
through the exterior
enclosure 4135 in another suitable manner. For example, a counterpart of the
exterior enclosure
4135 can include separate soaker hoses at respective rows of wall components
4136. These soaker
hoses can be connected to the branch 4226 of the second hose 4222 via a
manifold. In still other
embodiments, a counterpart of the exterior enclosure 4135 can have an
irrigation system that uses
freshwater instead of filtered greywater, or no irrigation system at all.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00335] With reference again to Figures 91-94 together, the barrier 4131
can include a frame
4310, hinges 4312 operably connecting the door 4133 and the frame 4310 to one
another, and a
handle 4314 that facilitates operation of the door 4133 from outside the
interior region 4114. The
barrier 4131 can further include a smart lock 4316 configured to allow a
renter of the real estate unit
4126 to unlock the door 4133 by operation of a mobile device (e.g. a mobile
phone), by entering a
passcode, by providing a biometric identification (e.g., a fingerprint), or in
another suitable manner.
The barrier 4131 can be removably fastened to the exterior wall 4104h. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the barrier 4131 is removably bolted to the exterior wall 4104h.
In other
embodiments, a counterpart of the barrier 4131 can be removably screwed to the
exterior wall
4104h, removably clamped to the exterior wall 4104h, and/or removably fastened
to the exterior
wall 4104h in another suitable manner in addition to or instead of being
removably bolted to the
exterior wall 4104h. In still other embodiments, a counterpart of the barrier
4131 can be
permanently installed at the exterior wall 4104h.
[00336] With reference again to Figures 91-94, the barrier 4131 can include
a gasket 4318
disposed between the frame 4310 and the exterior wall 4104h. The gasket 4318
can be
compressible such that it conforms to irregularities in the exterior wall
4104h and thereby enhances
a weather resistance of a connection between the barrier 4131 and the exterior
wall 4104h. The
barrier 4131 can further include bolts 4320 that extend through the frame
4310, through the gasket
4318, and through the exterior wall 4104h. At an inside surface of the
exterior wall 4104h, the
barrier 4131 can include furring strips 4322 through which the bolts 4320 also
extend, and nuts
4324 operably connected to the bolts 4320 and bearing on the furring strips
4322. In the illustrated
embodiment, the barrier 4131 is an overlay that covers the opening 4116 at an
exterior side of the
exterior wall 4104h. In other embodiments, the barrier 4131 can have another
suitable form and/or
position relative to the opening 4116. For example, rather than being disposed
at the exterior side
of the exterior wall 4104h, a counterpart of the barrier 4113 can be disposed
at an interior side of
the exterior wall 4104h.
[00337] As shown in Figure 94, in the illustrated embodiment, the overhead
door 4120 is
stowed within the interior region 4114 in an open state. For example, the door
track 4122 can
remain in place after the garage 4102 is retrofitted for an alternative use. A
motor (not shown)
operably connected to the overhead door 4120 can be temporarily disabled so
that the overhead
door 4120 remains out-of-service during operation of the real estate unit
4126. Leaving the
overhead door 4120 and the door track 4122 in place after the garage 4102 is
retrofitted for an
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
alternative use can be useful, for example, to reduce an investment necessary
to return the interior
region 4114 to garage use, as needed. In other embodiments, the overhead door
4120 can be
removed from the interior region 4114 when the garage 4102 is retrofitted for
an alternative use. In
still other embodiments, a counterpart of the overhead door 4120 can be
retrofitted with windows
and/or a doorway. In these embodiments, the counterpart of the overhead door
4120 can take the
place of the barrier 4131.
[00338] Figure 95 is a top plan view corresponding to the first portion of
Figure 91 shown in
Figure 92 and showing a barrier 4350 of a real estate unit in accordance with
another embodiment
of the present technology. In contrast to the barrier 4131 shown in Figures 91-
94, the barrier 4350
is an inset rather than an overlay. For example, the barrier 4350 can be
disposed within the opening
4116 rather than at an exterior or interior side of the exterior wall 4104h.
As shown in Figure 95,
the barrier 4350 can include a frame 4352 that is narrower than the opening
4116. The barrier 4350
can further include a gasket 4354 disposed between the frame 4352 and
sidewalls of the opening
4116. The barrier 4350 can also include screws 4356 extending laterally into
portions of the
exterior wall 4104h on opposite sides of the opening 4116. The gasket 4354 can
be layered to
compensate for a difference between a width of the frame 4352 and a width of
the opening 4116,
such as when the barrier 4350 is a standard size and the opening 4116 is a non-
standard size.
Although not adaptable to as wide a range of opening widths as the barrier
4131 described above,
the barrier 4350 may be preferred over the barrier 4131 in some cases for
aesthetic or other reasons.
[00339] Figure 96 is an enlarged view of a second portion of Figure 91
showing the exterior
enclosure 4135. Figures 97 and 98 are cross-sectional exterior side profile
views of a portion of the
real estate unit 4126 corresponding to the second portion of Figure 91 shown
in Figure 96 with the
vegetation 4140 shown and not shown, respectively. Figure 99 is an enlarged
view of a third
portion of Figure 91. Figures 100 and 101 are cross-sectional exterior side
profile views of a
portion of the real estate unit 4126 corresponding to the third portion of
Figure 91 shown in Figure
99 with the vegetation 4140 shown and not shown, respectively. Figure 102 is
an enlarged view of
a portion of Figure 98. With reference to Figures 91-94 and 96-102 together,
the exterior enclosure
4135 can include staggered rows of the wall components 4136. For example, the
wall components
4136 at corners of the exterior enclosure 4135 distant from the exterior wall
4104h can alternate
row-to-row between larger and smaller L-shapes. Similarly, the wall components
4136 at portions
of the exterior enclosure 4135 closest to the exterior wall 4104h can
alternate row-to-row between
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
larger and smaller rectangular shapes. Elsewhere within the exterior enclosure
4135, the wall
components 4136 can have the larger rectangular shape.
[00340] The overall exterior enclosure 4135 can be self-supporting and/or
free-standing. As
shown in Figure 102, the wall components 4136 can be stacked within the
exterior enclosure 4135.
Furthermore, the wall components 4136 can be interlocking within the exterior
enclosure 4135. For
example, the individual wall components 4136 can include downwardly extending
flanges 4400 that
are received within successively lower wall components 4136. The base blocks
4304 can be
configured to receive the flanges 4400 of the wall components 4136 within a
lowest row of wall
components 4136 within the exterior enclosure 4135. As discussed above, the
wall components
4136 can be planters. In at least some embodiments, the wall components 4136
include apertures
4402 through which the vegetation 4140 grows outwardly from roots (not shown)
within the wall
components 4136. The apertures 4402 can be large enough to allow passage of
bulbs, cuttings,
seedlings, etc. (not just seeds) into the planting medium 4306 after the
exterior enclosure 4135 is
assembled. For example, the individual apertures 4402 can have a width greater
than 2 centimeters,
such as a width within a range from 2 to 8 centimeters. As discussed above,
the exterior enclosure
4135 can be configured to facilitate distribution of filtered greywater
throughout the planting
medium 4306. The base blocks 4304 can include holes 4406 through which excess
filtered
greywater exits the exterior enclosure 4135.
[00341] As shown in Figure 97, the apertures 4402 can be differentially
planted to form a brand
identifier 4404 (e.g., a trade and/or service mark) or other suitable design
at an exterior side (e.g.,
street-facing side) of the exterior enclosure 4135. Differential planting can
include selectively
planting the apertures 4402 with multiple types of plants and/or selectively
planting and not
planting the apertures 4402 with a single type of plant. For example, the non-
planted apertures
4402 can be capped. Forming a brand identifier 4404 by differential planting
can be useful to
balance aesthetic considerations in a neighborhood setting with the need for
clear communication of
a brand associated with the real estate unit 4126 to consumers. The apertures
4402 can collectively
form an array that facilitates forming the brand identifier 4404 in a
consistent manner when the real
estate unit 4126 is one of many real estate units for which the brand
identifier 4404 is applicable.
For example, a given aperture 4402 can be planted with a predetermined plant
depending on its
position within the array according to a reproducible plan. A template (not
shown) can be
temporarily placed over the exterior side of the exterior enclosure 4135 and
registered to the array
to facilitate rapid execution of the plan with little or no need for
customized execution of the plan in
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
the field. Furthermore, using relatively large and/or more mature plantings
can allow the vegetation
4140 to be formed more efficiently and/or with less lead time than would be
the case using seeds.
[00342] Figure 103 is side profile view of a given one of the wall
components 4136. Figure
104 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the given wall component 4136 taken
along the line 104-
104 in Figure 103. Figure 105 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the
given wall component
4136 taken along the line 105-105 in Figure 103. Figure 106 is a cross-
sectional end plan view of
the given wall component 4136 taken along the line 106-106 in Figure 103.
Figure 107 is an
enlarged view of a portion of Figure 106. The given wall component 4136 is of
the large
rectangular type. In at least some embodiments, other (e.g., most or all) of
the wall components
4136 of the large rectangular type within the exterior enclosure 4135 at least
substantially match the
given wall component 4136. Furthermore, wall component 4136 of other types
(e.g., small
rectangular, large L-shaped, small L-shaped, etc.) can have the same or
similar features as the
features of the given wall component 4136. With reference to Figures 103-107
together, the given
wall component 4136 can include a rigid shell 4408, a package 4410 removably
disposed within the
shell 4408, and a rigid plate 4412 also removably disposed within the shell
4408. The package
4410 can contain the planting medium 4306 in a tidy form. The plate 4412 can
support the package
4410.
[00343] In at least some embodiments, the shell 4408 is collapsible from an
expanded state to a
compact (e.g., at least partially flattened) state. For example, at corners
where the first and second
side panels 4414, 4416 and the first and second end panels 4418, 4420 meet,
the given wall
component 4136 can include hinges (not shown), such as flexure bearings or
piano hinges, that
allow each corner to fold in a direction that causes the first and second side
panels 4414, 4416 and
the first and second end panels 4418, 4420 to at least partially flatten. This
feature can facilitate
efficient storage and transport of the shell 4408 before and/or after its
deployment at the real estate
unit 4126. In at least some embodiments, the plate 4412 helps to hold the
shell 4408 in the
expanded state. As shown in Figure 107, a lowermost portion of the first side
panel 4414 can
overlap an uppermost portion of one the flanges 4400. The plate 4412 can rest
on upper edges of
the flanges 4400.
[00344] The shell 4408 can include a first side panel 4414 and an opposite
second side panel
4416 parallel to and spaced apart from the first side panel 4414. Similarly,
the given wall
component 4136 can include a first end panel 4418 and an opposite second end
panel 4420 parallel
to and spaced apart from the first end panel 4418. The first and second side
panels 4414, 4416 and
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the first and second end panels 4418, 4420 can define an interior region of
the given wall
component 4136 shaped, for example, as a rectangular solid. The apertures 4402
can extend
through the shell 4408 at the first and second side panels 4414, 4416.
Alternatively, the apertures
4402 can extend through the shell 4408 at only the first side panel 4414 or at
only the second side
panel 4416 if the vegetation 4140 is only desired at one or the other of the
interior and exterior sides
of the exterior enclosure 4135.
[00345] The given wall component 4136 can include two of the flanges 4400
at the first side
panel 4414 and another two of the flanges 4400 at the second side panel 4416.
As shown in Figure
106, the flanges 4400 can be parallel to and inset relative to the
corresponding first and second side
panels 4414, 4416. Between the flanges 4400 at the first side panel 4414 and
between the flanges
4400 at the second side panel 4416, the given wall component 4136 can include
respective slots
4422. When the given wall component 4136 is assembled with other wall
components 4136 of the
large rectangular type within the exterior enclosure 4135, one of the flanges
4400 at the first side
panel 4414 and an opposing one of the flanges 4400 at the second side panel
4416 can be received
within the interior region of a first neighboring lower wall component 4136.
Similarly, the other of
the flanges 4400 at the first side panel 4414 and the other of the flanges
4400 at the second side
panel 4416 can be received within the interior region of a second neighboring
lower wall
component 4136 adjacent to the first neighboring lower wall component 4136.
The second end
panel 4420 of the first neighboring lower wall component 4136 and the first
end panel 4418 of the
second neighboring lower wall component 4136 can be directly adjacent to one
another and
received within the slots 4422 of the given wall component 4136. This
interaction between the wall
components 4136 can facilitate convenient assembly of the exterior enclosure
4135 with
neighboring rows of the wall components 4136 evenly staggered.
[00346] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side panels
4414, 4416 are thinner
than the first and second end panels 4418, 4420 and made of a different
material. For example, the
first and second side panels 4414, 4416 can be metal (e.g., iron) and the
first and second end panels
4418, 4420 can be cementitious (e.g., fiber-reinforced cement). The metal
composition of the first
and second side panels 4414, 4416 can be useful, for example, for aesthetics,
to facilitate magnetic
coupling of fixtures and accessories to the exterior enclosure 4135, and/or
for other reasons. The
cementitious composition of the first and second end panels 4418, 4420 can be
useful, for example,
to reduce noise transmission through the exterior enclosure 4135, for cost
savings, and/or for other
reasons. In other embodiments, the first and second side panels 4414, 4416 and
the first and second
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end panels 4418, 4420 can have other suitable compositions. The package 4410
can be reusable
and/or compostable. Furthermore, the package 4410 can be configured to remain
at least
substantially intact for convenient reuse and/or composting upon disassembly
of the exterior
enclosure 4135. In at least some embodiments, the package 4410 includes a
biodegradable skin
4424 that contains the planting medium 4306. When the exterior enclosure 4135
is assembled, the
skin 4424 can be punctured via the apertures 4402. Suitable materials for the
skin 4424 include
burlap and cotton, among others. As shown in Figure 105, the plate 4412 can
include perforations
4426 through which water can flow by gravity from one wall component 4136 to a
neighboring
lower wall component 4136 (or base block 4304).
[00347] Figures 108, 109, 110 and 111 are, respectively, a first side
profile view, an opposite
second side profile view, a first end profile view, and an opposite second end
profile view of the
bathroom 4127. With reference to Figures 108-111 together, the bathroom 4127
can include a
rectangular floor module 4500, a rectangular ceiling module 4502 vertically
spaced apart from the
floor module 4500, and a plurality of wall modules 4504 (individually
identified as wall modules
4504a-4504d) removably connected to the floor and ceiling modules 4500, 4502
at respective
perimeter portions of the floor and ceiling modules 4500, 4502. The bathroom
4127 can further
include a lower gasket 4506 disposed between the perimeter portion of the
floor module 4500 and
the wall modules 4504, and an upper gasket 4508 disposed between the perimeter
portion of the
ceiling module 4502 and the wall modules 4504. The floor module 4500 can
include upwardly
extending tabs 4510 through which the floor module 4500 is secured to the wall
modules 4504.
Similarly, the ceiling module 4502 can include downwardly extending tabs 4512
through which the
ceiling module 4502 is secured to the wall modules 4504. The wall modules
4504c, 4504d can
include vertical flanges 4514 at which the wall modules 4504c, 4504d are
secured to the wall
modules 4504a, 4504b. The bathroom 4127 can include bolts 4516 and associated
nuts 4518 at the
upwardly extending tabs 4510, the downwardly extending tabs 4512, and the
vertical flanges 4514.
[00348] At the wall module 4504a (Figure 110), the bathroom 4127 can
include a doorway
opening 4520, a frame 4522 extending around the doorway opening 4520, and a
door 4524 disposed
within the doorway opening 4520 and hingedly connected to the frame 4522. The
bathroom 4127
can further include a handle 4526 and hinges 4528 operably associated with the
door 4524. At the
wall module 4504c (Figure 108), the bathroom 4127 can include a plumbing
ventilation hookup
4530 and an exhaust hookup 4532. The plumbing ventilation hookup 4530 and the
exhaust hookup
4532 can be configured for convenient connection to and disconnection from the
plumbing
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ventilation line 4188 and the exhaust line 4190 (Figure 91), respectively,
such as via quick release
couplings (not shown). The wall modules 4504c, 4504d can extend between the
wall modules
4504a, 4504b at opposite sides of the bathroom 4127. As discussed above, the
bathroom 4127 can
be configured to be elevated above a floor surface of the interior region
4114. For this purpose
and/or another suitable purpose, the floor module 4500 can include feet 4533.
In at least some
embodiments, a gap between the feet 4533 is large enough to allow the bathroom
4127, when fully
assembled, to be conveniently moved by forklift. At the ceiling module 4502,
the bathroom 4127
can include skylights 4534 that allow ambient light within the interior region
4114 to enter an
interior of the bathroom 4127.
[00349] At a side of the floor module 4500 below the wall module 4504c, the
bathroom 4127
can include a blackwater drain hookup 4535, a main cold water supply hookup
4536, and a main hot
water supply hookup 4538. At an end of the floor module 4500 below the wall
module 4504a, the
bathroom 4127 can include a main electrical hookup 4540 and a main greywater
drain hookup
4541. The blackwater drain hookup 4535, the main cold water supply hookup
4536, the main hot
water supply hookup 4538, the main electrical hookup 4540, and the main
greywater drain hookup
4541 can be configured for convenient connection to and disconnection from the
blackwater drain
line 4180, the cold water supply line 4182, the hot water supply line 4184,
the electrical line 4178,
and the greywater drain line 4186, respectively, such as via quick release
couplings (not shown). At
a side of the floor module 4500 below the wall module 4504d, the bathroom 4127
can include an
auxiliary greywater drain hookup 4542, an auxiliary cold water supply hookup
4544, an auxiliary
hot water supply hookup 4546, and an auxiliary electrical hookup 4548. The
auxiliary greywater
drain hookup 4542, the auxiliary cold water supply hookup 4544, the auxiliary
hot water supply
hookup 4546, and the auxiliary electrical hookup 4548 can be configured for
convenient connection
to and disconnection from corresponding lines (not shown) of the kitchenette
4250, such as via
quick release couplings (not shown).
[00350] Figure 112 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 4127
taken along the line
112-112 in Figure 108. As shown in Figure 112, the floor module 4500 can
include a deck 4554,
and the bathroom 4127 can include a sink 4556, a toilet 4558, and a
bathtub/shower 4560 disposed
(e.g., removably disposed) on the deck 4554. The sink 4556 can include a basin
4562, a sink drain
4564, a sink faucet 4566, a sink hot water knob 4568, and a sink cold water
knob 4570 operably
connected to one another. The toilet 4558 can include a tank 4572, a bowl
4574, and a toilet drain
4576 operably connected to one another. The bathtub/shower 4560 can include a
tub 4578, a
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bathtub/shower drain 4580, a tub faucet 4582, a tub cold water knob 4584, a
tub hot water knob
4586, a cold water conduit 4588, and a hot water conduit 4590 operably
connected to one another.
The cold water conduit 4588 can include a riser 4592 and a first branch 4594
extending between the
riser 4592 and the tub faucet 4582. The tub cold water knob 4584 can be
disposed along the first
branch 4594 and operable to control a flow of cold water from the cold water
conduit 4588 to the
tub faucet 4582. Similarly, the hot water conduit 4590 can include a riser
4596 and a first branch
4598 extending between the riser 4596 and the tub faucet 4582. The tub hot
water knob 4586 can
be disposed along the first branch 4598 and operable to control a flow of hot
water from the hot
water conduit 4590 to the tub faucet 4582.
[00351] The bathroom 4127 can include an electrical conduit 4600, and a
junction box 4602
operably connected to the electrical conduit 4600. The bathroom 4127 can
further include a first
plumbing ventilation conduit 4604 disposed between the sink 4556 and the
toilet 4558, and a
second plumbing ventilation conduit 4605 disposed between the sink 4556 and
the bathtub/shower
4560. The first and second plumbing ventilation conduits 4604, 4605 can be
configured to ventilate
blackwater and greywater plumbing, respectively. The bathroom 4127 can still
further include a
floor drain 4606 disposed between the toilet 4558 and the bathtub/shower 4560.
Figure 113 is an
enlarged view of a portion of Figure 112. With reference to Figures 112 and
113 together, the
bathroom 4127 can include vertical gaskets 4608 disposed between the
respective vertical flanges
4514 and corresponding portions of the wall modules 4504a, 4504b. Similarly,
the bathroom 4127
can include lower tab gaskets 4610 disposed between the respective upwardly
extending tabs 4510
and corresponding portions of the wall modules 4504.
[00352] Figure 114 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom
4127 taken along the
line 114-114 in Figure 108. As shown in Figure 114, the bathroom 4127 can
include a light fixture
4612 attached to the wall module 4504c above the sink 4556. The bathroom 4127
can further
include an exhaust intake fan 4614 attached to the ceiling module 4502. The
electrical conduit 4600
can extend from the junction box 4602 (Figure 112) to the light fixture 4612,
and from the light
fixture 4612 to the exhaust intake fan 4614. The first and second plumbing
ventilation conduits
4604, 4605 can merge and extend along an inner corner between the ceiling
module 4502 and the
wall module 4504c to the plumbing ventilation hookup 4530 (Figure 108). The
bathroom 4127 can
include an exhaust conduit 4616 extending from the exhaust intake fan 4614
along an inner corner
between the ceiling module 4502 and the wall module 4504b to the exhaust
hookup 4532 (Figure
108). Above one end of the tub 4578 (Figure 112), the bathtub/shower 4560
(Figure 112) can
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include a showerhead 4618, a shower cold water knob 4620 operably connected to
the cold water
conduit 4588, and a shower hot water knob 4622 operably connected to the hot
water conduit 4590.
The cold water conduit 4588 can include a second branch 4624 extending between
the riser 4592
and the showerhead 4618. The shower cold water knob 4620 can be disposed along
the second
branch 4624 and operable to control a flow of cold water from the cold water
conduit 4588 to the
showerhead 4618. Similarly, the hot water conduit 4590 can include a second
branch 4626
extending between the riser 4596 and the showerhead 4618. The shower hot water
knob 4622 can
be disposed along the second branch 4626 and operable to control a flow of hot
water from the hot
water conduit 4590 to the showerhead 4618. The bathroom 4127 can include upper
tab gaskets
4628 disposed between the respective downwardly extending tabs 4512 and
corresponding portions
of the wall modules 4504.
[00353] Figure 115 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 4127
taken along the line
115-115 in Figure 108. With reference to Figures 91 and 108-115 together, the
floor module 4500
can include a skirt 4630 and a series of parallel spaced-apart joists 4632
within the skirt 4630. The
bathroom 4127 can include a blackwater drain conduit 4634 operably connected
to the blackwater
drain hookup 4535 and the toilet drain 4576. Thus, the toilet 4558 can be
operably connected to the
blackwater tank 4148 via the blackwater drain conduit 4634 and the blackwater
drain line 4180.
The blackwater drain conduit 4634 can include a branch 4635 operably connected
to the first
plumbing ventilation conduit 4604. The bathroom 4127 can further include a
greywater drain
conduit 4636 operably connected to the main greywater drain hookup 4541. The
greywater drain
conduit 4636 can include branches 4638 (individually identified as branches
4638a-4638c) operably
connected to the second plumbing ventilation conduit 4605, the sink drain
4564, and the auxiliary
greywater drain hookup 4542, respectively. The greywater drain conduit 4636
can further include
sub-branches 4639 (individually identified as sub-branches 4639a, 4639b)
operably connected to
the bathtub/shower drain 4580 and the floor drain 4606, respectively. Thus,
the bathtub/shower
drain 4580 can be operably connected to the greywater filter 4154 via the
greywater drain conduit
4636 and the greywater drain line 4186. The sub-branches 4639c, 4639b of the
greywater drain
conduit 4636 can include respective traps 4640. Furthermore, the blackwater
drain conduit 4634
and the greywater drain conduit 4636 can include respective caps 4642, such as
to facilitate clean-
out.
[00354] The bathroom 4127 can include wheels 4643 (e.g., swivel casters)
integrated into the
floor module 4500. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 4643 are embedded
within the feet
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4533 and accessible via inwardly facing openings (not shown) of the feet 4533.
The individual
wheels 4643 can be movable between a retracted state and an extended state.
For example, the
bathroom 4127 can include posts 4644 having threads (not shown) that engage
corresponding
threads (not shown) of the wheels 4643 such that the wheels 4643 can be
rotatably moved between
the retracted and extended states. Moving the wheels 4643 from the retracted
state to the extended
state can lift the bathroom 4127 off a corresponding floor surface, thereby
allowing the bathroom
4127 to be conveniently moved along the floor surface.
[00355] The bathroom 4127 can further include a main cold water conduit
4645 and a main hot
water conduit 4646 operably connected to the main cold water supply hookup
4536 and the main
hot water supply hookup 4538, respectively. The main cold water conduit 4645
can include
branches 4648 (individually identified as branches 4648a, 4648b) operably
connected to the sink
4556 and the bathtub/shower 4560 (via the riser 4592), respectively. The main
cold water conduit
4645 can further include sub-branches 4650 (individually identified as sub-
branches 4650a, 4650b)
operably connected to the auxiliary cold water supply hookup 4544 and the
toilet 4558,
respectively. The main hot water conduit 4646 can include branches 4652
(individually identified
as branches 4652a, 4652b) operably connected to the sink 4556 and the
bathtub/shower 4560 (via
the riser 4596), respectively. The main hot water conduit 4646 can further
include a sub-branch
4654 operably connected to the auxiliary hot water supply hookup 4546. The
bathroom 4127 can
still further include a main electrical conduit 4656 operably connected to the
main electrical hookup
4540. The main electrical conduit 4656 can include branches 4658 (individually
identified as
branches 4658a, 4658b) operably connected to the auxiliary electrical hookup
4548 and a floor
heating system (introduced below). The main electrical conduit 4656 can
further include a sub-
branch 4659 operably connected to the electrical conduit 4600.
[00356] Figure 116 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom
4127 taken along the
line 116-116 in Figure 108. As shown in Figure 116, the bathroom 4127 can
include a floor heating
system 4660 operably associated with the deck 4554. The floor heating system
4660 can include a
control box 4662 operably connected to the branch 4658b of the main electrical
conduit 4656, and a
heating cable 4664 operably connected to the control box 4662. The heating
cable 4664 can have a
serpentine configuration and be directly connected to an underside of the deck
4554 between the
joists 4632. With reference to Figures 108-116 together, the floor drain 4606,
the blackwater drain
conduit 4634 (e.g., including its branch 4635), the greywater drain conduit
4636 (e.g., including its
branches 4638 and sub-branches 4639), the main cold water conduit 4645 (e.g.,
including its
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branches 4648 and sub-branches 4650), the main hot water conduit 4646 (e.g.,
including its
branches 4652 and sub-branch 4654), the main electrical conduit 4656 (e.g.,
including its branches
4658 and sub-branch 4659), the floor heating system 4660, and/or other
suitable components of the
bathroom 4127 can be pre-installed components of the floor module 4500.
Similarly, the supply
plumbing for the bathtub/shower 4560 (e.g., including the tub faucet 4582, the
cold water conduit
4588, the hot water conduit 4590, and the showerhead 4618), the light fixture
4612, and/or other
suitable components of the bathroom 4127 can be pre-installed components of
the wall module
4504c. These and/or other aspects of the bathroom 4127 can facilitate rapid
deployment, removal,
and redeployment of the bathroom 4127.
[00357] Figure 117 is a cross-sectional top plan view corresponding to the
portion of Figure 89
shown in Figure 90 and showing a real estate unit 4700 in accordance with
another embodiment of
the present technology including the interior region 4114 in the second state.
The real estate unit
4700 can include a dock 4701 that does not include the blackwater tank 4148
(Figure 91) and the
blackwater drain line 4180 (Figure 91) of the real estate unit 4126 (Figure
91). Instead of these
components, the real estate unit 4700 can include a blackwater drain line 4702
extending between
the bathroom 4127 and an outdoor sewage hookup 4704. The blackwater drain line
4702 can
extend through the exterior wall 4104g from the bathroom 4127 toward the
sewage hookup 4704.
Furthermore, the blackwater drain line 4702 can extend above-floor and then
above-ground from
the bathroom 4127 toward the sewage hookup 4704.
[00358] The sewage hookup 4702 can be a retrofitted access point to a
municipal, septic, or
other permanent sewage system serving the house 4100 (Figure 88). In at least
some cases, the
blackwater drain line 4180 connects to the sewage hookup 4702 via a quick-
connect coupling (not
shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 4700 (like the
real estate unit 4126
(Figure 91)) is configured to recycle greywater. In other embodiments, a
counterpart of the real
estate unit 4700 can be configured to dispose of greywater with blackwater via
the sewage hookup
4702. For example, a counterpart of the bathroom 4127 can be alternatively
configured so that a
counterpart of the greywater drain conduit 4636 (Figure 115) is combined with
a counterpart of the
blackwater drain conduit 4634 (Figure 115). In these and other embodiments,
the exterior enclosure
4135 can be configured to receive water from the hose bibb 4124 and/or
configured to receive water
in another suitable manner.
[00359] In another embodiment, a counterpart of the real estate unit 4126
(Figure 91) is
operably associated with components that reduce or eliminate the need for
frequent servicing and/or
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connections to permanent utilities serving the house 4100 (Figure 88). For
example, the counterpart
of the real estate unit 4126 (Figure 91) can be operably associated with a
high-capacity sewage
detention reservoir (not shown) disposed (e.g., removably disposed) outside
the interior region
4114, a high-capacity cold water reservoir (not shown) disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) outside
the interior region 4114, and/or a high-capacity generator (not shown)
disposed (e.g., removably
disposed) outside the interior region 4114. The high-capacity sewage detention
reservoir can be
configured for occasional evacuation into a mobile tanker (e.g., a septic
system pump truck).
Similarly, the high-capacity cold water reservoir can be configured for
occasional replenishment
from a mobile tanker (e.g., a water supply truck). In these embodiments, with
reference to Figure
91, a counterpart of the dock 4142 can be without the blackwater tank 4148,
the water reservoir
4150, the greywater filter 4154, and/or the battery 4158.
[00360] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 91 and 117, the real
estate units 4126, 4700
are configured at least primarily as lodging and/or residential units. In
other embodiments, a
counterpart of the real estate units 4126, 4700 can have another suitable
primary use. For example,
the counterpart of the real estate units 4126, 4700 can be a rentable office
unit, a rentable assembly
unit, and/or a rentable unit of another suitable type. For example, Figure 118
is a cross-sectional
top plan view corresponding to the portion of Figure 89 shown in Figure 90 and
showing a real
estate unit 4750 in accordance with another embodiment of the present
technology including the
interior region 4114 in the second state. The real estate unit 4750 can be
configured at least
primarily as a rentable office unit. The real estate unit 4750 can include
office furnishings, such as
a workstation 4752 removably disposed within the interior region 4114. Because
privacy tends to
be less important for office uses than for lodging and residential uses and/or
for other reasons, the
real estate unit 4750 can be without the exterior enclosure 4135 (Figure 91).
Alternatively, a
counterpart of the real estate unit 4750 can include the exterior enclosure
4135 (Figure 91) or a
comparable structure.
[00361] Figure 119 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
4800 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including an interior region
4802 of a three-car
garage 4804 in the second state. The garage 4804 can include a secondary
opening 4806 between
the interior region 4114 and the outdoor area 4118. Like the opening 4116, the
secondary opening
4806 can be sized to permit passage of a car between the interior region 4114
and the outdoor area
4118. For example, the secondary opening 4806 can have a width within a range
from 2 meters to 4
meters. The garage 4804 can further include a secondary door track 4808 at the
secondary opening
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
4806 and a secondary overhead door 4810 operably connected to the secondary
door track 4808. In
the illustrated embodiment, rather than being stowed in an open state, the
secondary overhead door
4810 is stowed in a closed state when the garage 4804 is in the retrofitted
state. In other
embodiments, the secondary overhead door 4810 can be stowed in an open state
or removed and a
counterpart of the real estate unit 4800 can include a secondary barrier
operably associated with the
secondary opening 4806. The secondary barrier can have some or all of the
features discussed
above for the barrier 4131. In still other embodiments, the secondary overhead
door 4810 can
remain active (i.e., configured for frequent operation) in the real estate
unit 4800 rather than being
stowed. In still other embodiments, a counterpart of the barrier 4131 can
overlie both the opening
4116 and the secondary opening 4806.
[00362] With reference again to Figure 119, the real estate unit 4800 can
be configured at least
primarily as a rentable assembly unit. For example, the real estate unit 4800
can be configured to
accommodate parties, classes, etc. Like the real estate unit 4750 (Figure
118), the real estate unit
4800 can be without the exterior enclosure 4135 (Figure 91). Alternatively, a
counterpart of the real
estate unit 4800 can include the exterior enclosure 4135 (Figure 91) or a
comparable structure. The
real estate unit 4800 can include a dock 4812 that does not include the trash
bin 4160 (Figure 91),
the recycling bin 4162 (Figure 91), and the laundry bin 4164 (Figure 91) of
the real estate unit 4126
(Figure 91), but is otherwise the same as or similar to the dock 4142 (Figure
91).
[00363] Figure 120 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
4850 in accordance
with yet another embodiment of the present technology including the interior
region 4802 in the
second state. The real estate unit 4850 can be configured at least primarily
as a combined lodging
and rentable office unit. For example, the real estate unit 4850 can include
both a workstation 4752
and a bed 4234. In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 4850
further includes partitions
4852 that close off the bed 4234 during work hours. The partitions 4852 can be
reusable and
removably disposed within the interior region 4802 of the garage 4804. In
other embodiments, the
partitions 4852 can be omitted and the portion of the interior region 4802
including the bed 4234
can be open to other portions of the interior region 4802. In still other
embodiments, the bed 4802
can be replaced with a sofa bed, a wall bed, or another type of convertible
bed that readily
transitions between a compact and/or hidden state when not in use and an
expanded and/or exposed
state when in use.
[00364] Figure 121 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
4860 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including an interior region
4861 of a detached
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
one-car garage 4862 in the second state. The garage 4862 can include a side
doorway 4863 with a
removed door. The real estate unit 4860 can include a reusable bathroom 4864
disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) outside the interior region 4861. The bathroom 4864 can be
similar to the
bathroom 4127 (Figures 108-116) and can include a door 4865 aligned with the
side doorway 4863.
Similar to the barrier 4131 (Figure 92), the bathroom 4864 can include a
gasket 4866 disposed
between a wall of the bathroom 4864 and an exterior wall of the garage 4862.
The gasket 4866 can
be compressible such that it conforms to irregularities in the corresponding
exterior wall of the
garage 4862 and thereby enhances a weather resistance of a connection between
the bathroom 4864
and the exterior wall of the garage 4862. The bathroom 4864 can further
include bolts or clamps
(not shown) that secure the connection between the bathroom 4864 and the
exterior wall of the
garage 4862.
[00365] Figure 122 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
4870 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including an interior region
4872 of a detached
two-car garage 4874 in the second state. The garage 4874 can include a rear
doorway 4876 that is
not in service. For example the rear doorway 4876 can be blocked by the closet
4256 of the real
estate unit 4870. As with the real estate unit 4860 (Figure 121), the bathroom
4864 of the real estate
unit 4870 can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed) outside the interior
region 4872. The real
estate unit 4870 can include a barrier 4878 disposed (e.g., removably
disposed) between the interior
region 4872 and the outdoor area 4118 adjacent to the garage 4874. The barrier
4878 can be
configured to permit ingress to and egress from the interior region 4872. The
barrier 4878 can also
be configured to permit access to the bathroom 4864 of the real estate unit
4870 from the interior
region 4872. For example, the barrier 4878 can include an opening 4880 aligned
with the door
4865 of the bathroom 4864. The real estate unit 4870 can also include a dock
4882 similar to the
dock 4812 described above with reference to Figure 119.
[00366] Figure 123 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
4890 in accordance
with yet another embodiment of the present technology including an interior
region 4892 of a
detached two-car garage 4894 in the second state. The garage 4894 can include
a side doorway
4896 that is in service for providing ingress to and egress from the interior
region 4892. Again, the
bathroom 4864 of the real estate unit 4890 can be disposed (e.g., removably
disposed) outside the
interior region 4892. The real estate unit 4890 can include a barrier 4898
disposed (e.g., removably
disposed) between the interior region 4892 and the outdoor area 4118 adjacent
to the garage 4894.
The barrier 4898 can be similar to the barrier 4878 (Figure 122) although
without a doorway to
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
permit ingress to and egress from the interior region 4892. Rather, as
mentioned above, ingress to
and egress from the interior region 4892 can be via the side doorway 4896.
[00367] Figure 124 is a block diagram illustrating a method 4900 for
retrofitting a given garage
to form at least a portion of a given real estate unit in accordance with an
embodiment of the present
technology. For simplicity, the method 4900 will be further described
primarily in the context of
the real estate unit 4126 and the garage 4102. It should be understood,
however, that the method
4900, when suitable, and/or portions of the method 4900, when suitable, can be
practiced with
respect to any of the real estate units 4126, 4700, 4750, 4800, 4850, 4860,
4870, 4890 and with
respect to any of the garages 4102, 4804, 4862, 4874, 4894 described above
with reference to
Figures 91-123 as well as with respect to other real estate units and garages
in accordance with
embodiments of the present technology. With reference to Figures 91-116 and
124 together, the
method 4900 can include leasing the interior region 4114 (block 4902) or
establishing control of the
interior region 4114 in another suitable manner. For example, the interior
region 4114 can be
leased from an owner of the garage 4102 (e.g., an owner of the house 4100) for
provision of
lodging, residential space, office space, and/or assembly space, and/or
another type of space to third
parties.
[00368] In at least some embodiments, the method 4900 includes at least
substantially
reversibly retrofitting the garage 4102 to accommodate a non-garage use (e.g.,
a lodging use, a
residential use, an office use, and/or an assembly use) at the interior region
4114. In these and other
embodiments, it may be economically feasible to lease the interior region 4114
and retrofit the
garage 4102 with little or no long-term commitment from an owner of the garage
4102. This can be
due to the reusability of a significant amount of the capital associated with
retrofitting the garage
4102 and/or for other reasons. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the interior
region 4114 is
leased month-to-month. In other embodiments, the interior region 4114 can be
leased under terms
that allow the owner of the garage 4102 to terminate the lease with notice of
less than one month.
In still other embodiments, the interior region 4114 can be controlled by an
operator of the real
estate unit 4126 under other lease arrangements, under non-lease contractual
arrangements (e.g.,
franchising), or under fee simple ownership. After direct or indirect control
over the interior region
4114 is established, the method 4900 can include subleasing (or leasing if the
garage 4102 is owned
in fee simple) the interior region 4114 to a renter. When the interior region
4114 is leased
separately from other portions of the house 4100, an owner of the house 4100
can occupy or
otherwise use the other portions of the house 4100 while the interior region
4114 is leased to third
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
parties. When the interior region 4114 is leased together with other portions
of the house 4100, an
operator of the real estate unit 4126 can separately lease the interior region
4114 as the real estate
unit 4126 and some or all of the other portions of the house 4100 as another
real estate unit.
[00369] The method 4900 can further include transporting modules (e.g., the
bathroom 4127,
the barrier 4131, the wall components 4136, and/or the dock 4142) to the
garage 4102 (block 4904).
Some or all of the modules can be transported in a compact state. For example,
the bathroom 4127
can be transported in its disassembled state, the barrier 4131 can be
transported in its folded state,
the wall components 4136 can be transported in their disassembled states,
and/or the shells 4408
can be transported in their collapsed states. The method 4900 can further
include receiving the
modules at the garage 4102 (block 4906). For example, the bathroom 4127, the
barrier 4131, the
wall components 4136, the dock 4142, and/or other suitable components of the
real estate unit 4126
can be received at the garage 4102 in an at least substantially pre-
manufactured state.
[00370] After the bathroom 4127 is received at the garage 4102, the method
4900 can include
installing the bathroom 4127 (block 4908), such as by disposing (e.g.,
removably disposing) the
bathroom 4127 within or outside the interior region 4114. In at least some
embodiments, installing
the bathroom 4127 includes assembling (e.g., at least substantially reversibly
assembling) a set of
reusable bathroom modules (e.g., the floor module 4500, the ceiling module
4502, and the wall
modules 4504) to form an assembly of reusable bathroom modules. For example,
the method 4900
can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the floor module 4500 at a
suitable location
within or outside the interior region 4114, and connecting (e.g., removably
connecting) the wall
modules 4504 to the floor module 4500 at a perimeter portion of the floor
module 4500. The
bathroom 4127 can be disposed within the interior region 4114 such that the
floor level of the
bathroom 4127 is at least 0.5 meter higher than the underlying floor level of
the interior region
4114. The method 4900 can further include installing (e.g., removably
installing) furnishings
within the interior region 4114. For example, when the garage 4102 is
retrofitted for lodging and/or
residential use at the interior region 4114, the method 4900 can include
disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) lodging and/or residential furnishings within the interior region
4114. As another
example, when the garage 4102 is retrofitted for office use at the interior
region 4114, the method
4900 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) office furnishings
within the interior region
4114.
[00371] The method 4900 can also include installing the barrier 4131 (block
4912). For
example, the method 4900 can include disposing (e.g., removably and
stationarily disposing) the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
barrier 4131 between the interior region 4114 and the outdoor area 4118. The
barrier 4131 can be
installed such that a path permitting a renter of the real estate unit 4126 to
move between the
interior region 4114 and the outdoor area 4118 extends through the opening
4116 and through the
barrier 4131. Installing the barrier 4131 can include installing the barrier
4131 in an unfolded state.
In addition or alternatively, installing the barrier 4131 can include at least
substantially reversibly
assembling a set of barrier modules to form an assembly of barrier modules. In
at least some
embodiments, installing the barrier 4131 includes fastening (e.g., removably
fastening) the barrier
4131 to the exterior wall 4104h. For example, the barrier 4131 can be bolted,
screwed, and/or
clamped to the exterior wall 4104h. Installing the barrier 4131 can further
include forming the first
mass of self-leveling material 4300, such as integrally along most or all of
an overall footprint of
the barrier 4131. The barrier 4131 can then be installed over the first mass
of self-leveling material
4300. In some embodiments, installing the barrier 4131 includes inserting the
barrier 4131 into the
opening 4116. In other embodiments, installing the barrier 4131 includes
overlaying the barrier
4131 over the opening 4116. For example, installing the barrier 4131 can
include compressing the
gasket 4354 between the frame 4352 and the exterior wall 4104h. In conjunction
with installing the
barrier 4131 or separately, the method 4900 can include stowing the overhead
door 4120 within the
interior region 4114 in its open state (block 4914). In at least some cases,
this includes disabling
(e.g., reversibly disabling) a control for the overhead door 4120.
[00372] As
shown in Figure 124, the method 4900 can include installing the dock 4142
(block
4916). For example, the method 4900 can include disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) the dock
4142 outside the interior region 4114. In conjunction with installing the dock
4142 or separately,
the method 4900 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the water
reservoir 4150, the
battery 4158, the blackwater tank 4148, and/or other suitable modules outside
the interior region
4114. These modules can be connected (e.g., removably connected) to the dock
4142 and/or to
other suitable components of the real estate unit 4126. For example, the water
reservoir 4150 and
the bathroom 4127 can be operably connected via the cold water supply line
4182; the toilet 4558
and the blackwater tank 4148 can be operably connected via the blackwater
drain line 4180; and the
bathtub/shower drain 4580 and the greywater filter 4154 can be operably
connected via the
greywater drain line 4186. In addition or alternatively, the bathroom 4127 and
the sewage hookup
4704 can be operably connected via the blackwater drain line 4702. When the
bathroom 4127 is
operably connected to the blackwater tank 4148, establishing this connection
can include operating
the blackwater drain quick-connect coupling 4206 to fluidically connect the
bathroom 4127 and the
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blackwater tank 4148. Similarly, the electrical quick-connect coupling 4208
can be operated to
electrically connect the battery 4158 and the bathroom 4127. In at least some
embodiments, the
garage 4102 is retrofitted for off-grid operation with respect to an
electrical supply to the interior
region 4114 and/or retrofitted for off-grid operation with respect to disposal
of blackwater from the
toilet 4558.
[00373] Operably connecting the bathroom 4127 and the blackwater tank 4148
can include
extending the blackwater drain line 4180 between the bathroom 4127 and the
blackwater tank 4148
such that the blackwater drain line 4180 extends above-floor and then above-
ground from the
bathroom 4127 toward the blackwater tank 4148. Similarly, operably connecting
the bathroom
4127 and the sewage hookup 4704 can include extending the blackwater drain
line 4702 between
the bathroom 4127 and the sewage hookup 4704 such that the blackwater drain
line 4702 extends
above-floor and then above-ground from the bathroom 4127 toward the sewage
hookup 4704. In at
least some embodiments, installing the dock 4142 further includes connecting
(e.g., removably
connecting) the water reservoir 4150 and the hose bibb 4124.
[00374] The method 4900 can further include installing the exterior
enclosure 4135 (block
4918). In at least some cases, this is part of retrofitting the outdoor area
4118 from being a
driveway and/or parking area to being the courtyard 4134. Installing the
exterior enclosure 4135
can include forming the second mass of self-leveling material 4302, such as
integrally along most or
all of an overall footprint of the exterior enclosure 4135. The wall
components 4136 can then be
disposed (e.g., removably disposed) over the second mass of self-leveling
material 4302. The
second mass of self-leveling material 4302 can be formed and the wall
components 4136 can be
disposed at the perimeter portion of the outdoor area 4118 to form at least a
portion of the exterior
enclosure 4135. Disposing the wall components 4136 can include stacking and/or
interlocking the
wall components 4136. This can be done, for example, while the shells 4408 are
in an expanded
state. Installing the exterior enclosure 4135 can further include
differentially planting the apertures
4402 to form the brand identifier 4404. For example, this can be done using a
template after all or
most of the wall components 4136 of the exterior enclosure 4135 have been
installed.
[00375] Figure 125 is a block diagram illustrating a method 4950 for
operating a given real
estate unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. As
with the method 4900,
the method 4950 will be further described primarily in the context of the real
estate unit 4126 and
the garage 4102. It should be understood, however, that the method 4950, when
suitable, and/or
portions of the method 4950, when suitable, can be practiced with respect to
any of the real estate
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
units 4126, 4700, 4750, 4800, 4850, 4860, 4870, 4890 and with respect to any
of the garages 4102,
4804, 4862, 4874, 4894 described above with reference to Figures 91-120 as
well as with respect to
other real estate units and garages in accordance with embodiments of the
present technology. With
reference to Figures 91-116 and 125 together, the method 4950 can be practiced
in connection with
providing lodging, rentable residential space, rentable office space, rentable
assembly space, and/or
another suitable type of space at the interior region 4114. The method 4950
can include leasing the
interior region 4114 (block 4952) or maintaining control of the interior
region 4114 in another
suitable manner, such as one of the manners described above in connection with
establishing control
of the interior region 4114 in the method 4900.
[00376] The method 4950 can further include providing renter access to the
interior region
4114 (block 4954), such as through the opening 4116 and through the barrier
4131. In this way, the
method 4950 can include providing access to furnishings at the interior region
4114 corresponding
to the use type. For example, the method 4950 can include providing renter
access to lodging
and/or residential furnishings (e.g., the bed 4234) within the interior region
4114 when the real
estate unit 4126 is operated as a lodging and/or residential unit. As another
example, the method
4950 can include providing renter access to office furnishings (e.g., the
workstation 4752) within
the interior region 4114 when the real estate unit 4126 is operated as an
office unit. Providing
renter access to the interior region 4114 can occur by leasing the interior
region 4114 to the renter,
subleasing the interior region 4114 to the renter, providing renter access to
the interior region 4114
through a membership agreement, providing renter access to the interior region
4114 through a
short-term use arrangement (e.g., a lodging arrangement), and/or providing
renter access to the
interior region 4114 in another suitable manner. The method 4950 can further
include providing
renter access to the bathroom 4127 (block 4956) and providing renter access to
the courtyard 4134
(block 4958).
[00377] As shown in Figure 125, the method 4950 can include flowing sewage
from the
bathroom 4127 (block 4960). For example, the method 4950 can include flowing
backwater from
the toilet 4129 toward the blackwater tank 4148 via the blackwater drain line
4180. As another
example, the method 4950 can include flowing sewage (e.g., blackwater) from
the bathroom 4127
toward the sewage hookup 4704 via the blackwater drain line 4702. As yet
another example, the
method 4950 can include flowing greywater from the bathtub/shower drain 4580
toward the
greywater filter 4154. The method 4950 can also include swapping the
blackwater tank 4148 with a
less full counterpart of the blackwater tank 4148 to remove sewage from the
real estate unit 4126
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
(block 4962). This can include operating the blackwater drain quick-connect
coupling 4206 to
disconnect the blackwater tank 4148 from fluidic connection with the bathroom
4127 and removing
the blackwater tank 4148 from the dock 4142. Swapping the blackwater tank 4148
can be at least
partially in response to receiving an indication of a fullness of the
blackwater tank 4148 from the
sensor 4166a. In at least some embodiments, the method 4950 includes operating
the real estate
unit 4126 off-grid with respect to remote disposal of blackwater from the
toilet 4129.
[00378] The method 4950 can further include flowing water toward the
bathroom 4127 (block
4964). For example, the method 4950 can include flowing water from the water
reservoir 4150
toward the bathroom 4127 via the cold water supply line 4182. Furthermore, the
method 4950 can
include flowing water from the hose bibb 4124 toward the water reservoir 4150
to replenish the
water reservoir 4150. The method 4950 can also include providing electricity
to the interior region
4114 (block 4966). For example, the method 4950 can include powering an
appliance within the
interior region 4114 using the battery 4158 via the electrical outlet 4176.
The method 4950 can
further include swapping the battery 4158 with a less depleted counterpart of
the battery 4158 to
replenish an electrical supply to the real estate unit 4126. This can include
operating the electrical
quick-connect coupling 4208 to disconnect the battery 4158 from electrical
connection with the
electrical outlet 4176. Swapping the battery 4158 can be at least partially in
response to receiving
an indication of a depleted state of the battery 4158 from the sensor 4166c.
In at least some
embodiments, the method 4950 includes operating the real estate unit 4126 off-
grid with respect to
an electrical supply to the interior region 4114.
[00379] As a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize,
numerous permutations of
the features disclosed herein are within the scope of the present technology.
For example, the real
estate units 4126, 4700, 4750 can be implemented at the garage 4804 instead of
the garage 4102.
As another example, the real estate units 4800, 4850 can be implemented at the
garage 4102 instead
of the garage 4804. As yet another example, the bathroom 4127 can be tethered
for waste disposal
and/or water supply to a permanent bathroom (not shown) of the house 4100. As
yet another
example, an exterior enclosure 4135 can be added to the real estate units
4750, 4800, 4860, 4870
and 4890.
[00380] In a another embodiment of the present technology, a real estate
unit includes an
interior space within a commercial building, a reusable bathroom removably
disposed within the
commercial building, and a reusable barrier stationarily and removably
disposed between the
interior space and an outdoor area. The bathroom, barrier, and/or other
suitable components of the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
real estate unit can be configured for low-cost deployment, removal, and
redeployment. Use of
these components can allow revenue from operating the real estate unit to
exceed costs associated
within transitioning the space within the commercial building from its purpose-
built use (e.g.,
loading, storage, parking, and/or vehicle-servicing use) to an alternative use
(e.g., lodging,
residential, office, and/or assembly use) even if the real estate unit is only
operated for a short
period of time (e.g., one year or less). Thus, an operator of a network of
real estate units may lease
a space within a commercial building short-term (e.g., monthly) from an owner
of the commercial
building and retrofit the space for provision of rentable space to third
parties with little or no risk of
incurring significant economic loss. Even if the owner terminates the lease or
if demand for the
newly created real estate unit is lower than expected, most of the capital
associated with retrofitting
the space can be recoverable. Furthermore, capital embodied in the components
can be readily
relocatable in response to long-term and short-term (e.g., seasonal) changes
in demand.
[00381] Among various types of real estate, commercial buildings having
loading, storage,
parking, and/or vehicle-servicing spaces are particularly well suited to be
retrofitted to
accommodate alternative uses. For example, these types of spaces tend to be
unfurnished or
sparsely finished in their purpose-built use, which can facilitate
retrofitting. As another example,
these types of spaces typically have large openings at ground level. These
openings can be well
suited for retrofitting to become sources of natural light and/or points of
direct exterior access. As
yet another example, commercial buildings having these types of spaces
typically have at least one
exterior wall well suited for accommodating retrofitted utility connections
between indoor and
outdoor components. Commercial buildings compatible with embodiments of the
present
technology can have other desirable attributes in addition to or instead of
the forgoing attributes.
Furthermore, embodiments of the present technology can be implemented in other
types of real
estate, such as residential garages.
[00382] Figure 126 is a back profile view of a commercial building 5100
disposed between
neighboring commercial buildings 5101 (individually identified as neighboring
commercial
buildings 5101a and 5101b). Figure 127 is a cross-sectional top plan view of
the commercial
building 5100 taken along the line I-I in Figure 126. With reference to
Figures 126 and 127
together, the commercial building 5100 can include a permanent roof 5102,
permanent exterior
walls 5104 (individually identified as exterior walls 5104a-5104d), and
permanent interior walls
5106. The exterior walls 5104 can define an interior region 5108 of the
commercial building 5100.
Within the interior region 5108, the commercial building 5100 can include a
first building bathroom
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
5110 (e.g., a men's bathroom), a second building bathroom 5112 (e.g., a
women's bathroom), and a
utility room 5114. The commercial building 5100 can further include interior
doors 5116
(individually identified as interior doors 5116a-5116c) opening into the first
building bathroom
5110, the second building bathroom 5112, and the utility room 5114,
respectively.
[00383] The exterior wall 5104a can be between the interior region 5108 and
a first outdoor
area 5118 that includes a sidewalk 5120 and a street 5122. At the exterior
wall 5104a, the
commercial building 5100 can include a storefront 5124 between the interior
region 5108 and the
first outdoor area 5118. The exterior wall 5104c can be between the interior
region 5108 and a
second outdoor area 5126 that includes a yard 5128 and an alley 5130. At the
exterior wall 5104c,
the commercial building 5100 can include a back door 5132 and an opening 5134
between the
interior region 5108 and the second outdoor area 5126. In at least some cases,
the yard 5128 is
paved and/or otherwise configured to facilitate automobile parking. Although
the exterior wall
5104c in the illustrated embodiment is a back wall, in other embodiments a
counterpart of the
exterior wall 5104c can be a side wall. With reference again to Figures 126
and 127, the opening
5134 can be sized to permit loading of large items into the commercial
building 5100 and/or
passage of an automobile between the interior region 5108 and the second
outdoor area 5126. For
example, the opening 5134 can have a width within a range from 2 to 7 meters
(e.g., from 4 to 6
meters). The commercial building 5100 can further include an overhead door
5136 (e.g., a door that
moves upward to open and stows overhead in a rolled or unrolled state) movably
disposed at the
opening 5134.
[00384] The commercial building 5100 can include an interior space 5138
near the opening
5134, and another interior space 5140 between the interior space 5138 and the
storefront 5124. The
interior spaces 5138, 5140 can be constituents of the interior region 5108,
and can be physically
divided from one another or undivided. For simplicity of illustration,
interior walls, doorways,
fixtures, and furnishings within the interior region 5108 are not shown. The
interior spaces 5138,
5140 can be at a ground floor of the commercial building 5100. In some cases,
the interior spaces
5138, 5140 have different purpose-built uses. For example, the interior space
5138 can be a
purpose-built loading, storage, parking, and/or vehicle-servicing space, while
the interior space
5140 is a purpose-built office, retail, and/or restaurant space. In other
cases, the interior spaces
5138, 5140 can have the same purpose-built use. For example, the entire
commercial building 5100
can be a purpose-built warehouse. In Figure 127, the interior space 5138 is
shown in a first state,
which can be an original, pre-retrofit, or similar state.
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[00385] As shown in Figure 127, the first and second building bathrooms
5110, 5112 can
include respective toilets 5142 and respective sinks 5144. The commercial
building 5100 can
include a plumbing drain trunk line 5146 and a water supply trunk line 5148
operably associated
with the first and second building bathrooms 5110, 5112. The plumbing drain
trunk line 5146 can
follow a drainage route from the first and second building bathrooms 5110,
5112 toward a sewage
destination (e.g., a municipal sewer) (not shown). Similarly, the water supply
trunk line 5148 can
follow a supply route from a water source (e.g., a municipal water source)
(not shown) toward the
first and second building bathrooms 5110, 5112. The plumbing drain trunk line
5146 can be below-
ground, such as positioned below a ground surface outside the commercial
building 5100 along the
drainage route. In addition or alternatively, the plumbing drain trunk line
5146 can be below-floor,
such as positioned below a finished floor surface of the commercial building
5100 along the
drainage route. Similarly, the water supply trunk line 5148 can be below-
ground, such as
positioned below a ground surface outside the commercial building 5100 along
the supply route. In
addition or alternatively, the water supply trunk line 5148 can be below-
floor, such as positioned
below a finished floor surface of the commercial building 5100 along the
supply route.
[00386] The plumbing drain trunk line 5146 and/or the water supply trunk
line 5148 can be
buried or otherwise permanently installed within a basement, a crawlspace, a
chase, a foundation, a
volume of dirt, or another suitable environment directly below the first and
second building
bathrooms 5110, 5112 and/or directly below an area around the first and second
building bathrooms
5110, 5112. Furthermore, the plumbing drain trunk line 5146 can be sloped to
convey liquid waste
(e.g., sewage) from the first and second building bathrooms 5110, 5112 toward
the sewage
destination at least partially by gravity. The water supply trunk line 5148
can be configured to
convey potable water from the water source to the first and second building
bathrooms 5110, 5112
under pressure. In at least some cases, the commercial building 5100 includes
a building water
heater 5150 operably associated with the water supply trunk line 5148. In
these cases, the water
supply trunk line 5148 can bifurcate into branches (not shown) that supply
cold and hot water,
respectively, to the first and second building bathrooms 5110, 5112, such as
at the sinks 5144. The
building water heater 5150 can be operably associated with a branch of the
water supply trunk line
5148 that supplies hot water to the first and second building bathrooms 5110,
5112. As shown in
Figure 127, the building water heater 5150 can be disposed within the utility
room 5114. The
commercial building 5100 can include a furnace 5152 and an electrical panel
5154 also disposed
within the utility room 5114. The commercial building 5100 can further include
a main electrical
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supply line 5156 through which the electrical panel 5154 is operably connected
to an electrical
source (e.g., a municipal power source) (not shown). Electrical lines and
fixtures downstream from
the electrical panel 5154 are omitted for clarity of illustration.
[00387] Figure 128 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 127. As shown
in Figure 128,
the commercial building 5100 can include a door track 5158 at the opening
5134. The overhead
door 5136 can be operably connected to the door track 5158. The commercial
building 5100 can
further include a hose bibb 5160 at an exterior side of the exterior wall
5104c. Although the
commercial building 5100 in the illustrated embodiment is a stand-alone
commercial storefront
building, it should be understood that, in other embodiments, another type of
commercial building
(e.g., a warehouse, a distribution center, a strip mall, a manufacturing
facility, a mini-storage
facility, an office building, a vehicle-servicing station, etc.) can be
substituted for the commercial
building 5100. Furthermore, although the commercial building 5100 in the
illustrated embodiment
includes only one opening 5134 at a back wall, in other embodiment, a
counterpart of the
commercial building 5100 can include multiple openings at back and/or side
walls. In these other
embodiments, one, some, or all of these openings can be retrofitted as
described below with respect
to the opening 5134.
[00388] Figure 129 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a portion of the
commercial building
5100 corresponding to the portion of Figure 127 shown in Figure 128 and
showing a real estate unit
5162 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The real
estate unit 5162 can
include the interior space 5138 retrofitted (e.g., at least substantially
reversibly retrofitted) for an
alternative use. In Figure 129, the interior space 5138 is shown in a second
state, which can be a
non-original, post-retrofit, or similar state. In the illustrated embodiment,
the interior space 5138 is
retrofitted for lodging and/or residential use. In other embodiments, the
interior space 5138 can be
retrofitted for another suitable alternative use, such as office, and/or
assembly use in addition to or
instead of lodging and/or residential use. With reference again to Figure 129,
the first outdoor area
5118 can be retrofitted (e.g., at least substantially reversibly retrofitted)
for courtyard use and/or
another suitable use ancillary to the alternative use of the interior space
5138. The retrofitting of the
interior space 5138 and the first outdoor area 5118 can occur well after
(e.g., at least 20 years after)
the commercial building was originally constructed.
[00389] The real estate unit 5162 can include a variety of retrofits (e.g.,
at least substantially
reversible retrofits) to the commercial building 5100 that change at least a
portion of the
commercial building 5100 from being well suited a purpose-built use to being
well suited for an
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alternative use. In at least some cases, reversal of all or a portion of these
retrofits returns the
portion of the commercial building 5100 from being well suited for the
alternative use to again
being well suited for the purpose-built use. Examples of reversible retrofits
include removing,
installing, and relocating furniture and fixtures with little or no associated
demolition of the exterior
and interior walls 5104, 5106 or other permanent fabric of the commercial
building 5100. The
interior space 5138 and other suitable portions of the commercial building
5100 can be at least
substantially reversibly retrofitted to accommodate the real estate unit 5162.
For example, a total
cost of reversible retrofits to the commercial building 5100 (e.g., a present
value of at least
substantially reversibly installed reusable components of the real estate unit
5162) for a given
transformation of the interior space 5138 from being well suited for a purpose-
built use to being
well suited for an alternative use can be greater (e.g., at least 50% greater
or at least 100% greater)
than a total cost of permanent retrofits to the commercial building 5100 (e.g.
modifications to the
permanent fabric of the commercial building 5100) for the given
transformation. Capital associated
with the alternative use can be readily re-deployable after the alternative
use becomes inactive. In
some cases, the alternative use and the real estate unit 5162 are active for
one year or less (e.g., six
months or less) between successive transformations. In other cases, the
alternative use and the real
estate unit 5162 can have longer durations or even be permanent.
[00390] As
shown in Figure 129, the real estate unit 5162 can include a bathroom 5164
disposed (e.g., removably disposed) within the commercial building 5100. The
bathroom 5164 can
include a sink 5166, a toilet 5168, and a bath/shower 5170. In at least some
embodiments, the
bathroom 5164 is reusable and removably disposed within the commercial
building 5100. For
example, unlike a conventional bathroom that can only be installed by heavy
construction and
removed by heavy demolition, the bathroom 5164 can be configured to be
installed with little or no
need for heavy construction and removed with little or no need for heavy
demolition. Furthermore,
the bathroom 5164 can be configured to be conveniently transported and reused
after its removal.
In the illustrated embodiment, the bathroom 5164 is an assembly of reusable
bathroom modules
configured for rapid deployment into and removal from the commercial building
5100 in an at least
partially disassembled state. For example, the bathroom 5164 can be made up
mostly or entirely of
reusable modular components. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the
bathroom 5164 can be
portable and configured for rapid deployment into and removal from the
commercial building 5100
without significant disassembly. This deployment and removal can occur by
forklift, by dolly, by
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operation of wheels integrated into the counterpart of the bathroom 5164, or
in another manner. In
still other embodiments, a counterpart of the bathroom 5164 can have other
forms.
[00391] The
real estate unit 5162 can further include a barrier 5172 disposed between the
interior space 5138 and the second outdoor area 5126. For example, a primary
egress path from the
interior space 5138 to the second outdoor area 5126 can extend through the
opening 5134 and
through the barrier 5172. Furthermore, the barrier 5172 can be stationarily
disposed between the
interior space 5138 and the second outdoor area 5126. For example, unlike the
overhead door 5136,
which is configured to move on a regular basis during normal operation of the
interior space 5138 in
the first state, the barrier 5172 can be configured to remain at least
substantially stationary during
normal operation of the real estate unit 5162. The barrier 5172 can be
fenestrated and can include
windows 5174 that allow natural light to enter the interior space 5140 from
the second outdoor area
5126. The barrier 5172 can further include a door 5176. In at least some
embodiments, the barrier
5172 is foldable to facilitate its transport and storage when not in use. For
example, the barrier
5172 can be foldable along vertical seams (not shown) between neighboring
windows 5174 and/or
between the door 5176 and windows 5174 neighboring the door 5176.
[00392] The
barrier 5172 can be reusable and removably disposed between the interior space
5138 and the second outdoor area 5126. For example, the barrier 5172 can be
configured to be
installed with little or no need for heavy construction and removed with
little or no need for heavy
demolition. Furthermore, the barrier 5172 can be configured to be conveniently
transported and
reused after its removal. In the illustrated embodiment, the barrier 5172 is
rigid, portable and
configured for rapid deployment into and removal from operable association
with the interior space
5138 without significant disassembly. This deployment and removal can occur by
forklift, by dolly,
by operation of wheels (not shown) integrated into the barrier 5172, or in
another manner. In other
embodiments, a counterpart of the barrier 5172 can be an assembly of reusable
barrier modules
configured for rapid deployment into and removal from between the interior
space 5138 and the
second outdoor area 5126 in an at least partially disassembled state. For
example, a counterpart of
the barrier 5172 can be made up mostly or entirely of reusable modular
components.
[00393]
With reference again to Figure 129, the real estate unit 5162 can include a
courtyard
5178 at the second outdoor area 5126. For example, the real estate unit 5162
can include an
exterior enclosure 5180 at least partially defining the courtyard 5178. In
the illustrated
embodiment, the courtyard 5178 is open air. In other embodiments, all or a
portion of a counterpart
of the courtyard 5178 can have a roof (e.g., to define a solarium). As shown
in Figure 129, the
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exterior enclosure 5180 can include exterior wall components 5182 and a gate
5183 disposed at a
perimeter portion of the courtyard 5178. The exterior wall components 5182,
the gate 5183, and/or
other suitable components of the exterior enclosure 5180 can be reusable and
removably disposed at
the perimeter portion of the courtyard 5178. For example, the exterior
enclosure 5180 can be made
up mostly or entirely of reusable modular components. As discussed in further
detail below, the
exterior wall components 5182 can be stacked and/or interlocking within the
exterior enclosure
5180. Furthermore, the exterior wall components 5182 can be planters that
support vegetation
5184. For example, the exterior wall components 5182 can internally support a
root system (not
shown) of the vegetation 5184. Thus, the exterior enclosure 5180 can include
living walls.
[00394] The real estate unit 5162 can further include a compartmentalizing
assembly 5185.
The interior space 5138 can be within a compartment 5186 at least partially
defined by the
compartmentalizing assembly 5185. In the illustrated embodiment, the real
estate unit 5162 and the
compartment 5186 encompass no more than 30% of a total floor area of a ground
floor of the
commercial building 5100. In other embodiments, counterparts of the real
estate unit 5162 and the
compartment 5186 can be larger, such as encompassing 30% to 50% or
encompassing 50% to 100%
of a total floor area of a ground floor of a counterpart of the commercial
building 5100. As shown
in Figure 129, the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 can include interior wall
components 5187
disposed at a perimeter portion of the compartment 5186. The interior wall
components 5187
and/or other suitable components of the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 can
be reusable and
removably disposed within the commercial building 5100. For example, the
compartmentalizing
assembly 5185 can be made up mostly or entirely of reusable modular
components. As discussed in
further detail below, the interior wall components 5187 can be stacked and/or
interlocking within
the compartmentalizing assembly 5185.
[00395] In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 5162 is
configured to be mostly off-
grid (i.e., independent of service connections to local utilities). For
example, the real estate unit
5162 can be configured to operate at least substantially off-grid with respect
to an overall electrical
supply to the interior space 5138, with respect to disposal of blackwater
(e.g., wastewater from the
toilet 5168), and/or in other respects. This feature of the real estate unit
5162 can be useful, for
example, to avoid costs and complications associated with utility hookups, to
reduce the
environmental impact of the real estate unit 5162, to facilitate efficient
management of the real
estate unit 5162, to reduce costs associated with maintaining the real estate
unit 5162 during periods
of nonuse or low use, and/or for other reasons. In other embodiments, a
counterpart of the real
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estate unit 5162 can be mostly or entirely on-grid (i.e., dependent on service
connections to local
utilities).
[00396] As shown in Figure 129, the real estate unit 5162 can include a
dock 5188 disposed
(e.g., removably disposed) outside the interior space 5138. The dock 5188 can
be above-ground (as
illustrated) or below-ground (e.g., disposed within a pit). At the dock 5188,
the real estate unit 5162
can include a heat pump 5190, an exhaust filter 5192, a blackwater tank 5194,
a water reservoir
5196, a water heater 5198, a greywater filter 5200, a wireless router 5202, a
battery 5204, a trash
bin 5206, a recycling bin 5208, and a laundry bin 5210. The water reservoir
5196 can be operably
connected to the hose bibb 5160 and can be configured to increase a capacity
of the hose bibb 5160
to supply water to the bathroom 5164, such as by attenuating spikes in demand
for water from the
bathroom 5164. In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 5162 is
configured to separately
manage removal and disposal of blackwater (e.g., wastewater from the toilet
5168) and greywater
(e.g., wastewater from the sink 5166 and the bath/shower 5170). In other
embodiments, a
counterpart of the real estate unit 5162 can be configured to collectively
manage removal and
disposal of blackwater and greywater. Accordingly, the blackwater tank 5194
can be more
generally referred to as a sewage tank indicating that it can be configured to
receive primarily
blackwater, primarily greywater, or both blackwater and greywater.
[00397] With reference again to Figure 129, the exhaust filter 5192, the
blackwater tank 5194,
the battery 5204, the trash bin 5206, the recycling bin 5208, and the laundry
bin 5210 can be
removably connected to the dock 5188 or otherwise removably disposed outside
the interior space
5138. Furthermore, these components can be reusable. In the illustrated
embodiment, the real
estate unit 5162 is configured to operate on-grid with respect to a water
supply to the real estate unit
5162 (e.g., because the water reservoir 5196 is operably connected, for
replenishment, to the water
supply trunk line 5148 via the hose bibb 5160), configured to be off-grid with
respect to an
electrical supply to the real estate unit 5162, and configured to be off-grid
with respect to disposal
of blackwater from the toilet 5168. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the
real estate unit 5162
can be off-grid with respect to its water supply (e.g., because a counterpart
of the water reservoir
5196 is configured to be independently refilled or swapped), on-grid with
respect to its electrical
supply (e.g. because a counterpart of the battery 5204 is operably connected,
for recharging, to a
counterpart of the electrical panel 5154), and/or on-grid with respect its
sewage disposal (e.g.
because a counterpart of the blackwater tank 5194 is operably connected (e.g.,
for draining) to a
counterpart of the plumbing drain trunk line 5146).
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[00398] The real estate unit 5162 can be configured to receive occasional
servicing. This
servicing can be include collecting backwater, trash, recyclables, and laundry
(e.g., for cleaning and
return) from the blackwater tank 5194, the trash bin 5206, the recycling bin
5208, and the laundry
bin 5210, respectively. The servicing can also include recharging the battery
5204. In at least some
cases, the blackwater tank 5194 is configured to be pumped out in situ and/or
swapped for removal
of blackwater from the real estate unit 5162. Similarly, the battery 5204 can
be configured to be
recharged in situ and/or swapped for at least partial replenishment of an
electrical supply to the real
estate unit 5162. A less-full replacement for the blackwater tank 5194, a more-
fully-charged
replacement for the battery 5204, and/or other suitable replacements for
components of the real
estate unit 5162 can be delivered to the real estate unit 5162 by truck or in
another manner. The
replaced components can be collected in the same or a different manner and
transported to a central
location (e.g., a station or substation; not shown) where the components can
be efficiently processed
(e.g., emptied, cleaned, recharged, etc.) for reuse. This delivery and
collection can occur on a
regular schedule (e.g., daily, every-other-day, etc.), as needed, and/or on
demand.
[00399] As shown in Figure 129, the dock 5188 can include sensors 5212
(individually
identified as sensors 5212a-5212f) operably connected to the blackwater tank
5194, the water
reservoir 5196, the battery 5204, the trash bin 5206, the recycling bin 5208,
and the laundry bin
5210, respectively. The sensors 5212 can be wirelessly connected to a remote
server 5214 via the
router 5202 and a network 5216 (e.g., the Internet). The server 5214 can
include software that
automatically processes data from the sensors 5212 to determine when servicing
of the real estate
unit 5162 is required. For example, data from the sensor 5212a may indicate
that the blackwater
tank 5194 is at 75% of capacity and needs to be drained or swapped promptly.
As another example,
data from the sensor 5212b may indicate that the water reservoir 5196 is being
depleted faster than
it can be replenished via the hose bibb 5160 and, therefore, needs to be
independently replenished
promptly. As yet another example, data from the sensor 5212c may indicate that
the battery 5204 is
at 25% of capacity and needs to be recharged or swapped promptly. Over time,
aggregate data from
the sensors 5212 can be analyzed to establish default servicing intervals for
the real estate unit 5162.
In addition or alternatively, data from the sensors 5212 can be used to
calculate utility usage for the
real estate unit 5162 for purposes of environmental reporting and/or billing a
renter of the real estate
unit 5162. The sensors 5212a-5212f can be of suitable respective types for
monitoring the
corresponding components of the real estate unit 5162. For example, the
sensors 5212a, 5212b,
5212d-5212f can be weight sensors, level sensors, or other types of sensors
configured to measure
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fullness levels of the blackwater tank 5194, the water reservoir 5196, the
trash bin 5206, the
recycling bin 5208, and the laundry bin 5210, respectively. As another
example, the sensor 5212c
can be a charge meter or another type of sensor configured to measure a charge
of the battery 5204.
1004001 The real estate unit 5162 can include suitable utility lines and
other connections that
extend from components of the real estate unit 5162 within the interior space
5138 to components
of the real estate unit 5162 or other structures outside of the interior space
5138. For example, the
real estate unit 5162 can include a heater/cooler 5218 within the interior
space 5138, and the real
estate unit 5162 can further include refrigerant lines 5220 extending between
the heater/cooler 5218
and the heat pump 5190. Similarly, the real estate unit 5162 can include an
electrical outlet 5222
serving the interior space 5138, and the real estate unit 5162 can further
include an electrical line
5224 extending between the electrical outlet 5222 and the battery 5204. The
battery 5204,
therefore, can be configured to power an appliance (not shown) within the
interior space 5138 via
the electrical outlet 5222 and the electrical line 5224. As additional
examples of suitable utility
lines, the real estate unit 5162 can include a blackwater drain line 5226
extending between the
bathroom 5164 and the blackwater tank 5194, a cold water supply line 5228
extending between the
bathroom 5164 and the water reservoir 5196, a hot water supply line 5230
extending between the
bathroom 5164 and the water heater 5198, a greywater drain line 5232 extending
between the
bathroom 5164 and the greywater filter 5200, a plumbing ventilation line 5234
extending between
the bathroom 5164 and the exhaust filter 5192, and an exhaust line 5236 also
extending between the
bathroom 5164 and the exhaust filter 5192. The blackwater drain line 5226 and
the greywater drain
line 5232 can be sloped to convey liquid waste from the bathroom 5164 toward
the blackwater tank
5194 and the greywater filter 5200, respectively, at least partially by
gravity. To facilitate this
sloping and/or for other reasons, the bathroom 5164 can have a floor level at
least 0.5 meter (e.g., at
least 1 meter) higher than an underlying floor level of the interior space
5138. In the illustrated
embodiment, the blackwater drain line 5226 and the greywater drain line 5232
are separate. In
other embodiments, a counterpart of the real estate unit 5162 can include
combined blackwater and
greywater lines. Accordingly, the blackwater drain line 5226 and the greywater
drain line 5232 can
be more generally referred to as plumbing drain lines indicating that they can
be configured to
convey primarily blackwater, primarily greywater, or both blackwater and
greywater.
[00401] The real estate unit 5162 can further include a trash hatch 5238, a
recycling hatch
5240, and a laundry hatch 5242 within the interior space 5138. The real estate
unit 5162 can also
include a trash chute 5244 extending between the trash hatch 5238 and the
trash bin 5206, a
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recycling chute 5246 extending between the recycling hatch 5240 and the
recycling bin 5208, and a
laundry chute 5248 extending between the laundry hatch 5242 and the laundry
bin 5210. The
refrigerant lines 5220, electrical line 5224, blackwater drain line 5226, cold
water supply line 5228,
hot water supply line 5230, greywater drain line 5232, plumbing ventilation
line 5234, exhaust line
5236, trash chute 5244, recycling chute 5246, and laundry chute 5248 can
extend through the
exterior wall 5104c. For example, some or all of these lines and chutes can
extend through
retrofitted openings in the exterior wall 5104c. In at least some embodiments,
these openings are
readily patchable to facilitate returning the interior space 5138 to its
purpose-built use if the real
estate unit 5162 is decommissioned. The lines and chutes can be removably
disposed inside and/or
outside the interior space 5138. For example, the lines and chutes can be
temporary and configured
for reuse or disposal upon decommissioning of the real estate unit 5162. In at
least some
embodiments, the blackwater drain line 5226 and the greywater drain line 5232
extend above-floor
and then above-ground from the bathroom 5164 toward the blackwater tank 5194
and the greywater
filter 5200, respectively.
[00402] The dock 5188 can include additional lines, connections, and other
suitable
components associated with the components of the real estate unit 5162 at the
dock 5188. For
example, the dock 5188 can include a housing 5250 that provides security and
protection from
weather to components of the real estate unit 5162 at the dock 5188. The
housing 5250 can include
a lid (not shown) configured to be open when the real estate unit 5162 is
being serviced and closed
and locked when the real estate unit 5162 is not being serviced. In at least
some embodiments, the
lid includes solar panels (also not shown) operably connected to the battery
5204. The dock 5188
can further include couplings along some or all of the lines and chutes
described above. These
couplings can separate portions of the lines and chutes within the housing
5250 from portions of the
lines and chutes outside the housing 5250. Thus, by operation of these
couplings, the dock 5188
can be transportable as a unit with little or no need to modify internal
portions of the dock 5188 in
the field. For example, the dock 5188 can be pre-manufactured with the
internal components shown
in Figure 129, installed at the location shown in Figure 129, and then
connected up to portions of
the associated lines and chutes outside of the housing 5250.
[00403] The dock 5188 can further include couplings that facilitate
convenient removal and
replacement (e.g., swapping) of the blackwater tank 5194, the battery 5204,
the trash bin 5206, the
recycling bin 5208, and the laundry bin 5210. For example, the dock 5188 can
include a blackwater
drain quick-connect coupling 5252 through which the blackwater tank 5194 is
fluidically connected
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
to the dock 5188, the blackwater drain line 5226, and the bathroom 5164. In at
least some
embodiments, the blackwater drain quick-connect coupling 5252 includes a check
valve. Similarly,
the dock 5188 can include an electrical quick-connect coupling 5254 through
which the battery
5204 is electrically connected to the dock 5188, the electrical line 5224, and
the electrical outlet
5222. The dock 5188 can also include a floor 5256 having pads 5258
(individually identified as
pads 5258a-5258e) that facilitate convenient registration of the blackwater
tank 5194, the battery
5204, the trash bin 5206, the recycling bin 5208, and the laundry bin 5210
with the blackwater drain
quick-connect coupling 5252, the electrical quick-connect coupling 5254, the
trash chute 5244, the
recycling chute 5246, and the laundry chute 5248, respectively. For example,
the pads 5258a-5258e
can be insets in the floor 5256 that snuggly receive corresponding lower
portions of the blackwater
tank 5194, the battery 5204, the trash bin 5206, the recycling bin 5208, and
the laundry bin 5210,
respectively.
[00404] As shown in Figure 129, the dock 5188 can include a potable water
inlet 5260 and a
greywater outlet 5262. The real estate unit 5162 can include a first hose 5264
extending between
the hose bibb 5160 and the potable water inlet 5260. The real estate unit 5162
can further include a
second hose 5266 extending between the greywater outlet 5262 and a greywater
inlet 5268 of the
exterior enclosure 5180. Filtered greywater can be distributed to support the
vegetation 5184 via an
internal distribution system (e.g., a network of hoses; not shown) of the
exterior enclosure 5180.
The dock 5188 can include internal plumbing (e.g., under the floor 5256; not
shown) fluidically
connecting the water reservoir 5196 and the potable water inlet 5260, and
fluidically connecting the
greywater filter 5200 and the greywater outlet 5262. In at least some
embodiments, this internal
plumbing includes a pump (not shown). The dock 5188 can further include an
exhaust output fan
5270 and an internal duct 5272 extending between the exhaust output fan 5270
and the exhaust
filter 5192. The dock 5188 can also include an inverter 5274 operably
connected to the electrical
line 5224.
[00405] The real estate unit 5162 can be furnished or otherwise outfitted
with suitable
furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc. to accommodate its alternative use.
In the illustrated
embodiment, the real estate unit 5162 is a lodging and/or residential unit
with suitable furnishings,
fixtures, accessories, etc. within the interior space 5138 to accommodate
lodging and/or residential
use of the interior space 5138. These furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc.
can include a bed 5276,
a side table 5278, shelving units 5280 (individually identified as shelving
units 5280a, 5280b), a
writing table 5282, a chair 5284, a sofa 5286, a coffee table 5288, a
television 5290, a kitchenette
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5292, a refrigerator 5294, and a set of step stairs 5296. The kitchenette 5292
and the set of step
stairs 5296 can be operably associated with the bathroom 5164. The real estate
unit 5162 can
further include a closet 5298 disposed (e.g., removably disposed) within the
interior space 5138. In
other embodiments, a counterpart of the real estate unit 5162 can include
other suitable furnishings,
fixtures, accessories, etc. As described in further detail below, real estate
units in accordance with
other embodiments of the present technology can be rentable office units,
rentable assembly units,
and/or have other suitable primarily uses in addition to or instead of lodging
and/or residential uses.
Furthermore, rentable real estate units in accordance with embodiments of the
present technology
can be directly rentable, rentable via a membership system (e.g., in a member-
based network of real
estate units), rentable under short-term use arrangements (e.g., lodging
arrangements), and/or
rentable in another manner.
[00406] Figure 130 is an enlarged view of a first portion of Figure 129
showing the barrier
5172. Figures 131 and 132 are, respectively, a cross-sectional exterior side
profile view and a
cross-sectional interior side profile view of a portion of the real estate
unit 5162 corresponding to
the first portion of Figure 129 shown in Figure 130. With reference to Figures
129-132 together,
the real estate unit 5162 can include a first mass of self-leveling material
5300 (e.g., a first
disposable mass of hardened self-leveling grout) underlying the barrier 5172.
The first mass of self-
leveling material 5300 can be molded and, in at least some cases, is
integrally formed along most or
all of an overall footprint of the barrier 5172. During formation of the first
mass of self-leveling
material 5300, the constituent self-leveling material can be of sufficiently
low viscosity to level
itself by gravity. Thus, the first mass of self-leveling material 5300 can
automatically conform to
slopes, dips, and/or other irregularities in a ground surface at which the
barrier 5172 is installed.
[00407] In at least some embodiments, the second outdoor area 5126 has a
paved surface 5301
that is not level. The real estate unit 5162 can include a second mass of self-
leveling material 5302
(e.g., a second disposable mass of hardened self-leveling grout) underlying
the exterior wall
components 5182. Similar to the first mass of self-leveling material 5300, the
second mass of self-
leveling material 5302 can be molded and, in at least some cases, is
integrally formed along most or
all of an overall footprint of the exterior enclosure 5180. During formation
of the second mass of
self-leveling material 5302, the constituent self-leveling material can be of
sufficiently low viscosity
to level itself by gravity. Thus, the second mass of self-leveling material
5302 can automatically
conform to slopes, dips, and/or other irregularities in the paved surface
5301. When at least
partially cured, the second mass of self-leveling material 5302 can provide
the exterior enclosure
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
5180 with a reliably level surface that facilitates vertical stacking of the
exterior wall components
5182.
[00408] As shown in Figure 131, the exterior enclosure 5180 can include
base blocks 5304
between the second mass of self-leveling material 5302 and the lowermost row
of the exterior wall
components 5182. The exterior wall components 5182 can be hollow and can
contain planting
medium 5306. The base blocks 5304 can also be hollow and can contain
antimicrobial medium
5308. The exterior enclosure 5180 can further include a soaker hose 5309 that
receives filtered
greywater from the second hose 5266. In the illustrated embodiment, the soaker
hose 5309 is
loosely disposed in a serpentine manner at an upper portion of an uppermost
row of the exterior
wall components 5182 within the exterior enclosure 5180. The soaker hose 5309
can distribute
filtered greywater throughout the planting medium 5306 at the uppermost row of
the exterior wall
components 5182. Once the planting medium 5306 at the uppermost row of the
exterior wall
components 5182 is saturated, the filtered greywater can move by gravity
and/or capillary action to
the planting medium 5306 at a second-to-uppermost row of the exterior wall
components 5182
within the exterior enclosure 5180. This process can continue until the
filtered greywater reaches
the antimicrobial medium 5308. The antimicrobial medium 5308 can be a
synthetic sponge or other
suitable substrate that reduces or eliminates pooling of the excess filtered
greywater within the base
blocks 5304. Excess filtered greywater within the antimicrobial medium 5308
can drain from the
base blocks 5304 onto the paved surface 5301 and along the paved surface 5301
to a storm drain
(not shown). In other embodiments, the filtered greywater can be distributed
through the exterior
enclosure 5180 in another manner. For example, a counterpart of the exterior
enclosure 5180 can
include separate soaker hoses at respective rows of counterparts of the
exterior wall components
5182. These soaker hoses can be connected to a counterpart of the second hose
5266 via a
manifold. In still other embodiments, a counterpart of the exterior enclosure
5180 can have an
irrigation system that uses freshwater instead of filtered greywater, or no
irrigation system at all.
[00409] With reference again to Figures 129-132 together, the barrier 5172
can include a frame
5310, hinges 5312 operably connecting the door 5176 and the frame 5310 to one
another, and a
handle 5314 that facilitates operation of the door 5176 from outside the
interior space 5138. The
barrier 5172 can further include a smart lock 5316 configured to allow a
renter of the real estate unit
5162 to unlock the door 5176 by operation of a mobile device (e.g. a mobile
phone), by entering a
passcode, by providing a biometric identification (e.g., a fingerprint), or in
another manner. The
barrier 5172 can be removably fastened to the exterior wall 5104c. In the
illustrated embodiment,
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
the barrier 5172 is removably bolted to the exterior wall 5104c. In other
embodiments, a
counterpart of the barrier 5172 can be removably screwed to the exterior wall
5104c, removably
clamped to the exterior wall 5104c, and/or removably fastened to the exterior
wall 5104c in another
manner in addition to or instead of being removably bolted to the exterior
wall 5104c. In still other
embodiments, a counterpart of the barrier 5172 can be permanently installed at
the exterior wall
5104c.
[00410] With reference again to Figures 129-132, the barrier 5172 can
include a gasket 5318
disposed between the frame 5310 and the exterior wall 5104c. The gasket 5318
can be
compressible such that it conforms to irregularities in the exterior wall
5104c and thereby enhances
a weather resistance of a connection between the barrier 5172 and the exterior
wall 5104c. The
barrier 5172 can further include bolts 5320 that extend through the frame
5310, through the gasket
5318, and through the exterior wall 5104c. At an inside surface of the
exterior wall 5104c, the
barrier 5172 can include furring strips 5322 through which the bolts 5320 also
extend, and nuts
5324 operably connected to the bolts 5320 and bearing on the furring strips
5322. In the illustrated
embodiment, the barrier 5172 is an overlay that covers the opening 5134 at an
exterior side of the
exterior wall 5104c. In other embodiments, the barrier 5172 can have another
form and/or position
relative to the opening 5134. For example, rather than being disposed at the
exterior side of the
exterior wall 5104c, a counterpart of the barrier 5113 can be disposed at an
interior side of the
exterior wall 5104c.
[00411] As shown in Figure 132, in the illustrated embodiment, the overhead
door 5136 is
stowed within the interior space 5138 in an open state. For example, the door
track 5158 can
remain in place after the interior space 5138 is retrofitted for an
alternative use. A motor (not
shown) operably connected to the overhead door 5136 can be temporarily
disabled so that the
overhead door 5136 remains out-of-service during operation of the real estate
unit 5162. Leaving
the overhead door 5136 and the door track 5158 in place after the interior
space 5138 is retrofitted
for an alternative use can be useful, for example, to reduce an investment
necessary to return the
interior space 5138 its purpose-built use, as needed. In other embodiments,
the overhead door 5136
can be removed from the interior space 5138 when the interior space 5138 is
retrofitted for an
alternative use. In still other embodiments, a counterpart of the overhead
door 5136 can be
retrofitted with windows and/or a doorway. In these embodiments, the
counterpart of the overhead
door 5136 can take the place of the barrier 5172.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00412] Figure 133 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a portion of a
real estate unit in
accordance with another embodiment of the present technology corresponding to
the first portion of
Figure 129 shown in Figure 130. The real estate unit shown in Figure 133
includes a barrier 5350.
In contrast to the barrier 5172 shown in Figures 129-132, the barrier 5350 is
an insert rather than an
overlay. For example, the barrier 5350 can be disposed within the opening 5134
rather than at an
exterior or interior side of the exterior wall 5104c. As shown in Figure 133,
the barrier 5350 can
include a frame 5352 that is narrower than the opening 5134. The barrier 5350
can further include a
gasket 5354 disposed between the frame 5352 and sidewalls of the opening 5134.
The barrier 5350
can also include screws 5356 extending laterally into portions of the exterior
wall 5104c on opposite
sides of the opening 5134. The gasket 5354 can be layered to compensate for a
difference between
a width of the frame 5352 and a width of the opening 5134, such as when the
barrier 5350 is a
standard size and the opening 5134 is a non-standard size. Although not
adaptable to as wide a
range of opening widths as the barrier 5172 described above, the barrier 5350
may be preferred over
the barrier 5172 in some cases for aesthetic or other reasons.
[00413] Figure 134 is an enlarged view of a second portion of Figure 129
showing a portion of
the exterior enclosure 5180. Figures 135 and 136 are cross-sectional exterior
side profile views of a
portion of the real estate unit 5162 corresponding to the second portion of
Figure 129 shown in
Figure 134 with the vegetation 5184 shown and not shown, respectively. Figure
12 is an enlarged
view of a portion of Figure 136. With reference to Figures 129-132 and 134-137
together, the
exterior enclosure 5180 can include staggered rows of the exterior wall
components 5182. For
example, the exterior wall components 5182 at a corner of the exterior
enclosure 5180 distant from
the exterior wall 5104c can alternate row-to-row between larger and smaller L-
shapes. Similarly,
the exterior wall components 5182 at a portion of the exterior enclosure 5180
closest to the exterior
wall 5104c and at a portion of the exterior enclosure 5180 closest to the
neighboring commercial
building 5101b can alternate row-to-row between larger and smaller rectangular
shapes. Elsewhere
within the exterior enclosure 5180, the exterior wall components 5182 can have
the larger
rectangular shape.
[00414] The overall exterior enclosure 5180 can be at least substantially
self-supporting and/or
at least substantially free-standing. As shown in Figure 137, the exterior
wall components 5182 can
be stacked within the exterior enclosure 5180. Furthermore, the exterior wall
components 5182 can
be interlocking within the exterior enclosure 5180. For example, the
individual exterior wall
components 5182 can include downwardly extending flanges 5400 that are
received within
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
successively lower exterior wall components 5182. The base blocks 5304 can be
configured to
receive the flanges 5400 of the exterior wall components 5182 within a lowest
row of exterior wall
components 5182 within the exterior enclosure 5180. As discussed above, the
exterior wall
components 5182 can be planters. In at least some embodiments, the exterior
wall components
5182 include apertures 5402 through which the vegetation 5184 grows outwardly
from roots (not
shown) within the exterior wall components 5182. The apertures 5402 can be
large enough to allow
passage of bulbs, cuttings, seedlings, etc. (not just seeds) into the planting
medium 5306 after the
exterior enclosure 5180 is assembled. For example, the individual apertures
5402 can have a width
greater than 2 centimeters, such as a width within a range from 2 to 8
centimeters. As discussed
above, the exterior enclosure 5180 can be configured to facilitate
distribution of filtered greywater
throughout the planting medium 5306. The base blocks 5304 can include holes
5406 through which
excess filtered greywater exits the exterior enclosure 5180.
[00415] As shown in Figure 135, the apertures 5402 can be differentially
planted to form a
brand identifier 5404 (e.g., a trade and/or service mark) or other design at
an exterior side (e.g., an
alley-facing side) of the exterior enclosure 5180. Differential planting can
include selectively
planting the apertures 5402 with multiple types of plants and/or selectively
planting and not
planting the apertures 5402 with a single type of plant. For example, the non-
planted apertures
5402 can be capped. Forming a brand identifier 5404 by differential planting
can be useful to
balance aesthetic considerations with the need for clear communication of a
brand associated with
the real estate unit 5162 to consumers. The apertures 5402 can collectively
form an array that
facilitates forming the brand identifier 5404 in a consistent manner when the
real estate unit 5162 is
one of many real estate units for which the brand identifier 5404 is
applicable. For example, a
given aperture 5402 can be planted with a predetermined plant depending on its
position within the
array according to a reproducible plan. A template (not shown) can be
temporarily placed over the
exterior side of the exterior enclosure 5180 and registered to the array to
facilitate rapid execution
of the plan with little or no need for customized execution of the plan in the
field. Furthermore,
using relatively large and/or more mature plantings can allow the vegetation
5184 to be formed
more efficiently and/or with less lead time than would be the case using
seeds.
[00416] Figure 138 is side profile view of a given one of the exterior wall
components 5182
separate from other portions of the exterior enclosure 5180. Figure 139 is a
cross-sectional top plan
view of the given exterior wall component 5182 taken along the line 139-139 in
Figure 138. Figure
140 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the given exterior wall component
5182 taken along
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
the line 140-140 in Figure 138. Figure 141 is a cross-sectional end plan view
of the given exterior
wall component 5182 taken along the line 141-141 in Figure 138. Figure 142 is
an enlarged view of
a portion of Figure 141. The given exterior wall component 5182 can be of the
large rectangular
type. In at least some embodiments, other (e.g., most or all) of the exterior
wall components 5182
of the large rectangular type within the exterior enclosure 5180 at least
substantially match the
given exterior wall component 5182. Furthermore, exterior wall components 5182
of other types
(e.g., small rectangular, large L-shaped, small L-shaped, etc.) can have the
same or similar features
as the features of the given exterior wall component 5182. With reference to
Figures 138-142
together, the given exterior wall component 5182 can include a rigid shell
5408, a package 5410
removably disposed within the shell 5408, and a rigid plate 5412 also
removably disposed within
the shell 5408. The package 5410 can contain the planting medium 5306 in a
tidy form. The plate
5412 can support the package 5410.
[00417] The shell 5408 can include a first side panel 5414 and an opposite
second side panel
5416 parallel to and spaced apart from the first side panel 5414. Similarly,
the shell 5408 can
include a first end panel 5418 and an opposite second end panel 5420 parallel
to and spaced apart
from the first end panel 5418. The first and second side panels 5414, 5416 and
the first and second
end panels 5418, 5420 can define an interior region of the given exterior wall
component 5182
shaped, for example, as a rectangular solid. The apertures 5402 can extend
through the shell 5408
at the first and second side panels 5414, 5416. Alternatively, the apertures
5402 can extend through
the shell 5408 at only the first side panel 5414 or at only the second side
panel 5416 if the
vegetation 5184 is only desired at one or the other of the interior and
exterior sides of the exterior
enclosure 5180.
[00418] In at least some embodiments, the shell 5408 is collapsible from an
expanded state to a
compact (e.g., at least partially flattened) state. For example, at corners
where the first and second
side panels 5414, 5416 and the first and second end panels 5418, 5420 meet,
the given exterior wall
component 5182 can include hinges (not shown), such as flexure bearings or
piano hinges, that
allow each corner to fold in a direction that causes the first and second side
panels 5414, 5416 and
the first and second end panels 5418, 5420 to at least partially flatten. This
feature can facilitate
efficient storage and transport of the shell 5408 before and/or after its
deployment at the real estate
unit 5162. In at least some embodiments, the plate 5412 helps to hold the
shell 5408 in the
expanded state. As shown in Figure 142, a lowermost portion of the first side
panel 5414 can
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
overlap an uppermost portion of one the flanges 5400. The plate 5412 can rest
on upper edges of
the flanges 5400.
[00419] The given exterior wall component 5182 can include two of the
flanges 5400 at the
first side panel 5414 and another two of the flanges 5400 at the second side
panel 5416. As shown
in Figure 141, the flanges 5400 can be parallel to and inset relative to the
corresponding first and
second side panels 5414, 5416. Between the flanges 5400 at the first side
panel 5414 and between
the flanges 5400 at the second side panel 5416, the given exterior wall
component 5182 can include
respective slots 5422. When the given exterior wall component 5182 is
assembled with other
exterior wall components 5182 of the large rectangular type within the
exterior enclosure 5180, one
of the flanges 5400 at the first side panel 5414 and an opposing one of the
flanges 5400 at the
second side panel 5416 can be received within the interior region of a first
neighboring lower
exterior wall component 5182. Similarly, the other of the flanges 5400 at the
first side panel 5414
and the other of the flanges 5400 at the second side panel 5416 can be
received within the interior
region of a second neighboring lower exterior wall component 5182 adjacent to
the first
neighboring lower exterior wall component 5182. The second end panel 5420 of
the first
neighboring lower exterior wall component 5182 and the first end panel 5418 of
the second
neighboring lower exterior wall component 5182 can be directly adjacent to one
another and
received within the slots 5422 of the given exterior wall component 5182. This
interaction between
the exterior wall components 5182 can facilitate convenient assembly of the
exterior enclosure 5180
with neighboring rows of the exterior wall components 5182 evenly staggered.
[00420] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side panels
5414, 5416 are thinner
than the first and second end panels 5418, 5420 and made of a different
material. For example, the
first and second side panels 5414, 5416 can be metal (e.g., iron) and the
first and second end panels
5418, 5420 can be cementitious (e.g., fiber-reinforced cement). The metal
composition of the first
and second side panels 5414, 5416 can be useful, for example, for aesthetics,
to facilitate magnetic
coupling of fixtures and accessories to the exterior enclosure 5180, and/or
for other reasons. The
cementitious composition of the first and second end panels 5418, 5420 can be
useful, for example,
to reduce noise transmission through the exterior enclosure 5180, for cost
savings, and/or for other
reasons. In other embodiments, the first and second side panels 5414, 5416 and
the first and second
end panels 5418, 5420 can have other compositions. The package 5410 can be
reusable and/or
compostable. Furthermore, the package 5410 can be configured to remain at
least substantially
intact for convenient reuse and/or composting upon disassembly of the exterior
enclosure 5180. In
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
at least some embodiments, the package 5410 includes a biodegradable skin 5424
that contains the
planting medium 5306. When the exterior enclosure 5180 is assembled, the skin
5424 can be
punctured via the apertures 5402. Suitable materials for the skin 5424 include
burlap and cotton,
among others. As shown in Figure 143, the plate 5412 can include perforations
5426 through which
water can flow by gravity from one exterior wall component 5182 to a
neighboring lower exterior
wall component 5182 (or base block 5304).
[00421] Figure 143 is an enlarged view of a third portion of Figure 129
showing a portion of
the compartmentalizing assembly 5185. Figures 144 and 145 are, respectively, a
cross-sectional
exterior (i.e., facing outward relative to the compartment 5186) side profile
view and a cross-
sectional interior (i.e., facing inward relative to the compartment 5186) side
profile view of a
portion of the real estate unit 5162 corresponding to the third portion of
Figure 129 shown in Figure
143. With reference to Figures 129 and 143-146 together, the
compartmentalizing assembly 5185
can include staggered rows of the interior wall components 5187. For example,
the interior wall
components 5187 at a corner of the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 distant
from the exterior
wall 5104b can alternate row-to-row between larger and smaller L-shapes.
Similarly, the interior
wall components 5187 at a portion of the compartmentalizing assembly 5185
closest to the exterior
wall 5104b and at a portion of the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 closest to
the exterior wall
5104c can alternate row-to-row between larger and smaller rectangular shapes.
Elsewhere within
the compartmentalizing assembly 5185, the interior wall components 5187 can
have the larger
rectangular shape. The overall compartmentalizing assembly 5185 can be at
least substantially self-
supporting and/or at least substantially free-standing.
[00422] The interior space 5138 can have a finished floor surface 5450 over
which the interior
wall components 5187 are removably disposed, a finished wall surface 5452
beside which the
interior wall components 5187 are removably disposed, and a finished ceiling
surface 5454 below
which the interior wall components 5187 are removably disposed. The
compartmentalizing
assembly 5185 can include a liner 5456 disposed (e.g., removably or
permanently disposed) on the
finished floor surface 5450 below the interior wall components 5187. For
example, the liner 5456
can be adhesively connected to the finished floor surface 5450. The liner 5456
can be useful, for
example, to protect the finished floor surface 5450 from components of the
compartmentalizing
assembly 5185, to facilitate layout the compartmentalizing assembly 5185, to
reduce or eliminate
the possibility of shifting of the compartmentalizing assembly 5185, and/or
for other purposes.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
Suitable materials for the liner 5456 include strips of peel-and-stick house
wrap and strips of peel-
and-stick roof underlayment. The liner 5456 can be disposable or reusable.
[00423] In at least some embodiments, the compartmentalizing assembly 5185
includes
additional components that facilitate compatibility between the interior wall
components 5187 and
the interior space 5138 when the interior wall components 5187 have standard
dimensions and the
interior space 5138 has irregular dimensions. For example, the
compartmentalizing assembly 5185
can include a third mass of self-leveling material 5458 (e.g., a disposable
mass of hardened self-
leveling grout) under the interior wall components 5187 and over the liner
5456. The third mass of
self-leveling material 5458 can be molded and, in at least some cases, is
integrally formed along
most or all of an overall footprint of the compartmentalizing assembly 5185.
During formation of
the third mass of self-leveling material 5458, the constituent self-leveling
material can be of
sufficiently low viscosity to level itself by gravity. Thus, the third mass of
self-leveling material
5458 can automatically conform to slopes, dips, and other irregularities in
the finished floor surface
5450. When at least partially cured, the third mass of self-leveling material
5458 can provide the
compartmentalizing assembly 5185 with a reliably level surface that
facilitates vertical stacking of
the interior wall components 5187.
[00424] As shown in Figures 143 and 144, the compartmentalizing assembly
5185 can include
compressible batting 5460 disposed (e.g., stuffed) into a vertical gap between
the interior wall
components 5187 and the finished wall surface 5452 and disposed (e.g.,
stuffed) into a horizontal
gap between the interior wall components 5187 and the finished ceiling surface
5454. In the
illustrated embodiment, the batting 5460 is not present between the
compartmentalizing assembly
5185 and the exterior wall 5104c. Thus, the batting 5460 can be present along
some joints between
the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 and corresponding surfaces of the
interior space 5138 and
not others. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the batting 5460 can be
present at all or no
counterparts of these joints. When present, the batting 5460 can be reusable.
Furthermore, the
batting 5460 can be non-combustible. For example, the batting 5460 can be
reusable bundles of
lined or unlined mineral wool insulation. As shown in Figure 145, the
compartmentalizing
assembly 5185 can include inwardly facing molding panels 5462 that hide the
batting 5460 from
inside the compartment 5186. The molding panels 5462 can be attached to the
interior wall
components 5187 magnetically, adhesively, mechanically, or in another manner.
In at least some
embodiments, the overall compartmentalizing assembly 5185 has a fire rating of
at least two hours.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
This can be useful, for example, for building-code compliance when the real
estate unit 5162 has a
use different than another ongoing use within the commercial building 5100.
[00425] The interior wall components 5187 can include features similar to
those described
above for the exterior wall components 5182. For example, the individual
interior wall components
5187 can include downwardly extending flanges 5464 that are received within
successively lower
interior wall components 5187. The compartmentalizing assembly 5185 can
further include base
blocks 5466 configured to receive the flanges 5464 of the interior wall
components 5187 within a
lowest row of interior wall components 5187 within the compartmentalizing
assembly 5185. When
fully assembled, the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 can be strong enough to
support fixtures
and accessories (e.g., electrical conduits, monitors, shelving, moldings,
artwork, furniture supports,
etc.). In at least some embodiments, exposed portions of the interior wall
components 5187 are at
least partially made of ferrous metal such that fixtures and accessories can
be connected to the
compartmentalizing assembly 5185 magnetically. In addition or alternatively,
the interior wall
components 5187 can include coupling components 5468 that allow fixtures and
accessories to be
connected to the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 mechanically and/or by
gravity.
[00426] Figure 147 is side profile view of a given one of the interior wall
components 5187
separate from other portions of the compartmentalizing assembly 5185. Figure
148 is a cross-
sectional top plan view of the given interior wall component 5187 taken along
the line 148-148 in
Figure 147. Figure 149 is a cross-sectional end plan view of the given
interior wall component
5187 taken along the line 149-149 in Figure 147. The given interior wall
component 5187 is of the
large rectangular type. In at least some embodiments, other (e.g., most or
all) of the interior wall
components 5187 of the large rectangular type within the compartmentalizing
assembly 5185 at
least substantially match the given interior wall component 5187. Furthermore,
interior wall
components 5187 of other types (e.g., small rectangular, large L-shaped, small
L-shaped, etc.) can
have the same or similar features as the features of the given interior wall
component 5187. With
reference to Figures 147-149 together, the given interior wall component 5187
can include a shell
5470 having a first side panel 5472 and an opposite second side panel 5474
parallel to and spaced
apart from the first side panel 5472. Similarly, the shell 5470 can include a
first end panel 5476 and
an opposite second end panel 5478 parallel to and spaced apart from the first
end panel 5476. The
first and second side panels 5472, 5474 and the first and second end panels
5476, 5478 can define
an interior region of the given interior wall component 5187 shaped, for
example, as a rectangular
solid.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00427] The given interior wall component 5187 can include two of the
flanges 5464 at the
first side panel 5472 and another two of the flanges 5464 at the second side
panel 5474. As shown
in Figure 147, the flanges 5464 can be parallel to and inset relative to the
corresponding first and
second side panels 5472, 5474. Between the flanges 5464 at the first side
panel 5472 and between
the flanges 5464 at the second side panel 5474, the given interior wall
component 5187 can include
respective slots 5480. When the given interior wall component 5187 is
assembled with other
interior wall components 5187 of the large rectangular type within the
compartmentalizing
assembly 5185, one of the flanges 5464 at the first side panel 5472 and an
opposing one of the
flanges 5464 at the second side panel 5474 can be received within the interior
region of a first
neighboring lower interior wall component 5187. Similarly, the other of the
flanges 5464 at the
first side panel 5472 and the other of the flanges 5464 at the second side
panel 5474 can be received
within the interior region of a second neighboring lower interior wall
component 5187 adjacent to
the first neighboring lower interior wall component 5187. The second end panel
5478 of the first
neighboring lower interior wall component 5187 and the first end panel 5476 of
the second
neighboring lower interior wall component 5187 can be directly adjacent to one
another and
received within the slots 5480 of the given interior wall component 5187. This
interaction between
the interior wall components 5187 can facilitate convenient assembly of the
compartmentalizing
assembly 5185 with neighboring rows of the interior wall components 5187
evenly staggered.
[00428] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side panels
5472, 5474 are thinner
than the first and second end panels 5476, 5478 and made of a different
material. For example, the
first and second side panels 5472, 5474 can be metal (e.g., iron) and the
first and second end panels
5476, 5478 can be cementitious (e.g., fiber-reinforced cement). The metal
composition of the first
and second side panels 5472, 5474 can be useful, for example, for aesthetics,
to facilitate magnetic
coupling of fixtures and accessories to the compartmentalizing assembly 5185,
and/or for other
reasons. The cementitious composition of the first and second end panels 5476,
5478 can be useful,
for example, to reduce noise transmission through the compartmentalizing
assembly 5185, for cost
savings, and/or for other reasons. In other embodiments, the first and second
side panels 5472,
5474 and the first and second end panels 5476, 5478 can have other
compositions.
[00429] The given interior wall component 5187 can further include batting
5482 disposed
within its interior region. Similar to the batting 5460 described above, the
batting 5482 can be
reusable and/or non-combustible. For example, the batting 5482 can be reusable
bundles of lined or
unlined mineral wool insulation. In at least some embodiments, the batting
5482 is removable.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
Furthermore, the shell 5470 can be collapsible from an expanded state to a
compact (e.g., at least
partially flattened) state. For example, at corners where the first and second
side panels 5472, 5474
and the first and second end panels 5476, 5478 meet, the given interior wall
component 5187 can
include hinges (not shown), such as flexure bearings or piano hinges, that
allow each corner to fold
in a direction that causes the first and second side panels 5472, 5474 and the
first and second end
panels 5476, 5478 to at least partially flatten. This feature can facilitate
efficient storage and
transport of the shell 5470 before and/or after its deployment at the real
estate unit 5162. When the
shell 5470 is collapsible, the given interior wall component 5187 can include
a rectangular inset
(not shown) similar to the plate 5412 discussed above in the context of the
exterior wall component
5182. The inset can be removably disposed within the interior of the given
interior wall component
5187 such that it rests on upper edges of the flanges 5464. When present, the
inset can help the
given interior wall component 5187 maintain its rectangular form during use.
When the shell 5470
is collapsed, the inset can be removed.
[00430] Figure 150 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 149. As shown
in Figure 150, a
lowermost portion of the first side panel 5472 can overlap an uppermost
portion of one the flanges
5464. Figure 150 further illustrates a given one of the coupling components
5468 at the lowermost
portion of the first side panel 5472. In at least some embodiments, other
(e.g., most or all) of the
coupling components 5468 of interior wall components 5187 within the
compartmentalizing
assembly 5185 at least substantially match the coupling component 5468
illustrated in Figure 150.
The coupling component 5468 can include a notch 5484 and a plug 5486 removably
disposed
within the notch 5484. The plug 5486 can include a magnet 5488 that releasably
connects the plug
5486 to the uppermost portion of the adjacent flange 5464. The plug 5486 can
be disposed within
the notch 5484 when the coupling component 5468 is not in use. Removing the
plug 5486 from the
notch 5484 can expose an opening into the interior of the given interior wall
component 5187. A
mechanical fastener (e.g., a hook) (not shown) can be inserted into this
opening. In this way,
relatively heavy fixtures and accessories can be connected to the
compartmentalizing assembly
5185 through a reliable mechanical connection in addition to or instead of a
magnetic connection.
[00431] Figure 151 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
5490 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
5138 within the
commercial building 5100 taken along the line 151-151 in Figure 126 with the
interior space 5138
in the second state. Figure 152 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure
151. Figure 153 is a
cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a portion of the real estate
unit 5490 corresponding to
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the portion of Figure 151 shown in Figure 152. With reference to Figures 151-
153 together, the real
estate unit 5490 can include a compartmentalizing assembly 5491 having ceiling
components (e.g.,
reusable ceiling components) removably disposed within the commercial building
5100. For
example, the compartmentalizing assembly 5491 can include rigid ceiling panels
5492 and elongate
ceiling beams 5493 interspersed between the ceiling panels 5492. The ceiling
beams 5493 can
support the ceiling panels 5492, and the interior wall components 5187 can
support the ceiling
beams 5493. The interior wall components 5187 can be assembled into walls,
columns, or other
suitable structures that extend between the ceiling beams 5493 and the
finished floor surface 5450.
For example, the compartmentalizing assembly 5491 can include a wall 5494
parallel to and spaced
apart from the exterior wall 5104c, and a series of columns (not shown)
abutting an interior surface
of the exterior wall 5104c. The ceiling beams 5493 can extend between the wall
5494 and the
columns. When a distance between the wall 5494 and the columns does not
correspond to a
multiple of the length of the ceiling panels 5492, and in other cases, the
ceiling panels 5492 and the
ceiling beams 5493 can be cantilevered over the wall 5494.
[00432] As shown in Figure 153, the individual ceiling beams 5493 can have
an I-shape
transverse cross-section including two channels at opposite sides of a central
web. The individual
ceiling panels 5492 can have side edge portions snugly received within
corresponding channels of
adjacent ceiling beams 5493. Together, the ceiling panels 5492 and the ceiling
beams 5493 can
form a ceiling 5495 of the real estate unit 5490. The ceiling 5495 can be
below an airspace 5496
within the commercial building 5100. The commercial building 5100 can include
a central heating
system 5497 (shown schematically) operable to heat the airspace 5496 and
thereby provide below-
room-temperature baseline heating to the interior space 5138 via the ceiling
5495. The real estate
unit 5490 can include a supplemental heater 5498 (shown schematically)
operable to provide
supplemental heating to the interior space 5138.
[00433] With reference again to the real estate unit 5162, Figures 154,
155, 156 and 157 are,
respectively, a first side profile view, an opposite second side profile view,
a first end profile view,
and an opposite second end profile view of the bathroom 5164. With reference
to Figures 154-157
together, the bathroom 5164 can include a rectangular floor module 5500, a
rectangular ceiling
module 5502 vertically spaced apart from the floor module 5500, and a
plurality of wall modules
5504 (individually identified as wall modules 5504a-5504d) removably connected
to the floor and
ceiling modules 5500, 5502 at respective perimeter portions of the floor and
ceiling modules 5500,
5502. The bathroom 5164 can further include a lower gasket 5506 disposed
between the perimeter
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portion of the floor module 5500 and the wall modules 5504, and an upper
gasket 5508 disposed
between the perimeter portion of the ceiling module 5502 and the wall modules
5504. The floor
module 5500 can include upwardly extending tabs 5510 through which the floor
module 5500 is
secured to the wall modules 5504. Similarly, the ceiling module 5502 can
include downwardly
extending tabs 5512 through which the ceiling module 5502 is secured to the
wall modules 5504.
The wall modules 5504c, 5504d can include vertical flanges 5514 at which the
wall modules 5504c,
5504d are secured to the wall modules 5504a, 5504b. The bathroom 5164 can
include bolts 5516
and associated nuts 5518 at the upwardly extending tabs 5510, the downwardly
extending tabs
5512, and the vertical flanges 5514.
[00434] At the wall module 5504a (Figure 156), the bathroom 5164 can
include a doorway
opening 5520, a frame 5522 extending around the doorway opening 5520, and a
door 5524 disposed
within the doorway opening 5520 and hingedly connected to the frame 5522. The
bathroom 5164
can further include a handle 5526 and hinges 5528 operably associated with the
door 5524. At the
wall module 5504c (Figure 154), the bathroom 5164 can include a plumbing
ventilation hookup
5530 and an exhaust hookup 5532. The plumbing ventilation hookup 5530 and the
exhaust hookup
5532 can be configured for convenient connection to and disconnection from the
plumbing
ventilation line 5234 and the exhaust line 5236 (Figure 129), respectively,
such as via quick-release
couplings (not shown). The wall modules 5504c, 5504d can extend between the
wall modules
5504a, 5504b at opposite sides of the bathroom 5164. As discussed above, the
bathroom 5164 can
be configured to be elevated above a floor surface of the interior space 5138.
For this purpose
and/or another purpose, the floor module 5500 can include feet 5533. In at
least some
embodiments, a gap between the feet 5533 is large enough to allow the bathroom
5164, when fully
assembled, to be conveniently moved by forklift. At the ceiling module 5502,
the bathroom 5164
can include skylights 5534 that allow ambient light within the interior space
5138 to enter an
interior of the bathroom 5164.
[00435] At a side of the floor module 5500 below the wall module 5504c, the
bathroom 5164
can include a blackwater drain hookup 5535, a main cold water supply hookup
5536, and a main hot
water supply hookup 5538. At an end of the floor module 5500 below the wall
module 5504a, the
bathroom 5164 can include a main electrical hookup 5540 and a main greywater
drain hookup
5541. The blackwater drain hookup 5535, the main cold water supply hookup
5536, the main hot
water supply hookup 5538, the main electrical hookup 5540, and the main
greywater drain hookup
5541 can be configured for convenient connection to and disconnection from the
blackwater drain
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line 5226, the cold water supply line 5228, the hot water supply line 5230,
the electrical line 5224,
and the greywater drain line 5232, respectively, such as via quick-release
couplings (not shown).
At a side of the floor module 5500 below the wall module 5504d, the bathroom
5164 can include an
auxiliary greywater drain hookup 5542, an auxiliary cold water supply hookup
5544, an auxiliary
hot water supply hookup 5546, and an auxiliary electrical hookup 5548. The
auxiliary greywater
drain hookup 5542, the auxiliary cold water supply hookup 5544, the auxiliary
hot water supply
hookup 5546, and the auxiliary electrical hookup 5548 can be configured for
convenient connection
to and disconnection from corresponding lines (not shown) of the kitchenette
5292, such as via
quick-release couplings (not shown).
[00436] Figure 158 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 5164
taken along the line
158-158 in Figure 154. As shown in Figure 158, the floor module 5500 can
include a deck 5554 on
which the sink 5166, the toilet 5168, and the bath/shower 5170 are disposed
(e.g., removably
disposed). The sink 5166 can include a basin 5562, a sink drain 5564, a sink
faucet 5566, a sink hot
water knob 5568, and a sink cold water knob 5570 operably connected to one
another. The toilet
5168 can include a tank 5572, a bowl 5574, and a toilet drain 5576 operably
connected to one
another. The bath/shower 5170 can include a tub 5578, a bath/shower drain
5580, a tub faucet
5582, a tub cold water knob 5584, a tub hot water knob 5586, a cold water
conduit 5588, and a hot
water conduit 5590 operably connected to one another. The cold water conduit
5588 can include a
riser 5592 and a first branch 5594 extending between the riser 5592 and the
tub faucet 5582. The
tub cold water knob 5584 can be disposed along the first branch 5594 and
operable to control a flow
of cold water from the cold water conduit 5588 to the tub faucet 5582.
Similarly, the hot water
conduit 5590 can include a riser 5596 and a first branch 5598 extending
between the riser 5596 and
the tub faucet 5582. The tub hot water knob 5586 can be disposed along the
first branch 5598 and
operable to control a flow of hot water from the hot water conduit 5590 to the
tub faucet 5582.
[00437] The bathroom 5164 can include an electrical conduit 5600, and a
junction box 5602
operably connected to the electrical conduit 5600. The bathroom 5164 can
further include a first
plumbing ventilation conduit 5604 disposed between the sink 5166 and the
toilet 5168, and a
second plumbing ventilation conduit 5605 disposed between the sink 5166 and
the bath/shower
5170. The first and second plumbing ventilation conduits 5604, 5605 can be
configured to ventilate
blackwater and greywater plumbing, respectively. The bathroom 5164 can still
further include a
floor drain 5606 disposed between the toilet 5168 and the bath/shower 5170.
Figure 159 is an
enlarged view of a portion of Figure 158. With reference to Figures 158 and
159 together, the
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bathroom 5164 can include vertical gaskets 5608 disposed between the
respective vertical flanges
5514 and corresponding portions of the wall modules 5504a, 5504b. Similarly,
the bathroom 5164
can include lower tab gaskets 5610 disposed between the respective upwardly
extending tabs 5510
and corresponding portions of the wall modules 5504.
[00438] Figure 160 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom
5164 taken along the
line 160-160 in Figure 154. As shown in Figure 160, the bathroom 5164 can
include a light fixture
5612 attached to the wall module 5504c above the sink 5166. The bathroom 5164
can further
include an exhaust intake fan 5614 attached to the ceiling module 5502. The
electrical conduit 5600
can extend from the junction box 5602 (Figure 158) to the light fixture 5612,
and from the light
fixture 5612 to the exhaust intake fan 5614. The first and second plumbing
ventilation conduits
5604, 5605 can merge and extend along an inner corner between the ceiling
module 5502 and the
wall module 5504c to the plumbing ventilation hookup 5530 (Figure 154). The
bathroom 5164 can
include an exhaust conduit 5616 extending from the exhaust intake fan 5614
along an inner corner
between the ceiling module 5502 and the wall module 5504b to the exhaust
hookup 5532 (Figure
154). Above one end of the tub 5578 (Figure 158), the bath/shower 5170 (Figure
158) can include a
showerhead 5618, a shower cold water knob 5620 operably connected to the cold
water conduit
5588, and a shower hot water knob 5622 operably connected to the hot water
conduit 5590. The
cold water conduit 5588 can include a second branch 5624 extending between the
riser 5592 and the
showerhead 5618. The shower cold water knob 5620 can be disposed along the
second branch 5624
and operable to control a flow of cold water from the cold water conduit 5588
to the showerhead
5618. Similarly, the hot water conduit 5590 can include a second branch 5626
extending between
the riser 5596 and the showerhead 5618. The shower hot water knob 5622 can be
disposed along
the second branch 5626 and operable to control a flow of hot water from the
hot water conduit 5590
to the showerhead 5618. The bathroom 5164 can include upper tab gaskets 5628
disposed between
the respective downwardly extending tabs 5512 and corresponding portions of
the wall modules
5504.
[00439] Figure 161 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 5164
taken along the line
161-161 in Figure 154. With reference to Figures 129 and 154-161 together, the
floor module 5500
can include a skirt 5630 and a series of parallel spaced-apart joists 5632
within the skirt 5630. The
bathroom 5164 can include a blackwater drain conduit 5634 operably connected
to the blackwater
drain hookup 5535 and the toilet drain 5576. Thus, the toilet 5168 can be
operably connected to the
blackwater tank 5194 via the blackwater drain conduit 5634 and the blackwater
drain line 5226.
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The blackwater drain conduit 5634 can include a branch 5635 operably connected
to the first
plumbing ventilation conduit 5604. The bathroom 5164 can further include a
greywater drain
conduit 5636 operably connected to the main greywater drain hookup 5541. The
greywater drain
conduit 5636 can include branches 5638 (individually identified as branches
5638a-5638c) operably
connected to the second plumbing ventilation conduit 5605, the sink drain
5564, and the auxiliary
greywater drain hookup 5542, respectively. The greywater drain conduit 5636
can further include
sub-branches 5639 (individually identified as sub-branches 5639a, 5639b)
operably connected to
the bath/shower drain 5580 and the floor drain 5606, respectively. Thus, the
bath/shower drain
5580 can be operably connected to the greywater filter 5200 via the greywater
drain conduit 5636
and the greywater drain line 5232. The sub-branches 5639c, 5639b of the
greywater drain conduit
5636 can include respective traps 5640. Furthermore, the blackwater drain
conduit 5634 and the
greywater drain conduit 5636 can include respective caps 5642, such as to
facilitate clean-out.
[00440] The bathroom 5164 can include wheels 5643 (e.g., swivel casters)
integrated into the
floor module 5500. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 5643 are embedded
within the feet
5533 and accessible via inwardly facing openings (not shown) of the feet 5533.
The individual
wheels 5643 can be movable between a retracted state and an extended state.
For example, the
bathroom 5164 can include posts 5644 having threads (not shown) that engage
corresponding
threads (not shown) of the wheels 5643 such that the wheels 5643 can be
rotatably moved between
the retracted and extended states. Moving the wheels 5643 from the retracted
state to the extended
state can lift the bathroom 5164 off a corresponding floor surface, thereby
allowing the bathroom
5164 to be conveniently moved along the floor surface.
[00441] The bathroom 5164 can further include a main cold water conduit
5645 and a main hot
water conduit 5646 operably connected to the main cold water supply hookup
5536 and the main
hot water supply hookup 5538, respectively. The main cold water conduit 5645
can include
branches 5648 (individually identified as branches 5648a, 5648b) operably
connected to the sink
5166 and the bath/shower 5170 (via the riser 5592), respectively. The main
cold water conduit
5645 can further include sub-branches 5650 (individually identified as sub-
branches 5650a, 5650b)
operably connected to the auxiliary cold water supply hookup 5544 and the
toilet 5168,
respectively. The main hot water conduit 5646 can include branches 5652
(individually identified
as branches 5652a, 5652b) operably connected to the sink 5166 and the
bath/shower 5170 (via the
riser 5596), respectively. The main hot water conduit 5646 can further include
a sub-branch 5654
operably connected to the auxiliary hot water supply hookup 5546. The bathroom
5164 can still
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further include a main electrical conduit 5656 operably connected to the main
electrical hookup
5540. The main electrical conduit 5656 can include branches 5658 (individually
identified as
branches 5658a, 5658b) operably connected to the auxiliary electrical hookup
5548 and a floor
heating system (introduced below). The main electrical conduit 5656 can
further include a sub-
branch 5659 operably connected to the electrical conduit 5600.
[00442] Figure 162 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom
5164 taken along the
line 162-162 in Figure 154. As shown in Figure 162, the bathroom 5164 can
include a floor heating
system 5660 operably associated with the deck 5554. The floor heating system
5660 can include a
control box 5662 operably connected to the branch 5658b of the main electrical
conduit 5656, and a
heating cable 5664 operably connected to the control box 5662. The heating
cable 5664 can have a
serpentine configuration and be directly connected to an underside of the deck
5554 between the
joists 5632. With reference to Figures 154-162 together, the floor drain 5606,
the blackwater drain
conduit 5634 (e.g., including its branch 5635), the greywater drain conduit
5636 (e.g., including its
branches 5638 and sub-branches 5639), the main cold water conduit 5645 (e.g.,
including its
branches 5648 and sub-branches 5650), the main hot water conduit 5646 (e.g.,
including its
branches 5652 and sub-branch 5654), the main electrical conduit 5656 (e.g.,
including its branches
5658 and sub-branch 5659), the floor heating system 5660, and/or other
suitable components of the
bathroom 5164 can be pre-installed components of the floor module 5500.
Similarly, the supply
plumbing for the bath/shower 5170 (e.g., including the tub faucet 5582, the
cold water conduit
5588, the hot water conduit 5590, and the showerhead 5618), the light fixture
5612, and/or other
suitable components of the bathroom 5164 can be pre-installed components of
the wall module
5504c. These and/or other aspects of the bathroom 5164 can facilitate rapid
deployment, removal,
and redeployment of the bathroom 5164.
[00443] Figure 163 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
5700 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
5138 within the
commercial building 5100 taken along the line I-I in Figure 126 with the
interior space 5138 in the
second state. The real estate unit 5700 can include a dock 5701 that does not
include the blackwater
tank 5194 (Figure 129) and the blackwater drain line 5226 (Figure 129) of the
real estate unit 5162
(Figure 129). Instead of these components, the real estate unit 5700 can
include a blackwater drain
line 5702 extending between (e.g., removably disposed between) the bathroom
5164 and an outdoor
sewage hookup 5704. The blackwater drain line 5702 can extend through the
exterior wall 5104c
from the bathroom 5164 toward the sewage hookup 5704. Furthermore, the
blackwater drain line
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
5702 can extend above-floor and then above-ground from the bathroom 5164
toward the sewage
hookup 5704.
[00444] The sewage hookup 5704 can be a retrofitted access point to a
municipal, septic, or
other permanent sewage system serving the commercial building 5100. In at
least some cases, the
blackwater drain line 5702 connects to the sewage hookup 5704 via a quick-
connect coupling (not
shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 5700 (like the
real estate unit 5162
(Figure 129)) is configured to recycle greywater. In other embodiments, a
counterpart of the real
estate unit 5700 can be configured to dispose of greywater with blackwater via
the sewage hookup
5704. For example, a counterpart of the bathroom 5164 can be alternatively
configured so that a
counterpart of the greywater drain conduit 5636 (Figure 161) is combined with
a counterpart of the
blackwater drain conduit 5634 (Figure 161). In these and other embodiments,
the exterior enclosure
5180 can be configured to receive water from the hose bibb 5160 and/or
configured to receive water
in another manner.
[00445] In another embodiment, a counterpart of the real estate unit 5162
(Figure 129) is
operably associated with components that reduce or eliminate the need for
frequent servicing and/or
connections to permanent utilities serving the commercial building 5100. For
example, the
counterpart of the real estate unit 5162 (Figure 129) can be operably
associated with a high-capacity
sewage detention reservoir (not shown) disposed (e.g., removably disposed)
outside the interior
space 5138, a high-capacity cold water reservoir (not shown) disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed)
outside the interior space 5138, and/or a high-capacity generator (not shown)
disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) outside the interior space 5138. The high-capacity sewage
detention reservoir
can be configured for occasional evacuation into a mobile tanker (e.g., a
septic system pump truck).
Similarly, the high-capacity cold water reservoir can be configured for
occasional replenishment
from a mobile tanker (e.g., a water supply truck). In these embodiments, with
reference to Figure
129, a counterpart of the dock 5188 can be without the blackwater tank 5194,
the water reservoir
5196, the greywater filter 5200, and/or the battery 5204.
[00446] Figure 164 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
5720 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
5138 within the
commercial building 5100 taken along the line I-I in Figure 126 with the
interior space 5138 in the
second state. As shown in Figure 164, the real estate unit 5700 can be without
a dock and can,
instead, be tethered to plumbing and electrical systems of the commercial
building 5100. The first
building bathroom 5110 can include a toilet hookup 5722 that is exposed when
the toilet 5142 of the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
first building bathroom 5110 is removed. Similarly, the first building
bathroom 5110 can include
sink hookups (e.g., hot and cold; not shown) that are exposed when the sink
5144 of the first
building bathroom 5110 is disconnected. The toilet hookup 5722 and the sink
hookups can be
operably connected to the plumbing drain trunk line 5146 and the water supply
trunk line 5148,
respectively. The real estate unit 5720 can include a bathroom 5723 operably
connected to the
plumbing drain trunk line 5146 and the water supply trunk line 5148 via the
toilet hookup 5722 and
the sink hookups, respectively. The second building bathroom 5112 can remain
in service for a
separate ongoing occupancy of the interior space 5140. The bathroom 5723 can
be similar to the
bathroom 5164 of the real estate unit 5162, but with different plumbing,
electrical, ventilation, and
exhaust configurations. The real estate unit 5162 can include a heat pump
5726, an exhaust filter
5728, and refrigerant lines (not shown) similar to the heat pump 5190, the
exhaust filter 5192, and
the refrigerant lines 5220 of the real estate unit 5162.
[00447] The
real estate unit 5720 can further include a plumbing drain line 5730 through
which
the bathroom 5724 is operably connected to the plumbing drain trunk line 5146.
The plumbing
drain line 5730 can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed) between the
bathroom 5724 and the
toilet hookup 5722. For example, the plumbing drain line 5730 can extend above-
floor at least two
meters within the commercial building 5100 from the bathroom 5724 toward the
toilet hookup
5722. Similarly, the real estate unit 5720 can include water supply lines 5732
(e.g., hot and cold)
through which the bathroom 5724 is operably connected to the water supply
trunk line 5148. The
water supply lines 5732 can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed) between the
bathroom 5724 and
the sink hookups. For example, the water supply lines 5732 can extend above-
floor at least two
meters within the commercial building 5100 from the bathroom 5724 toward the
sink hookups.
Also similarly, the real estate unit 5720 can include an electrical line 5734
through which the
bathroom 5724 and outlets (not shown) within the real estate unit 5720 are
operably connected to
the electrical panel 5154. The electrical line 5734 can be disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed)
between the bathroom 5724 and the electrical panel 5154. The interior doors
5116 can be propped
open (as shown) or removed to allow passage of the plumbing drain line 5730,
the water supply
lines 5732, and the electrical line 5734 between the bathroom 5724 and the
toilet hookup 5722, the
sink hookups, and the electrical panel 5154, respectively. The real estate
unit 5720 can further
include a bridge 5736 disposed over a bundle of the plumbing drain line 5730,
the water supply
lines 5732, and the electrical line 5734. The bridge 5736 can be reusable and
removably disposed
within the commercial building 5100. The bridge 5736 can be useful, for
example, to facilitate
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
pedestrian traversal over the bundle when the back door 5132 is to remain in
service for a separate
ongoing occupancy at the interior space 5140.
[00448] The real estate unit 5720 can further include a sewage detention
tank 5738 along the
plumbing drain line 5730. Similarly, the real estate unit 5720 can include a
water supply tank (not
shown) and a supplemental water heater (not shown) along the water supply
lines 5732. The
sewage detention tank 5738, the water supply tank, and the supplemental water
heater can be
reusable and disposed (e.g., removably disposed) within the commercial
building 5100. These
components can attenuate spikes in water demand and/or sewage flow from the
real estate unit
5720. In the illustrated embodiment, there is only one real estate unit 5720
within the commercial
building 5100. In other embodiments, there can be multiple counterparts of the
real estate unit 5720
within a counterpart of the commercial building 5100. In these other
embodiments, a plumbing
fixture load of a counterpart of the first building bathroom 5110 may still be
sufficient to service the
multiple counterparts of the real estate unit 5720 due, for example, to
increased capacity provided
by counterparts of the sewage detention tank 5738, the water supply tank, and
the supplemental
water heater. In addition or alternatively, when there are two counterparts of
the real estate unit
5720 within a counterpart of the commercial building 5100, the two
counterparts of the real estate
unit 5720 can be separately tethered to the first and second building
bathrooms 5110, 5112,
respectively.
[00449] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 129 and 164, the real
estate units 5162, 5720
are configured at least primarily as lodging and/or residential units. In
other embodiments, a
counterpart of the real estate units 5162, 5720 can have another primary use.
For example, the
counterpart of the real estate units 5162, 5720 can be a rentable office unit,
a rentable assembly unit,
and/or a rentable unit of another type. Figure 165 is a cross-sectional top
plan view of a real estate
unit 5750 in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology
including the interior
space 5138 within the commercial building 5100 taken along the line I-I in
Figure 126 with the
interior space 5138 in the second state. The real estate unit 5750 can be
configured at least
primarily as a rentable office unit. The real estate unit 5750 can include
office furnishings, such as
a workstation 5752 removably disposed within the interior space 5138. Because
privacy tends to be
less important for office uses than for lodging and residential uses and/or
for other reasons, the real
estate unit 5750 can be without the exterior enclosure 5180 (Figure 129).
Alternatively, a
counterpart of the real estate unit 5750 can include the exterior enclosure
5180 (Figure 129) or a
comparable structure.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00450] Figure 166 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
5760 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
5138 within the
commercial building 5100 taken along the line I-I in Figure 126 with the
interior space 5138 in the
second state. The real estate unit 5760 can be configured at least primarily
as a rentable assembly
unit. For example, the real estate unit 5760 can be configured to accommodate
parties, classes, etc.
Like the real estate unit 5750 (Figure 165), the real estate unit 5760 can be
without the exterior
enclosure 5180 (Figure 129). Alternatively, a counterpart of the real estate
unit 5760 can include
the exterior enclosure 5180 (Figure 129) or a comparable structure. The real
estate unit 5760 can
include a dock 5762 that does not include the trash bin 5206 (Figure 129), the
recycling bin 5208
(Figure 129), and the laundry bin 5210 (Figure 129) of the real estate unit
5162 (Figure 129), but is
otherwise the same as or similar to the dock 5188 (Figure 129). Figure 167 is
a cross-sectional top
plan view of a real estate unit 5770 in accordance with another embodiment of
the present
technology including the interior space 5138 within the commercial building
5100 taken along the
line I-I in Figure 126 with the interior space 5138 in the second state. The
real estate unit 5770 can
be configured at least primarily as a combined lodging and rentable office
unit. For example, the
real estate unit 5770 can include partitions 5772 that close off the bed 5276
during work hours.
[00451] In some cases, multiple real estate units in accordance with
embodiments of the
present technology are operably associated with one another in a real estate
complex and/or a real
estate network. In other cases, the real estate units can be stand-alone.
Figures 168-173 illustrate
two examples of real estate complexes in accordance with embodiments of the
present technology.
Figure 168 is a front profile view of a block 5800 of an urban area. Figure
169 is a cross-sectional
top plan view of commercial buildings 5802 (individually identified as
commercial buildings
5802a-5802i) at the block 5800 taken along the line J-J in Figure 168. The
commercial buildings
5802 can include interior spaces 5804 (individually identified as interior
spaces 5804a-5804m). In
Figure 169, the interior spaces 5804 are shown in the first state. The block
5800 can include a
sidewalk 5806 encircling the commercial buildings 5802, and the block 5800 can
further include an
alley 5808. The commercial buildings 5802a-5802i can include respective
storefronts 5810
(individually identified as storefronts 5810a-5810i) facing the sidewalk 5806,
and respective back
walls 5812 (individually identified as back walls 5812a-5812i) facing the
alley 5808. In the
illustrated embodiment, the alley 5808 is a through alley. In other
embodiments, a counterpart of
the alley 5808 can be a blind alley. With reference again to Figure 169, the
commercial buildings
5802 can be in two groups at opposite respective sides of the alley 5808.
Within the alley 5808, the
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block 5800 can include dumpsters 5814 individually serving one or more of the
commercial
buildings 5802a-5802i. The commercial buildings 5802 can include back doors
5816 and openings
5818 similar to the back door 5132 and opening 5134 described above.
[00452] Figure 170 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the commercial
buildings 5802 taken
along the line J-J in Figure 168 and showing a real estate complex 5820 in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology. The real estate complex 5820 can include
real estate units
5822 (individually identified as real estate units 5822a-5822m) including the
interior spaces 5804a-
5804m, respectively, in the second state. The real estate units 5822 can
having some or all of the
features of the real estate units 5162, 5490, 5700, 5720, 5750, 5760, 5770
described above. For
example, the real estate units 5822a-5822m can respectively include reusable
bathrooms (not
shown) similar to the bathrooms 5164, 5724 described above. These reusable
bathrooms can be
tethered to corresponding building bathrooms (not shown) similar to the first
and second building
bathrooms 5110, 5112 described above. Alternatively or in addition, the real
estate units 5822a-
5822m can include docks (not shown) similar to the docks 5188, 5701, 5762
described above. For
clarity of illustration, most details of the real estate units 5822 are not
shown in Figure 170. The
features of the real estate units 5822a-5822m can differ. For example, in the
illustrated
embodiment, the real estate units 58221, 5822m include courtyards 5824,
whereas the real estate
units 5822a-5822k do not. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the
commercial buildings
5802d-5802h respectively include multiple real estate units 5822, the
commercial buildings 5802a,
5802b respectively include single real estate units 5822, and the commercial
buildings 5802c, 5802i
include no real estate units 5822. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the
real estate complex
5820 can have other distributions of counterparts of the real estate units
5822.
[00453] As shown in Figure 170, the back walls 5812 can be retrofitted to
accommodate
additional real estate units 5822. For example, the real estate units 5822f,
5822g, 5822h, 5822j can
be at respective existing openings 5818, and the real estate units 5822a-
5822e, 5822i, 5822k-5822m
can be at respective new (e.g., cut) openings 5826. Other modifications of the
back walls 5812 can
be made to serve continuing operations within the commercial buildings 5802
other than operations
associated with the real estate units 5822. For example, the back wall 5812g
can be retrofitted to
include a new back door 5827. The alley 5808 can be closed off to automobile
traffic to form a
common area for the real estate complex 5820. The real estate complex 5820 can
include gates
5828 (individually identified as gates 5828a, 5828b) at opposite respective
ends of the alley 5808.
The dumpsters 5814 can be relocated to portion of the alley 5808 outside the
gate 5828a. In some
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embodiments, the alley 5808 is at least substantially reversibly closed off.
For example, the alley
5808 can be closed off during certain hours (e.g., by closing the gates 5828)
and reopened during
other hours (e.g., by opening the gates 5828). In a particular embodiment, the
real estate complex
5820 is at least primarily used as a hotel, the alley 5808 is at least
substantially reversibly closed off
at night, and the alley 5808 is reopened during the day. In other embodiments,
the alley 5808 can
be at least substantially reversibly closed off until the real estate complex
5820 is decommissioned,
permanently closed off, not closed off, or managed in another manner.
[00454] Figure 171 is a front profile view of a mini-storage complex 5850.
Figure 172 is a
cross-sectional top plan view of mini-storage buildings 5852 (individually
identified as mini-storage
buildings 5852a-5852c) within the mini-storage complex 5850 taken along the
line K-K in Figure
171. The mini-storage buildings 5852 can include interior spaces 5854. In
Figure 172, the interior
spaces 5854 are shown in the first state. In the illustrated embodiment, each
of the interior spaces
5854 includes three mini-storage units 5855. In other embodiments, the
interior spaces 5854 can
have other sizes. With reference again to Figure 171, the mini-storage
buildings 5852 can further
include openings 5856 similar to the opening 5134 described above, a load-
bearing central wall
5858, and rows of non-load-bearing dividing walls 5860 perpendicular to the
central wall 5858.
The individual openings 5856 can serve the individual mini-storage units 5855,
respectively. The
mini-storage units 5855 of a given one of the mini-storage buildings 5852 can
be divided by the
dividing walls 5860 and arranged in rows on opposite sides of the central wall
5858 of the given
one of the mini-storage buildings 5852. Between the mini-storage buildings
5852, the mini-storage
complex 5850 can include alleys 5862 (individually identified as alleys 5862a,
5862b). The alleys
5862 and the openings 5856 can be configured for convenient loading and
unloading of the mini-
storage units 5855, For example, the mini-storage units 5855 can be drive-up
mini-storage units.
[00455] Figure 173 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the mini-storage
buildings 5852 taken
along the line K-K in Figure 171 and showing a real estate complex 5864 in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology. The real estate complex 5864 can include
real estate units
5866 including the interior spaces 5854, respectively, in the second state.
The real estate units 5866
can have some or all of the features of the real estate units 5162, 5490,
5700, 5720, 5750, 5760,
5770 described above. For example, the real estate units 5866 can respectively
include courtyards
5868 similar to the courtyard 5178 described above. As another example, the
real estate units 5866
can respectively include compartmentalizing assemblies 5870 similar to the
compartmentalizing
assembly 5185 described above. As another example, the real estate units 5866
can respectively
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include docks 5872 similar to the docks 5188, 5701, 5762 described above. As
yet another
example, the real estate units 5866 can respectively include reusable
bathrooms (not shown) similar
to the bathrooms 5164, 5724 described above. For clarity of illustration, most
details of the real
estate units 5866 are not shown in Figure 173.
[00456] Figure 174 is a block diagram illustrating a method 5900 for making
a given real estate
unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. For
simplicity, aspects of the
method 5900 will be further described primarily in the context of certain ones
of the real estate units
5162, 5490, 5700, 5720, 5750, 5760, 5770, 5822, 5866 described herein. It
should be understood,
however, that the method 5900, when suitable, and/or portions of the method
5900, when suitable,
can be practiced with respect to other ones of the real estate units 5162,
5490, 5700, 5720, 5750,
5760, 5770, 5822, 5866 described herein as well as with respect to other real
estate units in
accordance with embodiments of the present technology. Similarly, although the
method 5900 may
be described primarily in the context of certain ones of the commercial
buildings 5100, 5802 and
the mini-storage buildings 5852, it should be understood that the method 5900,
when suitable,
and/or portions of the method 5900, when suitable, can be practiced with
respect to other ones of
the commercial buildings 5100, 5802 and the mini-storage buildings 5852 as
well as with respect to
other compatible buildings.
[00457] With reference to Figures 129-174 together, the method 5900 can
include leasing the
interior space 5138 (block 5902) or establishing control of the interior space
5138 in another
manner. For example, the interior space 5138 can be leased from an owner of
the commercial
building 5100 for provision of lodging, residential space, office space,
assembly space, and/or
another type of space to third parties. In some cases, the interior space 5138
is leased or purchased
separately from the interior space 5140. For example, the interior space 5138
may be underutilized
by an ongoing operation at the interior space 5140 such the ongoing operation
is not adversely
affected to a significant degree by losing control over the interior space
5138. In other cases, the
interior spaces 5138, 5140 can be leased or purchased together. After control
of the interior space
5138 is established, the method 5900 can include retrofitting the interior
space 5138 to
accommodate an alternative use (e.g., a lodging use, a residential use, an
office use, and/or an
assembly use). The commercial building 5100 can be one that was originally
constructed at least 20
years before this retrofitting occurs.
[00458] In at least some embodiments, the method 5900 includes at least
substantially
reversibly retrofitting the interior space 5138 to accommodate the alternative
use. In these and
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
other embodiments, it may be economically feasible to lease and retrofit the
interior space 5138
with little or no long-term commitment from an owner of the commercial
building 5100. This can
be due to the reusability of a significant amount of the capital associated
with retrofitting the
interior space 5138 and/or for other reasons. Accordingly, in some
embodiments, the interior space
5138 is leased month-to-month. In other embodiments, the interior space 5138
can be leased under
terms that allow the owner of the commercial building 5100 to terminate the
lease with notice of
less than one month. In still other embodiments, the interior space 5138 can
be controlled by an
operator of the real estate unit 5162 under other lease arrangements, under
non-lease contractual
arrangements (e.g., franchising), or under fee simple ownership. After direct
or indirect control
over the interior space 5138 is established, the method 5900 can include
subleasing (or leasing if the
commercial building 5100 is owned in fee simple) the interior space 5138 to a
renter. When the
interior space 5138 is leased separately from other portions of the commercial
building 5100, an
owner of the commercial building 5100 can occupy or otherwise use the other
portions of the
commercial building 5100 while the interior space 5138 is leased to third
parties. When the interior
space 5138 is leased together with other portions of the commercial building
5100, an operator of
the real estate unit 5162 can separately lease the interior space 5138 as the
real estate unit 5162 and
some or all of the other portions of the commercial building 5100 as another
real estate unit.
[00459] The method 5900 can further include transporting modules (e.g., the
bathroom 5164,
the barrier 5172, the exterior wall components 5182, the interior wall
components 5187, and/or the
dock 5188) to the commercial building 5100 (block 5904). Some or all of the
modules can be
transported in a compact state. For example, the bathroom 5164 can be
transported in its
disassembled state. As another example, the barrier 5172 can be transported in
its folded state. As
yet another example, the exterior wall components 5182 and/or the interior
wall components 5187
can be transported in their disassembled states. Furthermore, the shells 5408
and/or the shells 5470
can be transported in their collapsed states. The method 5900 can further
include receiving the
modules at the commercial building 5100 (block 5906). For example, the
bathroom 5164, the
barrier 5172, the exterior wall components 5182, the interior wall components
5187, the dock 5188,
and/or other suitable components of the real estate unit 5162 can be received
at the commercial
building 5100 in an at least substantially pre-manufactured state.
[00460] After the bathroom 5164 is received at the commercial building
5100, the method 5900
can include installing the bathroom 5164 (block 5908), such as by disposing
(e.g., removably
disposing) the bathroom 5164 within the commercial building 5100. In at least
some embodiments,
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
installing the bathroom 5164 includes assembling (e.g., at least substantially
reversibly assembling)
a set of reusable bathroom modules (e.g., the floor module 5500, the ceiling
module 5502, and the
wall modules 5504) to form an assembly of reusable bathroom modules. For
example, the method
5900 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the floor module 5500
at a suitable location
within the interior space 5138, and connecting (e.g., removably connecting)
the wall modules 5504
to the floor module 5500 at a perimeter portion of the floor module 5500. The
bathroom 5164 can
be disposed within the interior space 5138 such that the floor level of the
bathroom 5164 is at least
0.5 meter higher than the underlying floor level of the interior space 5138.
The method 5900 can
further include installing (e.g., removably installing) furnishings within the
interior space 5138
(block 5910). For example, when the commercial building 5100 is retrofitted
for lodging and/or
residential use at the interior space 5138, the method 5900 can include
disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) lodging and/or residential furnishings within the interior space
5138. As another
example, when the commercial building 5100 is retrofitted for office use at
the interior space 5138,
the method 5900 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) office
furnishings within the
interior space 5138.
[00461]
The method 5900 can also include installing the barrier 5172 (block 5912). For
example, the method 5900 can include disposing (e.g., removably and
stationarily disposing) the
barrier 5172 between the interior space 5138 and the second outdoor area 5126.
The barrier 5172
can be installed such that a path permitting a renter of the real estate unit
5162 to move between the
interior space 5138 and the second outdoor area 5126 extends through the
opening 5134 and
through the barrier 5172. Installing the barrier 5172 can include installing
the barrier 5172 in an
unfolded state. In addition or alternatively, installing the barrier 5172 can
include at least
substantially reversibly assembling a set of barrier modules to form an
assembly of barrier modules.
In at least some embodiments, installing the barrier 5172 includes fastening
(e.g., removably
fastening) the barrier 5172 to the exterior wall 5104c. For example, the
barrier 5172 can be bolted,
screwed, and/or clamped to the exterior wall 5104c. Installing the barrier
5172 can further include
forming the first mass of self-leveling material 5300, such as integrally
along most or all of an
overall footprint of the barrier 5172. The barrier 5172 can then be installed
over the first mass of
self-leveling material 5300. Installing the barrier 5172 can include inserting
the barrier 5172 into
the opening 5134. Alternatively or in addition, installing the barrier 5172
can include overlaying
the barrier 5172 over the opening 5134. For example, installing the barrier
5172 can include
compressing the gasket 5318 between the frame 5310 and the exterior wall
5104c. In conjunction
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
with installing the barrier 5172 or separately, the method 5900 can include
stowing the overhead
door 5136 within the interior space 5138 in its open state (block 5914). In at
least some cases, this
includes disabling (e.g., reversibly disabling) a control for the overhead
door 5136.
[00462] As shown in Figure 174, the method 5900 can include installing the
dock 5188 (block
5916). For example, the method 5900 can include disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) the dock
5188 outside the interior space 5138. In conjunction with installing the dock
5188 or separately, the
method 5900 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the water
reservoir 5196, the battery
5204, the blackwater tank 5194, and/or other suitable modules outside the
interior space 5138.
These modules can be connected (e.g., removably connected) to the dock 5188
and/or to other
suitable components of the real estate unit 5162. For example, the method 5900
can include
electrically connecting the battery 5204 and the electrical outlet 5222. This
can include operating
the electrical quick-connect coupling 5254. As another example, the method
5900 can include
connecting (e.g., removably connecting) the water reservoir 5196 and the hose
bibb 5160. In at
least some embodiments, the commercial building 5100 is retrofitted for off-
grid operation with
respect to an electrical supply to the interior space 5138 and/or retrofitted
for off-grid operation with
respect to disposal of blackwater from the toilet 5168.
[00463] The method 5900 can further include tethering the bathroom 5164 to
the dock 5188,
the sewage hookup 5704, the plumbing drain trunk line 5146, and/or the water
supply trunk line
5148 (block 5918). For example, the method 5900 can include operably
connecting the bathroom
5164 (e.g., the sink 5166, the toilet 5168, and the bath/shower 5170) and the
water reservoir 5196
via the cold water supply line 5228. Alternatively or in addition, the method
5900 can include
operably connecting the bathroom 5724 (e.g., the sink 5166, the toilet 5168,
and the bath/shower
5170) and the water supply trunk line 5148 via the water supply lines 5732
(e.g., also via the sink
hookup). As another example, the method 5900 can include operably connecting
the bathroom
5164 (e.g., the toilet 5168) and the blackwater tank 5194 via the blackwater
drain line 5226.
Alternatively or in addition, the method 5900 can include operably connecting
the bathroom 5724
(e.g., the sink 5166, the toilet 5168, and the bath/shower 5170) and the
plumbing drain trunk line
5146 via the plumbing drain line 5730 (e.g., also via the toilet hookup 5722).
Furthermore, the
method 5900 can include operably connecting the bathroom 5164 (e.g., the
toilet 5168) and the
sewage hookup 5704 via the blackwater drain line 5702. As yet another example,
the method 5900
can include operably connecting the bathroom 5164 (e.g., the bath/shower drain
5580) and the
greywater filter 5200 via the greywater drain line 5232.
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[00464] Operably connecting the bathroom 5164 and the blackwater tank 5194
can include
operating the blackwater drain quick-connect coupling 5252 to fluidically
connect the bathroom
5164 and the blackwater tank 5194. In addition or alternatively, operably
connecting the bathroom
5164 and the blackwater tank 5194 can include disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) the
blackwater drain line 5226 between the bathroom 5164 and the blackwater tank
5194. This can
include extending the blackwater drain line 5226 above-floor between the
bathroom 5164 and the
blackwater tank 5194, such as disposing a first portion of the blackwater
drain line 5226 above-
floor within the commercial building 5100 and disposing a second portion of
the blackwater drain
line 5226 above-ground outside the commercial building 5100. Similarly,
operably connecting the
bathroom 5724 and the plumbing drain trunk line 5146 can include disposing
(e.g., removably
disposing) the plumbing drain line 5730 between the bathroom 5724 and the
toilet hookup 5722.
This can include extending the plumbing drain line 5730 above-floor within the
commercial
building 5100 between the bathroom 5724 and the toilet hookup 5722, such as
extending the
plumbing drain line 5730 above-floor at least two meters within the commercial
building 5100
between the bathroom 5724 and the toilet hookup 5722. Also similarly, operably
connecting the
bathroom 5164 and the sewage hookup 5704 can include disposing (e.g.,
removably disposing) the
blackwater drain line 5702 between the bathroom 5164 and the sewage hookup
5704. This can
include extending the blackwater drain line 5702 above-floor between the
bathroom 5164 and the
sewage hookup 5704, such as disposing a first portion of the blackwater drain
line 5702 above-floor
within the commercial building 5100 and disposing a second portion of the
blackwater drain line
5702 above-ground outside the commercial building 5100.
[00465] The method 5900 can further include installing the exterior
enclosure 5180 (block
5920) outside the commercial building 5100. In at least some cases, this is
part of retrofitting the
second outdoor area 5126 from being a driveway and/or parking area to being
the courtyard 5178.
Installing the exterior enclosure 5180 can include forming the second mass of
self-leveling material
5302, such as integrally along most or all of an overall footprint of the
exterior enclosure 5180.
After the second mass of self-leveling material 5302 is formed, installing the
exterior enclosure
5180 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the exterior wall
components 5182 over the
second mass of self-leveling material 5302. The exterior wall components 5182
can be disposed at
a perimeter portion of the courtyard 5178. Disposing the exterior wall
components 5182 can
include stacking and/or interlocking the exterior wall components 5182. This
can be done, for
example, while the shells 5408 are in an expanded state. Installing the
exterior enclosure 5180 can
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further include differentially planting the apertures 5402 to form the brand
identifier 5404. This can
be done using a template after all or most of the exterior wall components
5182 of the exterior
enclosure 5180 have been installed. In at least some embodiments, the method
5900 includes
assembling the exterior wall components 5182, such as by removably disposing
the packages 5410
within the shells 5408 while the shells 5408 are in their expanded state.
[00466] As shown in Figure 174, the method 5900 can include installing the
compartmentalizing assembly 5185 within the commercial building 5100 (block
5922). Installing
the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 can include disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) the liner
5456 within the commercial building 5100, such as over the finished floor
surface 5450. Disposing
the liner 5456 can include adhesively disposing the liner 5456 or disposing
the liner 5456 in another
manner. Installing the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 can further include
forming the third
mass of self-leveling material 5458 over the liner 5456, such as integrally
along most or all of an
overall footprint of the compartmentalizing assembly 5185. After the third
mass of self-leveling
material 5458 is formed, installing the compartmentalizing assembly 5185 can
include disposing
(e.g., removably disposing) the interior wall components 5187 over the third
mass of self-leveling
material 5458. Disposing the interior wall components 5187 can include
stacking and/or
interlocking the interior wall components 5187. This can be done, for example,
while the shells
5470 are in an expanded state. Installing the compartmentalizing assembly 5185
can further include
assembling the interior wall components 5187, such as by removably disposing
the batting 5460
within the shells 5470 while the shells 5470 are in the expanded state. In at
least some
embodiments, the method 5900 further includes disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) the ceiling
panels 5492, the ceiling beams 5493, and/or other suitable ceiling components
within the
commercial building 5100. For example, the ceiling panels 5492 and the ceiling
beams 5493 can be
disposed such that the ceiling beams 5493 support the ceiling panels 5492.
[00467] Figure 175 is a block diagram illustrating a method 5950 for
operating a given real
estate unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. As
with the method 5900,
aspects of the method 5950 will be further described primarily in the context
of certain ones of the
real estate units 5162, 5490, 5700, 5720, 5750, 5760, 5770, 5822, 5866
described herein. It should
be understood, however, that the method 5950, when suitable, and/or portions
of the method 5950,
when suitable, can be practiced with respect to other ones of the real estate
units 5162, 5490, 5700,
5720, 5750, 5760, 5770, 5822, 5866 described herein as well as with respect to
other real estate
units in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. Similarly,
although the method
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5950 may be described primarily in the context of certain ones of the
commercial buildings 5100,
5802 and the mini-storage buildings 5852, it should be understood that the
method 5950, when
suitable, and/or portions of the method 5950, when suitable, can be practiced
with respect to other
ones of the commercial buildings 5100, 5802 and the mini-storage buildings
5852 as well as with
respect to other compatible buildings.
[00468] With reference to Figures 129-175 together, the method 5950 can be
practiced in
connection with providing lodging, rentable residential space, rentable office
space, rentable
assembly space, and/or another type of space at the interior space 5138. The
method 5950 can
include leasing the interior space 5138 (block 5952) or maintaining control of
the interior space
5138 in another manner, such as one of the manners described above in
connection with
establishing control of the interior space 5138 in the method 5900. The method
5950 can further
include providing renter access to the interior space 5138 (block 5954), such
as through the opening
5134 and through the barrier 5172. In this way, the method 5950 can include
providing renter
access to furnishings at the interior space 5138 corresponding to the use
type. For example, the
method 5950 can include providing renter access to lodging and/or residential
furnishings (e.g., the
bed 5276) within the interior space 5138 when the real estate unit 5162 is
operated as a lodging
and/or residential unit. As another example, the method 5950 can include
providing renter access to
office furnishings (e.g., the workstation 5752) within the interior space 5138
when the real estate
unit 5162 is operated as an office unit. Providing renter access to the
interior space 5138 can occur
by leasing the interior space 5138 to the renter, subleasing the interior
space 5138 to the renter,
providing renter access to the interior space 5138 through a membership
agreement, providing
renter access to the interior space 5138 through a short-term use arrangement
(e.g., a lodging
arrangement), and/or providing renter access to the interior space 5138 in
another manner.
Similarly, the method 5950 can include providing renter access to the bathroom
5164 (block 5956)
and providing renter access to the courtyard 5178 (block 5958).
[00469] The method 5950 can further include flowing sewage from the
bathroom 5164 (block
5960), such as toward the blackwater tank 5194, toward the sewage hookup 5704,
and/or toward the
plumbing drain trunk line 5146. For example, the method 5950 can include
flowing backwater
above-floor and then above-ground from the toilet 5168 toward the blackwater
tank 5194 via the
blackwater drain line 5226. As another example, the method 5950 can include
flowing sewage
(e.g., blackwater) above-floor and then above-ground from the bathroom 5164
toward the sewage
hookup 5704 via the blackwater drain line 5702 or a combined
blackwater/greywater drain line. As
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
another example, the method 5950 can include flowing sewage (e.g., blackwater)
above-floor at
least two meters within the commercial building 5100 from the bathroom 5724
toward the plumbing
drain trunk line 5146 via the plumbing drain line 5730 and via the toilet
hookup 5722. As yet
another example, the method 5950 can include flowing greywater from the
bath/shower drain 5580
toward the greywater filter 5200 via the greywater drain line 5232. Using the
greywater or in
another manner, the method 5950 can include growing the vegetation 5184 in the
exterior wall
components 5182, such as in the planning medium 5306.
[00470] The method 5950 can also include swapping the blackwater tank 5194
with a less full
counterpart of the blackwater tank 5194 to remove sewage from the real estate
unit 5162 (block
5962). This can include operating the blackwater drain quick-connect coupling
5252 to disconnect
the blackwater tank 5194 from fluidic connection with the bathroom 5164 and
removing the
blackwater tank 5194 from the dock 5188. Swapping the blackwater tank 5194 can
be at least
partially in response to receiving an indication of a fullness of the
blackwater tank 5194 from the
sensor 5212a. The method 5950 can include weighing the blackwater tank 5194
and/or determining
a level of sewage within the blackwater tank 5194 to determine the fullness.
In addition to or
instead of swapping the blackwater tank 5194, the method 5950 can include
operating a mobile
pump to at least partially pump out the blackwater tank 5194 and thereby
remove sewage from the
real estate unit 5162. In at least some embodiments, the method 5950 includes
operating the real
estate unit 5162 at least substantially off-grid with respect to disposal of
blackwater from the toilet
5168.
[00471] The method 5950 can further include flowing water toward the
bathroom 5164 (block
5964). For example, the method 5950 can include flowing water from the water
reservoir 5196
toward the bathroom 5164 via the cold water supply line 5228. Furthermore, the
method 5950 can
include flowing water from the hose bibb 5160 toward the water reservoir 5196
to at least partially
replenish a water supply to the real estate unit 5162. In addition or
alternatively, the method 5950
can include flowing water from the water supply trunk line 5148 toward the
bathroom 5724, such as
via the water supply lines 5732 and via the sink hookup. The method 5950 can
also include
operating the heating system 5497 to heat the airspace 5496 and thereby
provide below-room-
temperature baseline heating to the interior space 5138 via the ceiling 5495.
The method 5950 can
further include operating the supplemental heater 5498 to provide supplemental
heating to the
interior space 5138.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00472] The method 5950 can include providing electricity to the interior
space 5138 (block
5966). For example, the method 5950 can include using the battery 5204 to
power an appliance
within the interior space 5138 via the electrical outlet 5222. The method 5950
can further include
swapping the battery 5204 with a less depleted counterpart of the battery 5204
to at least partially
replenish an electrical supply to the real estate unit 5162 (block 5968). This
can include operating
the electrical quick-connect coupling 5254 to disconnect the battery 5204 from
electrical connection
with the electrical outlet 5222 and removing the battery 5204 from the dock
5188. Swapping the
battery 5204 can be at least partially in response to receiving an indication
of a depleted state of the
battery 5204 from the sensor 5212c. In addition to or instead of swapping the
battery 5204, the
method 5950 can include operating a mobile recharging station to at least
partially recharge the
battery 5204 and thereby at least partially replenish an electrical supply to
the real estate unit 5162.
In at least some embodiments, the method 5950 includes operating the real
estate unit 5162 at least
substantially off-grid with respect to an overall electrical supply to the
interior space 5138.
Furthermore, the method 5950 can include decommissioning the real estate unit
5162 after a period
of operating the real estate unit 5162. Decommissioning the real estate unit
5162 can include
suitable operations of the method 5900 in reverse. For example,
decommissioning the real estate
unit 5162 can include disassembling the exterior enclosure 5180, disassembling
the exterior wall
components 5182, composting the packages 5410, and collapsing the shells 5408.
[00473] As a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize,
numerous permutations of
the features disclosed herein are within the scope of the present technology.
For example, the real
estate unit 5750 can include the dock 5762. As yet another example, the
exterior enclosure 5180
can be added to the real estate unit 5760. Furthermore, although features of
the present technology
are described herein primarily in the context of loading, storage, parking,
and vehicle-servicing
spaces, it should be understood that the same or similar features can be
implemented in other
suitable contexts. For example, when suitable, features of the retrofitted
loading, storage, parking,
and vehicle-servicing spaces disclosed herein can be implemented at a
storefront space (e.g., the
interior space 5140). In a particular example, features of the real estate
unit 5162 can be
implemented at the interior space 5140 with the storefront 5124 taking the
place of the barrier 5172.
[00474] In a another embodiment of the present technology, a real estate
unit includes an
interior space within a commercial building, a reusable bathroom removably
disposed within the
commercial building, and reusable wall components also removably disposed
within the
commercial building. The bathroom, the wall components, and/or other suitable
components of the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
real estate unit can be configured for low-cost deployment, removal, and
redeployment. Use of
these components can allow revenue from operating the real estate unit to
exceed costs associated
within transitioning the space within the commercial building from its purpose-
built use (e.g., retail,
office, and/or restaurant use) to an alternative use (e.g., lodging,
residential, office, and/or assembly
use) even if the real estate unit is only operated for a short period of time
(e.g., one year or less).
Thus, an operator of a network of real estate units may lease a space within a
commercial building
short-term (e.g., monthly) from an owner of the commercial building and
retrofit the space for
provision of rentable space to third parties with little or no risk of
incurring significant economic
loss. Even if the owner terminates the lease or if demand for the newly
created real estate unit is
lower than expected, most of the capital associated with retrofitting the
space can be recoverable.
Furthermore, capital embodied in the components can be readily relocatable in
response to long-
term and short-term (e.g., seasonal) changes in demand.
[00475] Among various types of real estate, commercial buildings having
storefront spaces are
particularly well suited to be retrofitted to accommodate alternative uses.
For example, these types
of spaces tend to be unfurnished or sparsely furnished in their purpose-built
uses, which can
facilitate retrofitting. As another example, these types of spaces typically
have windows that
provide abundant nature light and doors that provide direct access to outdoor
areas. These features
can facilitate convenient guest access and compliance with code requirements
for egress. As yet
another example, storefront spaces are often unused for periods of months or
even years between
tenancies. Unlike residential apartments, storefront space are typically
leased for many years at a
time. Leasing a storefront space is often a major commitment for both a tenant
and a landlord,
which leads to long periods of vacancy between tenancies while both sites
search for the right
match. During these periods of vacancy, the value of commercial spaces is
typically wasted.
Commercial buildings compatible with embodiments of the present technology can
have other
desirable attributes in addition to or instead of the forgoing attributes.
Furthermore, embodiments
of the present technology can be implemented in suitable other types of real
estate. For example, in
a warehouse or other type of commercial building having a ground-floor
exterior wall that does not
serve as a storefront (i.e., that does not facilitate interaction with the
public), an interior space
adjacent to the exterior wall can be substituted for one of the storefront
spaces described herein.
[00476] Figure 176 is a back profile view of a commercial building 6100
disposed between
neighboring commercial buildings 6101 (individually identified as neighboring
commercial
buildings 6101a and 6101b). Figure 177 is a cross-sectional top plan view of
the commercial
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building 6100 taken along the line L-L in Figure 176. With reference to
Figures 176 and 177
together, the commercial building 6100 can include a permanent roof 6102,
permanent exterior
walls 6104 (individually identified as exterior walls 6104a-6104d), and
permanent interior walls
6106. The exterior walls 6104 can define an interior region 6108 of the
commercial building 6100.
Within the interior region 6108, the commercial building 6100 can include a
first building bathroom
6110 (e.g., a men's bathroom), a second building bathroom 6112 (e.g., a
women's bathroom), and a
utility room 6114. The commercial building 6100 can further include interior
doors 6116
(individually identified as interior doors 6116a-6116c) opening into the first
building bathroom
6110, the second building bathroom 6112, and the utility room 6114,
respectively.
[00477] The exterior wall 6104a can be between the interior region 6108 and
a first outdoor
area 6118 that includes a sidewalk 6120 and a street 6122. At the exterior
wall 6104a, the
commercial building 6100 can include a storefront 6124 between the interior
region 6108 and the
first outdoor area 6118. The exterior wall 6104c can be between the interior
region 6108 and a
second outdoor area 6126 that includes a yard 6128 and an alley 6130. At the
exterior wall 6104c,
the commercial building 6100 can include a back door 6132 between the interior
region 6108 and
the second outdoor area 6126. The yard 6128 can be paved and/or otherwise
configured to facilitate
automobile parking. The commercial building 6100 can include an interior space
6140 at a portion
of the interior region 6108 nearest to the storefront 6124. For simplicity of
illustration, fixtures, and
furnishings within the interior space 6140 are not shown. The interior space
6140 can be at a
ground floor of the commercial building 6100. In at least some cases, the
interior space 6140 is a
purpose-built office, retail, and/or restaurant space. In Figure 177, the
interior space 6140 is shown
in a first state, which can be an original, pre-retrofit, or similar state. A
primary egress path from
the interior space 6140 to the first outdoor area 6118 can extend through the
storefront 6124.
[00478] As shown in Figure 177, the first and second building bathrooms
6110, 6112 can
include respective toilets 6142 and respective sinks 6144. The commercial
building 6100 can
include a plumbing drain trunk line 6146 and a water supply trunk line 6148
operably associated
with the first and second building bathrooms 6110, 6112. The plumbing drain
trunk line 6146 can
follow a drainage route from the first and second building bathrooms 6110,
6112 toward a sewage
destination (e.g., a municipal sewer) (not shown). Similarly, the water supply
trunk line 6148 can
follow a supply route from a water source (e.g., a municipal water source)
(not shown) toward the
first and second building bathrooms 6110, 6112. The plumbing drain trunk line
6146 can be below-
ground, such as positioned below a ground surface outside the commercial
building 6100 along the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
drainage route. In addition or alternatively, the plumbing drain trunk line
6146 can be below-floor,
such as positioned below a finished floor surface of the commercial building
6100 along the
drainage route. Similarly, the water supply trunk line 6148 can be below-
ground, such as
positioned below a ground surface outside the commercial building 6100 along
the supply route. In
addition or alternatively, the water supply trunk line 6148 can be below-
floor, such as positioned
below a finished floor surface of the commercial building 6100 along the
supply route.
[00479] The plumbing drain trunk line 6146 and/or the water supply trunk
line 6148 can be
buried or otherwise permanently installed within a basement, a crawlspace, a
chase, a foundation, a
volume of dirt, or another suitable environment directly below the first and
second building
bathrooms 6110, 6112 and/or directly below an area around the first and second
building bathrooms
6110, 6112. Furthermore, the plumbing drain trunk line 6146 can be sloped to
convey liquid waste
(e.g., sewage) from the first and second building bathrooms 6110, 6112 toward
the sewage
destination at least partially by gravity. The water supply trunk line 6148
can be configured to
convey potable water from the water source to the first and second building
bathrooms 6110, 6112
under pressure. In at least some cases, the commercial building 6100 includes
a building water
heater 6150 operably associated with the water supply trunk line 6148. In
these cases, the water
supply trunk line 6148 can bifurcate into branches (not shown) that supply
cold and hot water,
respectively, to the first and second building bathrooms 6110, 6112, such as
at the sinks 6144. The
building water heater 6150 can be operably associated with a branch of the
water supply trunk line
6148 that supplies hot water to the first and second building bathrooms 6110,
6112. As shown in
Figure 177, the building water heater 6150 can be disposed within the utility
room 6114. The
commercial building 6100 can include a furnace 6152 and an electrical panel
6154 also disposed
within the utility room 6114. The commercial building 6100 can further include
a main electrical
supply line 6156 through which the electrical panel 6154 is operably connected
to an electrical
source (e.g., a municipal power source) (not shown). Electrical lines and
fixtures downstream from
the electrical panel 6154 are omitted for clarity of illustration. As shown in
Figure 177, the
commercial building 6100 can include a hose bibb 6160 at an exterior side of
the exterior wall
6104c.
[00480] Figure 178 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 177. Figure
179 is a cross-
sectional top plan view of a portion of the commercial building 6100
corresponding to the portion
of Figure 177 shown in Figure 178 and showing a real estate unit 6162 in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present technology. The real estate unit 6162 can include
the interior space
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
6140 retrofitted (e.g., at least substantially reversibly retrofitted) for an
alternative use. In Figure
179, the interior space 6140 is shown in a second state, which can be a non-
original, post-retrofit, or
similar state. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior space 6140 is
retrofitted for lodging and/or
residential use. In other embodiments, the interior space 6140 can be
retrofitted for another suitable
alternative use, such as office, and/or assembly use in addition to or instead
of lodging and/or
residential use. With reference again to Figure 179, the retrofitting of the
interior space 6140 can
occur well after (e.g., at least 20 years after) the commercial building 6100
was originally
constructed.
[00481] The real estate unit 6162 can include a variety of retrofits (e.g.,
at least substantially
reversible retrofits) to the commercial building 6100 that change at least a
portion of the
commercial building 6100 from being well suited a purpose-built use to being
well suited for an
alternative use. In at least some cases, reversal of all or a portion of these
retrofits returns the
portion of the commercial building 6100 from being well suited for the
alternative use to again
being well suited for the purpose-built use. Examples of reversible retrofits
include removing,
installing, and relocating furniture and fixtures with little or no associated
demolition of the exterior
and interior walls 6104, 6106 or other permanent fabric of the commercial
building 6100. The
interior space 6140 and other suitable portions of the commercial building
6100 can be at least
substantially reversibly retrofitted to accommodate the real estate unit 6162.
For example, a total
cost of reversible retrofits to the commercial building 6100 (e.g., a present
value of at least
substantially reversibly installed reusable components of the real estate unit
6162) for a given
transformation of the interior space 6140 from being well suited for a purpose-
built use to being
well suited for an alternative use can be greater (e.g., at least 50% greater
or at least 100% greater)
than a total cost of permanent retrofits to the commercial building 6100 (e.g.
modifications to the
permanent fabric of the commercial building 6100) for the given
transformation. Capital associated
with the alternative use can be readily re-deployable after the alternative
use becomes inactive. In
some cases, the alternative use and the real estate unit 6162 are active for
one year or less (e.g., six
months or less) between successive transformations. In other cases, the
alternative use and the real
estate unit 6162 can have longer durations or even be permanent.
[00482] As shown in Figure 179, the real estate unit 6162 can include a
bathroom 6164
disposed (e.g., removably disposed) within the commercial building 6100. The
bathroom 6164 can
include a sink 6166, a toilet 6168, and a bath/shower 6170. In at least some
embodiments, the
bathroom 6164 is reusable and removably disposed within the commercial
building 6100. For
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
example, unlike a conventional bathroom that can only be installed by heavy
construction and
removed by heavy demolition, the bathroom 6164 can be configured to be
installed with little or no
need for heavy construction and removed with little or no need for heavy
demolition. Furthermore,
the bathroom 6164 can be configured to be conveniently transported and reused
after its removal.
In the illustrated embodiment, the bathroom 6164 is an assembly of reusable
bathroom modules
configured for rapid deployment into and removal from the commercial building
6100 in an at least
partially disassembled state. For example, the bathroom 6164 can be made up
mostly or entirely of
reusable modular components. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the
bathroom 6164 can be
portable and configured for rapid deployment into and removal from the
commercial building 6100
without significant disassembly. This deployment and removal can occur by
forklift, by dolly, by
operation of wheels integrated into the counterpart of the bathroom 6164, or
in another manner. In
still other embodiments, a counterpart of the bathroom 6164 can have other
forms.
[00483] The interior space 6140 can be within a compartment 6186 at least
partially defined by
wall components 6187 of the real estate unit 6162. In the illustrated
embodiment, the real estate
unit 6162 and the compartment 6186 encompass no more than 60% of a total floor
area of a ground
floor of the commercial building 6100. In other embodiments, counterparts of
the real estate unit
6162 and the compartment 6186 can be larger, such as encompassing 60% to 80%
or encompassing
60% to 100% of a total floor area of a ground floor of a counterpart of the
commercial building
6100. As shown in Figure 179, the wall components 6187 can be disposed at a
perimeter portion of
the compartment 6186. The wall components 6187 and/or other suitable
components of the
compartmentalizing assembly 6185 can be reusable and removably disposed within
the commercial
building 6100. As discussed in further detail below, the wall components 6187
can be stacked
and/or interlocking.
[00484] In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 6162 is
configured to be mostly off-
grid (i.e., independent of service connections to local utilities). For
example, the real estate unit
6162 can be configured to operate at least substantially off-grid with respect
to an overall electrical
supply to the interior space 6140, with respect to disposal of blackwater
(e.g., wastewater from the
toilet 6168), and/or in other respects. This feature of the real estate unit
6162 can be useful, for
example, to avoid costs and complications associated with utility hookups, to
reduce the
environmental impact of the real estate unit 6162, to facilitate efficient
management of the real
estate unit 6162, to reduce costs associated with maintaining the real estate
unit 6162 during periods
of nonuse or low use, and/or for other reasons. In other embodiments, a
counterpart of the real
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
estate unit 6162 can be mostly or entirely on-grid (i.e., dependent on service
connections to local
utilities).
[00485] As shown in Figure 179, the real estate unit 6162 can include a
dock 6188 disposed
(e.g., removably disposed) outside the interior space 6140. The dock 6188 can
be within the
interior region 6108 or outside the interior region 6108. Furthermore, the
dock 6188 can be above-
floor (as illustrated), above-ground, or below-ground (e.g., disposed within a
pit). At the dock
6188, the real estate unit 6162 can include a heat pump 6190, an exhaust
filter 6192, a blackwater
tank 6194, a water reservoir 6196, a water heater 6198, a greywater filter
6200, a wireless router
6202, a battery 6204, a trash bin 6206, a recycling bin 6208, and a laundry
bin 6210. The water
reservoir 6196 can be operably connected to a hose bibb (not shown) and can be
configured to
increase a capacity of the hose bibb to supply water to the bathroom 6164,
such as by attenuating
spikes in demand for water from the bathroom 6164. In the illustrated
embodiment, the real estate
unit 6162 is configured to separately manage removal and disposal of
blackwater (e.g., wastewater
from the toilet 6168) and greywater (e.g., wastewater from the sink 6166 and
the bath/shower
6170). In other embodiments, a counterpart of the real estate unit 6162 can be
configured to
collectively manage removal and disposal of blackwater and greywater.
Accordingly, the
blackwater tank 6194 can be more generally referred to as a sewage tank
indicating that it can be
configured to receive primarily blackwater, primarily greywater, or both
blackwater and greywater.
[00486] With reference again to Figure 179, the exhaust filter 6192, the
blackwater tank 6194,
the battery 6204, the trash bin 6206, the recycling bin 6208, and the laundry
bin 6210 can be
removably connected to the dock 6188 or otherwise removably disposed outside
the interior space
6140. Furthermore, these components can be reusable. In the illustrated
embodiment, the real
estate unit 6162 is configured to operate on-grid with respect to a water
supply to the real estate unit
6162 (e.g., because the water reservoir 6196 is operably connected, for
replenishment, to the water
supply trunk line 6148 via the hose bibb), configured to be off-grid with
respect to an electrical
supply to the real estate unit 6162, and configured to be off-grid with
respect to disposal of
blackwater from the toilet 6168. In other embodiments, a counterpart of the
real estate unit 6162
can be off-grid with respect to its water supply (e.g., because a counterpart
of the water reservoir
6196 is configured to be independently refilled or swapped), on-grid with
respect to its electrical
supply (e.g. because a counterpart of the battery 6204 is operably connected,
for recharging, to a
counterpart of the electrical panel 6154), and/or on-grid with respect its
sewage disposal (e.g.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
because a counterpart of the blackwater tank 6194 is operably connected (e.g.,
for draining) to a
counterpart of the plumbing drain trunk line 6146).
[00487] The real estate unit 6162 can be configured to receive occasional
servicing. This
servicing can be include collecting backwater, trash, recyclables, and laundry
(e.g., for cleaning and
return) from the blackwater tank 6194, the trash bin 6206, the recycling bin
6208, and the laundry
bin 6210, respectively. The servicing can also include recharging the battery
6204. In at least some
cases, the blackwater tank 6194 is configured to be pumped out in situ and/or
swapped for removal
of blackwater from the real estate unit 6162. Similarly, the battery 6204 can
be configured to be
recharged in situ and/or swapped for at least partial replenishment of an
electrical supply to the real
estate unit 6162. A less-full replacement for the blackwater tank 6194, a more-
fully-charged
replacement for the battery 6204, and/or other suitable replacements for
components of the real
estate unit 6162 can be delivered to the real estate unit 6162 by truck or in
another manner. The
replaced components can be collected in the same or a different manner and
transported to a central
location (e.g., a station or substation; not shown) where the components can
be efficiently processed
(e.g., emptied, cleaned, recharged, etc.) for reuse. This delivery and
collection can occur on a
regular schedule (e.g., daily, every-other-day, etc.), as needed, and/or on
demand.
[00488] As shown in Figure 179, the dock 6188 can include sensors 6212
(individually
identified as sensors 6212a-6212f) operably connected to the blackwater tank
6194, the water
reservoir 6196, the battery 6204, the trash bin 6206, the recycling bin 6208,
and the laundry bin
6210, respectively. The sensors 6212 can be wirelessly connected to a remote
server 6214 via the
router 6202 and a network 6216 (e.g., the Internet). The server 6214 can
include software that
automatically processes data from the sensors 6212 to determine when servicing
of the real estate
unit 6162 is required. For example, data from the sensor 6212a may indicate
that the blackwater
tank 6194 is at 75% of capacity and needs to be drained or swapped promptly.
As another example,
data from the sensor 6212b may indicate that the water reservoir 6196 is being
depleted faster than
it can be replenished via the hose bibb 6160 and, therefore, needs to be
independently replenished
promptly. As yet another example, data from the sensor 6212c may indicate that
the battery 6204 is
at 25% of capacity and needs to be recharged or swapped promptly. Over time,
aggregate data from
the sensors 6212 can be analyzed to establish default servicing intervals for
the real estate unit 6162.
In addition or alternatively, data from the sensors 6212 can be used to
calculate utility usage for the
real estate unit 6162 for purposes of environmental reporting and/or billing a
renter of the real estate
unit 6162. The sensors 6212a-6212f can be of suitable respective types for
monitoring the
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
corresponding components of the real estate unit 6162. For example, the
sensors 6212a, 6212b,
6212d-6212f can be weight sensors, level sensors, or other types of sensors
configured to measure
fullness levels of the blackwater tank 6194, the water reservoir 6196, the
trash bin 6206, the
recycling bin 6208, and the laundry bin 6210, respectively. As another
example, the sensor 6212c
can be a charge meter or another type of sensor configured to measure a charge
of the battery 6204.
[00489]
The real estate unit 6162 can include suitable utility lines and other
connections that
extend from components of the real estate unit 6162 within the interior space
6140 to components
of the real estate unit 6162 or other structures outside of the interior space
6140. For example, the
real estate unit 6162 can include a heater/cooler 6218 within the interior
space 6138, and the real
estate unit 6162 can further include refrigerant lines 6220 extending between
the heater/cooler 6218
and the heat pump 6190. Similarly, the real estate unit 6162 can include an
electrical outlet 6222
serving the interior space 6138, and the real estate unit 6162 can further
include an electrical line
6224 extending between the electrical outlet 6222 and the battery 6204. The
battery 6204,
therefore, can be configured to power an appliance (not shown) within the
interior space 6138 via
the electrical outlet 6222 and the electrical line 6224. As additional
examples of suitable utility
lines, the real estate unit 6162 can include a blackwater drain line 6226
extending between the
bathroom 6164 and the blackwater tank 6194, a cold water supply line 6228
extending between the
bathroom 6164 and the water reservoir 6196, a hot water supply line 6230
extending between the
bathroom 6164 and the water heater 6198, a greywater drain line 6232 extending
between the
bathroom 6164 and the greywater filter 6200, a plumbing ventilation line 6234
extending between
the bathroom 6164 and the exhaust filter 6192, and an exhaust line 6236 also
extending between the
bathroom 6164 and the exhaust filter 6192. The blackwater drain line 6226 and
the greywater drain
line 6232 can be sloped to convey liquid waste from the bathroom 6164 toward
the blackwater tank
6194 and the greywater filter 6200, respectively, at least partially by
gravity. To facilitate this
sloping and/or for other reasons, the bathroom 6164 can have a floor level at
least 0.5 meter (e.g., at
least 1 meter) higher than an underlying floor level of the interior space
6138. In the illustrated
embodiment, the blackwater drain line 6226 and the greywater drain line 6232
are separate. In
other embodiments, a counterpart of the real estate unit 6162 can include
combined blackwater and
greywater lines. Accordingly, the blackwater drain line 6226 and the greywater
drain line 6232 can
be more generally referred to as plumbing drain lines indicating that they can
be configured to
convey primarily blackwater, primarily greywater, or both blackwater and
greywater.
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CA 3009925 2018-06-27
[00490] The real estate unit 6162 can further include a trash hatch 6238, a
recycling hatch
6240, and a laundry hatch 6242 within the interior space 6138. The real estate
unit 6162 can also
include a trash chute 6244 extending between the trash hatch 6238 and the
trash bin 6206, a
recycling chute 6246 extending between the recycling hatch 6240 and the
recycling bin 6208, and a
laundry chute 6248 extending between the laundry hatch 6242 and the laundry
bin 6210. The
refrigerant lines 6220, electrical line 6224, blackwater drain line 6226, cold
water supply line 6228,
hot water supply line 6230, greywater drain line 6232, plumbing ventilation
line 6234, exhaust line
6236, trash chute 6244, recycling chute 6246, and laundry chute 6248 can
extend through the wall
components 6187. For example, some or all of these lines and chutes can extend
through openings
in the wall components 6187. The lines and chutes can be removably disposed
inside and/or outside
the interior space 6140. For example, the lines and chutes can be temporary
and configured for
reuse or disposal upon decommissioning of the real estate unit 6162. In at
least some embodiments,
the blackwater drain line 6226 and the greywater drain line 6232 extend above-
floor and then
above-ground from the bathroom 6164 toward the blackwater tank 6194 and the
greywater filter
6200, respectively.
[00491] The dock 6188 can include additional lines, connections, and other
suitable
components associated with the components of the real estate unit 6162 at the
dock 6188. For
example, the dock 6188 can include a housing 6250 that provides security and
protection from
weather to components of the real estate unit 6162 at the dock 6188. The
housing 6250 can include
a lid (not shown) configured to be open when the real estate unit 6162 is
being serviced and closed
and locked when the real estate unit 6162 is not being serviced. In at least
some embodiments, the
lid includes solar panels (also not shown) operably connected to the battery
6204. The dock 6188
can further include couplings along some or all of the lines and chutes
described above. These
couplings can separate portions of the lines and chutes within the housing
6250 from portions of the
lines and chutes outside the housing 6250. Thus, by operation of these
couplings, the dock 6188
can be transportable as a unit with little or no need to modify internal
portions of the dock 6188 in
the field. For example, the dock 6188 can be pre-manufactured with the
internal components shown
in Figure 179, installed at the location shown in Figure 179, and then
connected up to portions of
the associated lines and chutes outside of the housing 6250.
[00492] The dock 6188 can further include couplings that facilitate
convenient removal and
replacement (e.g., swapping) of the blackwater tank 6194, the battery 6204,
the trash bin 6206, the
recycling bin 6208, and the laundry bin 6210. For example, the dock 6188 can
include a blackwater
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drain quick-connect coupling 6252 through which the blackwater tank 6194 is
fluidically connected
to the dock 6188, the blackwater drain line 6226, and the bathroom 6164. In at
least some
embodiments, the blackwater drain quick-connect coupling 6252 includes a check
valve. Similarly,
the dock 6188 can include an electrical quick-connect coupling 6254 through
which the battery
6204 is electrically connected to the dock 6188, the electrical line 6224, and
the electrical outlet
6222. The dock 6188 can also include a floor 6256 having pads 6258
(individually identified as
pads 6258a-6258e) that facilitate convenient registration of the blackwater
tank 6194, the battery
6204, the trash bin 6206, the recycling bin 6208, and the laundry bin 6210
with the blackwater drain
quick-connect coupling 6252, the electrical quick-connect coupling 6254, the
trash chute 6244, the
recycling chute 6246, and the laundry chute 6248, respectively. For example,
the pads 6258a-6258e
can be insets in the floor 6256 that snuggly receive corresponding lower
portions of the blackwater
tank 6194, the battery 6204, the trash bin 6206, the recycling bin 6208, and
the laundry bin 6210,
respectively.
[00493] As shown in Figure 179, the dock 6188 can include a potable water
inlet 6260 and a
greywater outlet 6262. The real estate unit 6162 can include a first hose 6264
extending between
the hose bibb 6160 and the potable water inlet 6260. The real estate unit 6162
can further include a
second hose 6266 extending between the greywater outlet 6262 and a greywater
drain (not shown).
The dock 6188 can include internal plumbing (e.g., under the floor 6256; not
shown) fluidically
connecting the water reservoir 6196 and the potable water inlet 6260, and
fluidically connecting the
greywater filter 6200 and the greywater outlet 6262. In at least some
embodiments, this internal
plumbing includes a pump (not shown). The dock 6188 can further include an
exhaust output fan
6270 and an internal duct 6272 extending between the exhaust output fan 6270
and the exhaust
filter 6192. The dock 6188 can also include an inverter 6274 operably
connected to the electrical
line 6224.
[00494] The real estate unit 6162 can be furnished or otherwise outfitted
with suitable
furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc. to accommodate its alternative use.
In the illustrated
embodiment, the real estate unit 6162 is a lodging and/or residential unit
with suitable furnishings,
fixtures, accessories, etc. within the interior space 6140 to accommodate
lodging and/or residential
use of the interior space 6140. These furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc.
can include a bed 6276,
a side table 6278, shelving units 6280 (individually identified as shelving
units 6280a, 6280b), a
writing table 6282, a chair 6284, a sofa 6286, a coffee table 6288, a
television 6290, a kitchenette
6292, a refrigerator 6294, a set of step stairs 6296, and a dining table 6297.
The kitchenette 6292
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and the set of step stairs 6296 can be operably associated with the bathroom
6164. The real estate
unit 6162 can further include a closet 6298 disposed (e.g., removably
disposed) within the interior
space 6140. The real estate unit 6162 can also include a curtain 6299 at an
interior side of the
storefront 6124. The curtain 6299 can be movable for privacy and to control an
amount of natural
light entering the interior space 6140 via the storefront 6124. In other
embodiments, a counterpart
of the real estate unit 6162 can include other suitable furnishings, fixtures,
accessories, etc. As
described in further detail below, real estate units in accordance with other
embodiments of the
present technology can be rentable office units, rentable assembly units,
and/or have other suitable
primarily uses in addition to or instead of lodging and/or residential uses.
Furthermore, rentable
real estate units in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can
be directly rentable,
rentable via a membership system (e.g., in a member-based network of real
estate units), rentable
under short-term use arrangements (e.g., lodging arrangements), and/or
rentable in another manner.
[00495]
Figure 180 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 179 showing several of
the wall
components 6187. Figures 181 and 182 are, respectively, a cross-sectional
exterior (i.e., facing
outward relative to the compartment 6186) side profile view and a cross-
sectional interior (i.e.,
facing inward relative to the compartment 6186) side profile view of a portion
of the real estate unit
6162 shown in Figure 179 corresponding to the portion of Figure 179 shown in
Figure 180. Figure
183 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 182. With reference to Figures
179-183 together, the
wall components 6187 can be arranged in staggered rows within a wall 6448 at a
perimeter portion
of the interior space 6140. The wall components 6187 closest to the exterior
wall 6104b can
alternate row-to-row between larger and smaller rectangular shapes.
Similarly, the wall
components 6187 closest to the exterior wall 6104d can alternate row-to-row
between larger and
smaller rectangular shapes. Elsewhere within the wall 6448, the wall
components 6187 can have
the larger rectangular shape. The overall wall 6448 can be at least
substantially self-supporting
and/or at least substantially free-standing.
[00496]
The interior space 6140 can have a finished floor surface 6450 over which the
wall
components 6187 are removably disposed, a finished wall surface 6452 beside
which the wall
components 6187 are removably disposed, and a finished ceiling surface 6454
below which the wall
components 6187 are removably disposed. The compartmentalizing assembly 6185
can include a
liner 6456 disposed (e.g., removably or permanently disposed) on the finished
floor surface 6450
below the interior wall components 6187. For example, the liner 6456 can be
adhesively connected
to the finished floor surface 6450. The liner 6456 can be useful, for example,
to protect the finished
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floor surface 6450 from components of the wall 6448, to facilitate layout the
wall 6448, to reduce or
eliminate the possibility of shifting of the wall 6448, and/or for other
purposes. Suitable materials
for the liner 6456 include strips of peel-and-stick house wrap and strips of
peel-and-stick roof
underlayment. The liner 6456 can be disposable or reusable.
[00497] In at least some embodiments, the wall 6448 includes additional
components that
facilitate compatibility between the wall components 6187 and the interior
space 6140 when the
wall components 6187 have standard dimensions and the interior space 6140 has
irregular
dimensions. For example, the wall 6448 can include a mass of self-leveling
material 6458 (e.g., a
disposable mass of hardened self-leveling grout) under the wall components
6187 and over the liner
6456. The mass of self-leveling material 6458 can be molded and, in at least
some cases, is
integrally formed along most or all of an overall footprint of the wall 6448.
During formation of the
mass of self-leveling material 6458, the constituent self-leveling material
can be of sufficiently low
viscosity to level itself by gravity. Thus, the mass of self-leveling material
6458 can automatically
conform to slopes, dips, and other irregularities in the finished floor
surface 6450. When at least
partially cured, the mass of self-leveling material 6458 can provide the wall
6448 with a reliably
level surface that facilitates vertical stacking of the wall components 6187.
[00498] As shown in Figures 179 and 180, the wall 6448 can include
compressible batting
6460 disposed (e.g., stuffed) into a vertical gap between the wall components
6187 and the finished
wall surface 6452 and disposed (e.g., stuffed) into a horizontal gap between
the wall components
6187 and the finished ceiling surface 6454. The batting 6460 can be reusable.
Furthermore, the
batting 6460 can be non-combustible. For example, the batting 6460 can be
reusable bundles of
lined or unlined mineral wool insulation. As shown in Figure 182, the
compartmentalizing
assembly 6185 can include inwardly facing molding panels 6462 that hide the
batting 6460 from
inside the compartment 6186. The molding panels 6462 can be attached to the
wall components
6187 magnetically, adhesively, mechanically, or in another manner. In at least
some embodiments,
the overall wall 6448 has a fire rating of at least two hours. This can be
useful, for example, for
building-code compliance when the real estate unit 6162 has a use different
than another ongoing
use within the commercial building 6100.
[00499] The individual interior wall components 6187 can include downwardly
extending
flanges 6464 that are received within successively lower wall components 6187.
The wall 6448 can
further include base blocks 6466 configured to receive the flanges 6464 of the
interior wall
components 6187 within a lowest row of wall components 6187 within the wall
6448. When fully
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assembled, the wall 6448 can be strong enough to support fixtures and
accessories (e.g., electrical
conduits, monitors, shelving, moldings, artwork, furniture supports, etc.). In
at least some
embodiments, exposed portions of the wall components 6187 are at least
partially made of ferrous
metal such that fixtures and accessories can be connected to the wall 6448
magnetically. In addition
or alternatively, the wall components 6187 can include coupling components
6468 that allow
fixtures and accessories to be connected to the wall 6448 mechanically and/or
by gravity.
[00500] Figure 184 is side profile view of a given one of the wall
components 6187 separate
from other portions of the wall 6448. Figure 185 is a cross-sectional top plan
view of the given wall
component 6187 taken along the line 185-185 in Figure 184. Figure 186 is a
cross-sectional end
profile view of the given wall component 6187 taken along the line 186-186 in
Figure 184. The
given wall component 6187 is of the large rectangular type. In at least some
embodiments, other
(e.g., most or all) of the wall components 6187 of the large rectangular type
within the wall 6448 at
least substantially match the given wall component 6187. Furthermore, wall
components 6187 of
the small rectangular type can have the same or similar features as the
features of the given wall
component 6187. With reference to Figures 184-186 together, the given wall
component 6187 can
include a shell 6470 having a first side panel 6472 and an opposite second
side panel 6474 parallel
to and spaced apart from the first side panel 6472. Similarly, the shell 6470
can include a first end
panel 6476 and an opposite second end panel 6478 parallel to and spaced apart
from the first end
panel 6476. The first and second side panels 6472, 6474 and the first and
second end panels 6476,
6478 can define an interior region of the given wall component 6187 shaped,
for example, as a
rectangular solid.
[00501] The given wall component 6187 can include two of the flanges 6464
at the first side
panel 6472 and another two of the flanges 6464 at the second side panel 6474.
As shown in Figure
186, the flanges 6464 can be parallel to and inset relative to the
corresponding first and second side
panels 6472, 6474. Between the flanges 6464 at the first side panel 6472 and
between the flanges
6464 at the second side panel 6474, the given wall component 6187 can include
respective slots
6480. When the given wall component 6187 is assembled with other wall
components 6187 of the
large rectangular type within the wall 6448, one of the flanges 6464 at the
first side panel 6472 and
an opposing one of the flanges 6464 at the second side panel 6474 can be
received within the
interior region of a first neighboring lower wall component 6187. Similarly,
the other of the flanges
6464 at the first side panel 6472 and the other of the flanges 6464 at the
second side panel 6474 can
be received within the interior region of a second neighboring lower wall
component 6187 adjacent
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to the first neighboring lower wall component 6187. The second end panel 6478
of the first
neighboring lower wall component 6187 and the first end panel 6476 of the
second neighboring
lower wall component 6187 can be directly adjacent to one another and received
within the slots
6480 of the given wall component 6187. This interaction between the wall
components 6187 can
facilitate convenient assembly of the wall 6448 with neighboring rows of the
interior wall
components 6187 evenly staggered.
[00502] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side panels
6472, 6474 are thinner
than the first and second end panels 6476, 6478 and made of a different
material. For example, the
first and second side panels 6472, 6474 can be metal (e.g., iron) and the
first and second end panels
6476, 6478 can be cementitious (e.g., fiber-reinforced cement). The metal
composition of the first
and second side panels 6472, 6474 can be useful, for example, for aesthetics,
to facilitate magnetic
coupling of fixtures and accessories to the wall 6448, and/or for other
reasons. The cementitious
composition of the first and second end panels 6476, 6478 can be useful, for
example, to reduce
noise transmission through the wall 6448, for cost savings, and/or for other
reasons. In other
embodiments, the first and second side panels 6472, 6474 and the first and
second end panels 6476,
6478 can have other compositions.
[00503] The given wall component 6187 can further include batting 6482
disposed within its
interior region. Similar to the batting 6460 described above, the batting 6482
can be reusable and/or
non-combustible. For example, the batting 6482 can be reusable bundles of
lined or unlined
mineral wool insulation. In at least some embodiments, the batting 6482 is
removable.
Furthermore, the shell 6470 can be collapsible from an expanded state to a
compact (e.g., at least
partially flattened) state. For example, at corners where the first and second
side panels 6472, 6474
and the first and second end panels 6476, 6478 meet, the given wall component
6187 can include
hinges (not shown), such as flexure bearings or piano hinges, that allow each
corner to fold in a
direction that causes the first and second side panels 6472, 6474 and the
first and second end panels
6476, 6478 to at least partially flatten. This feature can facilitate
efficient storage and transport of
the shell 6470 before and/or after its deployment at the real estate unit
6162. When the shell 6470 is
collapsible, the given wall component 6187 can include a rectangular inset
(not shown) removably
disposed within the interior of the given wall component 6187 such that it
rests on upper edges of
the flanges 6464. When present, the inset can help the given wall component
6187 maintain its
rectangular form during use. When the shell 6470 is collapsed, the inset can
be removed.
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1005041 Figure 187 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 186. As shown
in Figure 187, a
lowermost portion of the first side panel 6472 can overlap an uppermost
portion of one the flanges
6464. Figure 187 further illustrates a given one of the coupling components
6468 at the lowermost
portion of the first side panel 6472. In at least some embodiments, other
(e.g., most or all) of the
coupling components 6468 of interior wall components 6187 within the wall 6448
at least
substantially match the coupling component 6468 illustrated in Figure 187. The
coupling
component 6468 can include a notch 6484 and a plug 6486 removably disposed
within the notch
6484. The plug 6486 can include a magnet 6488 that releasably connects the
plug 6486 to the
uppermost portion of the adjacent flange 6464. The plug 6486 can be disposed
within the notch
6484 when the coupling component 6468 is not in use. Removing the plug 6486
from the notch
6484 can expose an opening into the interior of the given interior wall
component 6187. A
mechanical fastener (e.g., a hook) (not shown) can be inserted into this
opening. In this way,
relatively heavy fixtures and accessories can be connected to the wall 6448
through a reliable
mechanical connection in addition to or instead of a magnetic connection.
1005051 Figure 188 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
6490 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
6140 within the
commercial building 6100 taken along the line 188-188 in Figure 176 with the
interior space 6140
in the second state. Figure 189 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure
188. Figure 190 is a
cross-sectional exterior side profile view of a portion of the real estate
unit 6490 corresponding to
the portion of Figure 188 shown in Figure 189. With reference to Figures 188-
190 together, the real
estate unit 6490 can include ceiling components (e.g., reusable ceiling
components) removably
disposed within the commercial building 6100. The ceiling components can
include ceiling panels
6492 and elongate ceiling beams 6493 interspersed between the ceiling panels
6492. The ceiling
beams 6493 can support the ceiling panels 6492, and the wall components 6187
can support the
ceiling beams 6493. The wall components 6187 can be assembled into walls,
columns, or other
suitable structures that extend between the ceiling beams 6493 and the
finished floor surface 6450.
For example, the real estate unit 6490 can include columns and headers (not
shown) abutting an
interior surface of the exterior wall 6104a. The ceiling beams 6493 can extend
between the wall
6448 and the headers. When a distance between the wall 6448 and the headers
does not correspond
to a multiple of the length of the ceiling panels 6492, and in other cases,
the ceiling panels 6492 and
the ceiling beams 6493 can be cantilevered over the wall 6448.
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[00506] As shown in Figure 190, the individual ceiling beams 6493 can have
an I-shape
transverse cross-section including two channels at opposite sides of a central
web. The individual
ceiling panels 6492 can have side edge portions snugly received within
corresponding channels of
adjacent ceiling beams 6493. Together, the ceiling panels 6492 and the ceiling
beams 6493 can
form a ceiling 6495 of the real estate unit 6490. The ceiling 6495 can be
below an airspace 6496
within the commercial building 6100. The commercial building 6100 can include
a central heating
system 6497 (shown schematically) operable to heat the airspace 6496 and
thereby provide below-
room-temperature baseline heating to the interior space 6140 via the ceiling
6495. The real estate
unit 6490 can include a supplemental heater 6498 (shown schematically)
operable to provide
supplemental heating to the interior space 6140.
[00507] With reference again to the real estate unit 6162, Figures 191,
192, 193 and 194 are,
respectively, a first side profile view, an opposite second side profile view,
a first end profile view,
and an opposite second end profile view of the bathroom 6164. With reference
to Figures 191-194
together, the bathroom 6164 can include a rectangular floor module 6500, a
rectangular ceiling
module 6502 vertically spaced apart from the floor module 6500, and a
plurality of wall modules
6504 (individually identified as wall modules 6504a-6504d) removably connected
to the floor and
ceiling modules 6500, 6502 at respective perimeter portions of the floor and
ceiling modules 6500,
6502. The bathroom 6164 can further include a lower gasket 6506 disposed
between the perimeter
portion of the floor module 6500 and the wall modules 6504, and an upper
gasket 6508 disposed
between the perimeter portion of the ceiling module 6502 and the wall modules
6504. The floor
module 6500 can include upwardly extending tabs 6510 through which the floor
module 6500 is
secured to the wall modules 6504. Similarly, the ceiling module 6502 can
include downwardly
extending tabs 6512 through which the ceiling module 6502 is secured to the
wall modules 6504.
The wall modules 6504c, 6504d can include vertical flanges 6514 at which the
wall modules 6504c,
6504d are secured to the wall modules 6504a, 6504b. The bathroom 6164 can
include bolts 6516
and associated nuts 6518 at the upwardly extending tabs 6510, the downwardly
extending tabs
6512, and the vertical flanges 6514.
[00508] At the wall module 6504a (Figure 193), the bathroom 6164 can
include a doorway
opening 6520, a frame 6522 extending around the doorway opening 6520, and a
door 6524 disposed
within the doorway opening 6520 and hingedly connected to the frame 6522. The
bathroom 6164
can further include a handle 6526 and hinges 6528 operably associated with the
door 6524. At the
wall module 6504c (Figure 191), the bathroom 6164 can include a plumbing
ventilation hookup
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6530 and an exhaust hookup 6532. The plumbing ventilation hookup 6530 and the
exhaust hookup
6532 can be configured for convenient connection to and disconnection from the
plumbing
ventilation line 6234 and the exhaust line 6236 (Figure 179), respectively,
such as via quick-release
couplings (not shown). The wall modules 6504c, 6504d can extend between the
wall modules
6504a, 6504b at opposite sides of the bathroom 6164. As discussed above, the
bathroom 6164 can
be configured to be elevated above a floor surface of the interior space 6140.
For this purpose
and/or another purpose, the floor module 6500 can include feet 6533. In at
least some
embodiments, a gap between the feet 6533 is large enough to allow the bathroom
6164, when fully
assembled, to be conveniently moved by forklift. At the ceiling module 6502,
the bathroom 6164
can include skylights 6534 that allow ambient light within the interior space
6138 to enter an
interior of the bathroom 6164.
[00509] At a side of the floor module 6500 below the wall module 6504c, the
bathroom 6164
can include a blackwater drain hookup 6535, a main cold water supply hookup
6536, and a main hot
water supply hookup 6538. At an end of the floor module 6500 below the wall
module 6504a, the
bathroom 6164 can include a main electrical hookup 6540 and a main greywater
drain hookup
6541. The blackwater drain hookup 6535, the main cold water supply hookup
6536, the main hot
water supply hookup 6538, the main electrical hookup 6540, and the main
greywater drain hookup
6541 can be configured for convenient connection to and disconnection from the
blackwater drain
line 6226, the cold water supply line 6228, the hot water supply line 6230,
the electrical line 6224,
and the greywater drain line 6232, respectively, such as via quick-release
couplings (not shown).
At a side of the floor module 6500 below the wall module 6504d, the bathroom
6164 can include an
auxiliary greywater drain hookup 6542, an auxiliary cold water supply hookup
6544, an auxiliary
hot water supply hookup 6546, and an auxiliary electrical hookup 6548. The
auxiliary greywater
drain hookup 6542, the auxiliary cold water supply hookup 6544, the auxiliary
hot water supply
hookup 6546, and the auxiliary electrical hookup 6548 can be configured for
convenient connection
to and disconnection from corresponding lines (not shown) of the kitchenette
6292, such as via
quick-release couplings (not shown).
[00510] Figure 195 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 6164
taken along the line
195-195 in Figure 191. As shown in Figure 195, the floor module 6500 can
include a deck 6554 on
which the sink 6166, the toilet 6168, and the bath/shower 6170 are disposed
(e.g., removably
disposed). The sink 6166 can include a basin 6562, a sink drain 6564, a sink
faucet 6566, a sink hot
water knob 6568, and a sink cold water knob 6570 operably connected to one
another. The toilet
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6168 can include a tank 6572, a bowl 6574, and a toilet drain 6576 operably
connected to one
another. The bath/shower 6170 can include a tub 6578, a bath/shower drain
6580, a tub faucet
6582, a tub cold water knob 6584, a tub hot water knob 6586, a cold water
conduit 6588, and a hot
water conduit 6590 operably connected to one another. The cold water conduit
6588 can include a
riser 6592 and a first branch 6594 extending between the riser 6592 and the
tub faucet 6582. The
tub cold water knob 6584 can be disposed along the first branch 6594 and
operable to control a flow
of cold water from the cold water conduit 6588 to the tub faucet 6582.
Similarly, the hot water
conduit 6590 can include a riser 6596 and a first branch 6598 extending
between the riser 6596 and
the tub faucet 6582. The tub hot water knob 6586 can be disposed along the
first branch 6598 and
operable to control a flow of hot water from the hot water conduit 6590 to the
tub faucet 6582.
[00511] The bathroom 6164 can include an electrical conduit 6600, and a
junction box 6602
operably connected to the electrical conduit 6600. The bathroom 6164 can
further include a first
plumbing ventilation conduit 6604 disposed between the sink 6166 and the
toilet 6168, and a
second plumbing ventilation conduit 6605 disposed between the sink 6166 and
the bath/shower
6170. The first and second plumbing ventilation conduits 6604, 6605 can be
configured to ventilate
blackwater and greywater plumbing, respectively. The bathroom 6164 can still
further include a
floor drain 6606 disposed between the toilet 6168 and the bath/shower 6170.
Figure 196 is an
enlarged view of a portion of Figure 195. With reference to Figures 195 and
196 together, the
bathroom 6164 can include vertical gaskets 6608 disposed between the
respective vertical flanges
6514 and corresponding portions of the wall modules 6504a, 6504b. Similarly,
the bathroom 6164
can include lower tab gaskets 6610 disposed between the respective upwardly
extending tabs 6510
and corresponding portions of the wall modules 6504.
[00512] Figure 197 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom
6164 taken along the
line 197-197 in Figure 191. As shown in Figure 197, the bathroom 6164 can
include a light fixture
6612 attached to the wall module 6504c above the sink 6166. The bathroom 6164
can further
include an exhaust intake fan 6614 attached to the ceiling module 6502. The
electrical conduit 6600
can extend from the junction box 6602 (Figure 195) to the light fixture 6612,
and from the light
fixture 6612 to the exhaust intake fan 6614. The first and second plumbing
ventilation conduits
6604, 6605 can merge and extend along an inner corner between the ceiling
module 6502 and the
wall module 6504c to the plumbing ventilation hookup 6530 (Figure 191). The
bathroom 6164 can
include an exhaust conduit 6616 extending from the exhaust intake fan 6614
along an inner corner
between the ceiling module 6502 and the wall module 6504b to the exhaust
hookup 6532 (Figure
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191). Above one end of the tub 6578 (Figure 195), the bath/shower 6170 (Figure
195) can include a
showerhead 6618, a shower cold water knob 6620 operably connected to the cold
water conduit
6588, and a shower hot water knob 6622 operably connected to the hot water
conduit 6590. The
cold water conduit 6588 can include a second branch 6624 extending between the
riser 6592 and the
showerhead 6618. The shower cold water knob 6620 can be disposed along the
second branch 6624
and operable to control a flow of cold water from the cold water conduit 6588
to the showerhead
6618. Similarly, the hot water conduit 6590 can include a second branch 6626
extending between
the riser 6596 and the showerhead 6618. The shower hot water knob 6622 can be
disposed along
the second branch 6626 and operable to control a flow of hot water from the
hot water conduit 6590
to the showerhead 6618. The bathroom 6164 can include upper tab gaskets 6628
disposed between
the respective downwardly extending tabs 6512 and corresponding portions of
the wall modules
6504.
[00513] Figure 198 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the bathroom 6164
taken along the line
198-198 in Figure 191. With reference to Figures 179 and 191-198 together, the
floor module 6500
can include a skirt 6630 and a series of parallel spaced-apart joists 6632
within the skirt 6630. The
bathroom 6164 can include a blackwater drain conduit 6634 operably connected
to the blackwater
drain hookup 6535 and the toilet drain 6576. Thus, the toilet 6168 can be
operably connected to the
blackwater tank 6194 via the blackwater drain conduit 6634 and the blackwater
drain line 6226.
The blackwater drain conduit 6634 can include a branch 6635 operably connected
to the first
plumbing ventilation conduit 6604. The bathroom 6164 can further include a
greywater drain
conduit 6636 operably connected to the main greywater drain hookup 6541. The
greywater drain
conduit 6636 can include branches 6638 (individually identified as branches
6638a-6638c) operably
connected to the second plumbing ventilation conduit 6605, the sink drain
6564, and the auxiliary
greywater drain hookup 6542, respectively. The greywater drain conduit 6636
can further include
sub-branches 6639 (individually identified as sub-branches 6639a, 6639b)
operably connected to
the bath/shower drain 6580 and the floor drain 6606, respectively. Thus, the
bath/shower drain
6580 can be operably connected to the greywater filter 6200 via the greywater
drain conduit 6636
and the greywater drain line 6232. The sub-branches 6639c, 6639b of the
greywater drain conduit
6636 can include respective traps 6640. Furthermore, the blackwater drain
conduit 6634 and the
greywater drain conduit 6636 can include respective caps 6642, such as to
facilitate clean-out.
[00514] The bathroom 6164 can include wheels 6643 (e.g., swivel casters)
integrated into the
floor module 6500. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 6643 are embedded
within the feet
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6533 and accessible via inwardly facing openings (not shown) of the feet 6533.
The individual
wheels 6643 can be movable between a retracted state and an extended state.
For example, the
bathroom 6164 can include posts 6644 having threads (not shown) that engage
corresponding
threads (not shown) of the wheels 6643 such that the wheels 6643 can be
rotatably moved between
the retracted and extended states. Moving the wheels 6643 from the retracted
state to the extended
state can lift the bathroom 6164 off a corresponding floor surface, thereby
allowing the bathroom
6164 to be conveniently moved along the floor surface.
[00515] The bathroom 6164 can further include a main cold water conduit
6645 and a main hot
water conduit 6646 operably connected to the main cold water supply hookup
6536 and the main
hot water supply hookup 6538, respectively. The main cold water conduit 6645
can include
branches 6648 (individually identified as branches 6648a, 6648b) operably
connected to the sink
6166 and the bath/shower 6170 (via the riser 6592), respectively. The main
cold water conduit
6645 can further include sub-branches 6650 (individually identified as sub-
branches 6650a, 6650b)
operably connected to the auxiliary cold water supply hookup 6544 and the
toilet 6168,
respectively. The main hot water conduit 6646 can include branches 6652
(individually identified
as branches 6652a, 6652b) operably connected to the sink 6166 and the
bath/shower 6170 (via the
riser 6596), respectively. The main hot water conduit 6646 can further include
a sub-branch 6654
operably connected to the auxiliary hot water supply hookup 6546. The bathroom
6164 can still
further include a main electrical conduit 6656 operably connected to the main
electrical hookup
6540. The main electrical conduit 6656 can include branches 6658 (individually
identified as
branches 6658a, 6658b) operably connected to the auxiliary electrical hookup
6548 and a floor
heating system (introduced below). The main electrical conduit 6656 can
further include a sub-
branch 6659 operably connected to the electrical conduit 6600.
[00516] Figure 199 is a cross-sectional bottom plan view of the bathroom
6164 taken along the
line 199-199 in Figure 191. As shown in Figure 199, the bathroom 6164 can
include a floor heating
system 6660 operably associated with the deck 6554. The floor heating system
6660 can include a
control box 6662 operably connected to the branch 6658b of the main electrical
conduit 6656, and a
heating cable 6664 operably connected to the control box 6662. The heating
cable 6664 can have a
serpentine configuration and be directly connected to an underside of the deck
6554 between the
joists 6632. With reference to Figures 191-199 together, the floor drain 6606,
the blackwater drain
conduit 6634 (e.g., including its branch 6635), the greywater drain conduit
6636 (e.g., including its
branches 6638 and sub-branches 6639), the main cold water conduit 6645 (e.g.,
including its
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branches 6648 and sub-branches 6650), the main hot water conduit 6646 (e.g.,
including its
branches 6652 and sub-branch 6654), the main electrical conduit 6656 (e.g.,
including its branches
6658 and sub-branch 6659), the floor heating system 6660, and/or other
suitable components of the
bathroom 6164 can be pre-installed components of the floor module 6500.
Similarly, the supply
plumbing for the bath/shower 6170 (e.g., including the tub faucet 6582, the
cold water conduit
6588, the hot water conduit 6590, and the showerhead 6618), the light fixture
6612, and/or other
suitable components of the bathroom 6164 can be pre-installed components of
the wall module
6504c. These and/or other aspects of the bathroom 6164 can facilitate rapid
deployment, removal,
and redeployment of the bathroom 6164.
[00517] Figure 200 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
6700 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
6140 within the
commercial building 6100 taken along the line L-L in Figure 176 with the
interior space 6140 in the
second state. The real estate unit 6700 can include a dock 6701 that does not
include the blackwater
tank 6194 (Figure 179) and the blackwater drain line 6226 (Figure 179) of the
real estate unit 6162
(Figure 179). Instead of these components, the real estate unit 6700 can
include a blackwater drain
line 6702 extending between (e.g., removably disposed between) the bathroom
6164 and an outdoor
sewage hookup 6704. The blackwater drain line 6702 can extend through the
exterior wall 6104c
from the bathroom 6164 toward the sewage hookup 6704. Furthermore, the
blackwater drain line
6702 can extend above-floor and then above-ground from the bathroom 6164
toward the sewage
hookup 6704. The sewage hookup 6704 can be a retrofitted access point to a
municipal, septic, or
other permanent sewage system serving the commercial building 6100. In at
least some cases, the
blackwater drain line 6702 connects to the sewage hookup 6704 via a quick-
connect coupling (not
shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the real estate unit 6700 (like the
real estate unit 6162
(Figure 179)) is configured to recycle greywater. In other embodiments, a
counterpart of the real
estate unit 6700 can be configured to dispose of greywater with blackwater via
the sewage hookup
6704. For example, a counterpart of the bathroom 6164 can be alternatively
configured so that a
counterpart of the greywater drain conduit 6636 (Figure 198) is combined with
a counterpart of the
blackwater drain conduit 6634 (Figure 198).
[00518] In another embodiment, a counterpart of the real estate unit 6162
(Figure 179) is
operably associated with components that reduce or eliminate the need for
frequent servicing and/or
connections to permanent utilities serving the commercial building 6100. For
example, the
counterpart of the real estate unit 6162 (Figure 179) can be operably
associated with a high-capacity
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sewage detention reservoir (not shown) disposed (e.g., removably disposed)
outside the interior
space 6138, a high-capacity cold water reservoir (not shown) disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed)
outside the interior space 6138, and/or a high-capacity generator (not shown)
disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed) outside the interior space 6138. The high-capacity sewage
detention reservoir
can be configured for occasional evacuation into a mobile tanker (e.g., a
septic system pump truck).
Similarly, the high-capacity cold water reservoir can be configured for
occasional replenishment
from a mobile tanker (e.g., a water supply truck). In these embodiments, with
reference to Figure
179, a counterpart of the dock 6188 can be without the blackwater tank 6194,
the water reservoir
6196, the greywater filter 6200, and/or the battery 6204.
[00519] Figure 201 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
6710 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
6140 within the
commercial building 6100 taken along the line L-L in Figure 176 with the
interior space 6140 in the
second state. The real estate unit 6700 can include a dock 6711 disposed
(e.g., removably disposed)
within the yard 6128. The real estate unit 6710 can include refrigerant lines
6712, an electrical line
6713, a blackwater drain line 6714, a cold water supply line 6715, a hot water
supply line 6716, and
a greywater drain line 6717 extending above-floor at least two meters within
the commercial
building 6100 from the bathroom 6164 toward the dock 6711.
[00520] Figure 202 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
6720 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
6140 within the
commercial building 6100 taken along the line L-L in Figure 176 with the
interior space 6140 in the
second state. As shown in Figure 202, the real estate unit 6720 can be without
a dock and can,
instead, be tethered to plumbing and electrical systems of the commercial
building 6100. The first
building bathroom 6110 can include a toilet hookup 6722 that is exposed when
the toilet 6142 of the
first building bathroom 6110 is removed. Similarly, the first building
bathroom 6110 can include
sink hookups (e.g., hot and cold; not shown) that are exposed when the sink
6144 of the first
building bathroom 6110 is disconnected. The toilet hookup 6722 and the sink
hookups can be
operably connected to the plumbing drain trunk line 6146 and the water supply
trunk line 6148,
respectively. The real estate unit 6720 can include the bathroom 6164, which
is operably connected
to the plumbing drain trunk line 6146 and the water supply trunk line 6148 via
the toilet hookup
6722 and the sink hookups, respectively. The real estate unit 6720 can further
include a heat pump
6726 and an exhaust filter 6728 similar to the heat pump 6190 and the exhaust
filter 6192 of the real
estate unit 6162.
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[00521] The real estate unit 6720 can further include a plumbing drain line
6730 through which
the bathroom 6164 is operably connected to the plumbing drain trunk line 6146.
The plumbing
drain line 6730 can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed) between the
bathroom 6164 and the
toilet hookup 6722. For example, the plumbing drain line 6730 can extend above-
floor at least two
meters within the commercial building 6100 from the bathroom 6164 toward the
toilet hookup
6722. Similarly, the real estate unit 6720 can include water supply lines 6732
(e.g., hot and cold)
through which the bathroom 6164 is operably connected to the water supply
trunk line 6148. The
water supply lines 6732 can be disposed (e.g., removably disposed) between the
bathroom 6164 and
the sink hookups. For example, the water supply lines 6732 can extend above-
floor at least two
meters within the commercial building 6100 from the bathroom 6164 toward the
sink hookups.
Also similarly, the real estate unit 6720 can include an electrical line 6734
through which the
bathroom 6164 and outlets (not shown) within the real estate unit 6720 are
operably connected to
the electrical panel 6154. The electrical line 6734 can be disposed (e.g.,
removably disposed)
between the bathroom 6164 and the electrical panel 6154. The interior doors
6116a, 6116b can be
propped open (as shown) or removed to allow passage of the plumbing drain line
6730, the water
supply lines 6732, and the electrical line 6734 between the bathroom 6164 and
the toilet hookup
6722, the sink hookups, and the electrical panel 6154, respectively. The real
estate unit 6720 can
further include a bridge 6736 disposed over a bundle of the plumbing drain
line 6730, the water
supply lines 6732, and the electrical line 6734. The bridge 6736 can be
reusable and removably
disposed within the commercial building 6100.
[00522] The real estate unit 6720 can further include a sewage detention
tank 6738 along the
plumbing drain line 6730. Similarly, the real estate unit 6720 can include a
water supply tank (not
shown) and a supplemental water heater (not shown) along the water supply
lines 6732. The
sewage detention tank 6738, the water supply tank, and the supplemental water
heater can be
reusable and disposed (e.g., removably disposed) within the commercial
building 6100. These
components can attenuate spikes in water demand and/or sewage flow from the
real estate unit
6720. In the illustrated embodiment, there is only one real estate unit 6720
within the commercial
building 6100. In other embodiments, there can be multiple counterparts of the
real estate unit 6720
within a counterpart of the commercial building 6100. In these other
embodiments, a plumbing
fixture load of a counterpart of the first building bathroom 6110 may still be
sufficient to service the
multiple counterparts of the real estate unit 6720 due, for example, to
increased capacity provided
by counterparts of the sewage detention tank 6738, the water supply tank, and
the supplemental
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water heater. In addition or alternatively, when there are two counterparts of
the real estate unit
6720 within a counterpart of the commercial building 6100, the two
counterparts of the real estate
unit 6720 can be separately tethered to the first and second building
bathrooms 6110, 6112,
respectively.
[00523] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 179 and 200-202, the real
estate units 6162,
6700, 6710, 6720 are configured at least primarily as lodging and/or
residential units. In other
embodiments, a counterpart of the real estate units 6162, 6700, 6710, 6720 can
have another
primary use. For example, the counterpart of the real estate units 6162, 6700,
6710, 6720 can be a
rentable office unit, a rentable assembly unit, and/or a rentable unit of
another type. Figure 203 is a
cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit 6750 in accordance with
another embodiment of
the present technology including the interior space 6140 within the commercial
building 6100 taken
along the line L-L in Figure 176 with the interior space 6140 in the second
state. The real estate
unit 6750 can be configured at least primarily as a rentable office unit. The
real estate unit 6750 can
include office furnishings, such as a workstation 6752 removably disposed
within the interior space
6140.
[00524] Figure 204 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit
6760 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present technology including the interior space
6140 within the
commercial building 6100 taken along the line L-L in Figure 176 with the
interior space 6140 in the
second state. The real estate unit 6760 can be configured at least primarily
as a rentable assembly
unit. For example, the real estate unit 6760 can be configured to accommodate
parties, classes, etc.
The real estate unit 6760 can include a dock 6762 that does not include the
trash bin 6206 (Figure
179), the recycling bin 6208 (Figure 179), and the laundry bin 6210 (Figure
179) of the real estate
unit 6162 (Figure 179), but is otherwise the same as or similar to the dock
6188 (Figure 179).
Figure 205 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a real estate unit 6770 in
accordance with another
embodiment of the present technology including the interior space 6140 within
the commercial
building 6100 taken along the line L-L in Figure 176 with the interior space
6140 in the second
state. The real estate unit 6770 can be configured at least primarily as a
combined lodging and
rentable office unit. For example, the real estate unit 6770 can include
partitions 6772 that close off
the bed 6276 during work hours.
[00525] Figure 206 is a block diagram illustrating a method 6900 for making
a given real estate
unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. For
simplicity, aspects of the
method 6900 will be further described primarily in the context of certain ones
of the real estate units
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6162, 6490, 6700, 6710, 6720, 6750, 6760, 6770 described herein. It should be
understood,
however, that the method 6900, when suitable, and/or portions of the method
6900, when suitable,
can be practiced with respect to other ones of the real estate units 6162,
6490, 6700, 6710, 6720,
6750, 6760, 6770 described herein as well as with respect to other real estate
units in accordance
with embodiments of the present technology.
[00526] With reference to Figures 179-206 together, the method 6900 can
include leasing the
interior space 6140 (block 6902) or establishing control of the interior space
6140 in another
manner. For example, the interior space 6140 can be leased from an owner of
the commercial
building 6100 for provision of lodging, residential space, office space,
assembly space, and/or
another type of space to third parties. In some cases, the interior space 6140
is leased or purchased
separately from other portions of the interior region 6108. In other cases,
the interior region 6108
can be leased or purchased as a whole. After control of the interior space
6140 is established, the
method 6900 can include retrofitting the interior space 6140 to accommodate an
alternative use
(e.g., a lodging use, a residential use, an office use, and/or an assembly
use). The commercial
building 6100 can be one that was originally constructed at least 20 years
before this retrofitting
occurs.
[00527] In at least some embodiments, the method 6900 includes at least
substantially
reversibly retrofitting the interior space 6140 to accommodate the alternative
use. In these and
other embodiments, it may be economically feasible to lease and retrofit the
interior space 6140
with little or no long-term commitment from an owner of the commercial
building 6100. This can
be due to the reusability of a significant amount of the capital associated
with retrofitting the
interior space 6140 and/or for other reasons. Accordingly, in some
embodiments, the interior space
6140 is leased month-to-month. In other embodiments, the interior space 6140
can be leased under
terms that allow the owner of the commercial building 6100 to terminate the
lease with notice of
less than one month. In still other embodiments, the interior space 6140 can
be controlled by an
operator of the real estate unit 6162 under other lease arrangements, under
non-lease contractual
arrangements (e.g., franchising), or under fee simple ownership. After direct
or indirect control
over the interior space 6140 is established, the method 6900 can include
subleasing (or leasing if the
commercial building 6100 is owned in fee simple) the interior space 6140 to a
renter. When the
interior space 6140 is leased separately from other portions of the commercial
building 6100, an
owner of the commercial building 6100 can occupy or otherwise use the other
portions of the
commercial building 6100 while the interior space 6140 is leased to third
parties. When the interior
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space 6140 is leased together with other portions of the commercial building
6100, an operator of
the real estate unit 6162 can separately lease the interior space 6140 as the
real estate unit 6162 and
some or all of the other portions of the commercial building 6100 as another
real estate unit.
[00528] The method 6900 can further include transporting modules (e.g., the
bathroom 6164,
the wall components 6187, and/or the dock 6188) to the commercial building
6100 (block 6904).
Some or all of the modules can be transported in a compact state. For example,
the bathroom 6164
can be transported in its disassembled state. As another example, the wall
components 6187 can be
transported in their disassembled states. Furthermore, the shells 6470 can be
transported in their
collapsed state. The method 6900 can further include receiving the modules at
the commercial
building 6100 (block 6906). For example, the bathroom 6164, the wall
components 6187, the dock
6188, and/or other suitable components of the real estate unit 6162 can be
received at the
commercial building 6100 in an at least substantially pre-manufactured state.
[00529] After the bathroom 6164 is received at the commercial building
6100, the method 6900
can include installing the bathroom 6164 (block 6908), such as by disposing
(e.g., removably
disposing) the bathroom 6164 within the commercial building 6100. In at least
some embodiments,
installing the bathroom 6164 includes assembling (e.g., at least substantially
reversibly assembling)
a set of reusable bathroom modules (e.g., the floor module 6500, the ceiling
module 6502, and the
wall modules 6504) to form an assembly of reusable bathroom modules. For
example, the method
6900 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the floor module 6500
at a suitable location
within the interior space 6140, and connecting (e.g., removably connecting)
the wall modules 6504
to the floor module 6500 at a perimeter portion of the floor module 6500. The
bathroom 6164 can
be disposed within the interior space 6140 such that the floor level of the
bathroom 6164 is at least
0.5 meter higher than the underlying floor level of the interior space 6140.
The method 6900 can
further include installing (e.g., removably installing) furnishings within the
interior space 6140
(block 6910). For example, when the commercial building 6100 is retrofitted
for lodging and/or
residential use at the interior space 6138, the method 6900 can include
disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) lodging and/or residential furnishings within the interior space
6140. As another
example, when the commercial building 6100 is retrofitted for office use at
the interior space 6140,
the method 6900 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) office
furnishings within the
interior space 6140.
[00530] The method 6900 can include installing the dock 6188 (block 6912).
For example, the
method 6900 can include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the dock 6188
outside the interior
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space 6140. In conjunction with installing the dock 6188 or separately, the
method 6900 can
include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the water reservoir 6196, the
battery 6204, the
blackwater tank 6194, and/or other suitable modules outside the interior space
6140. These
modules can be connected (e.g., removably connected) to the dock 6188 and/or
to other suitable
components of the real estate unit 6162. For example, the method 6900 can
include electrically
connecting the battery 6204 and the electrical outlet 6222. This can include
operating the electrical
quick-connect coupling 6254. As another example, the method 6900 can include
connecting (e.g.,
removably connecting) the water reservoir 6196 and the hose bibb 6160. In at
least some
embodiments, the commercial building 6100 is retrofitted for off-grid
operation with respect to an
electrical supply to the interior space 6140 and/or retrofitted for off-grid
operation with respect to
disposal of blackwater from the toilet 6168.
[00531] The method 6900 can further include tethering the bathroom 6164 to
the dock 6188,
the sewage hookup 6704, the plumbing drain trunk line 6146, and/or the water
supply trunk line
6148 (block 6914). For example, the method 6900 can include operably
connecting the bathroom
6164 (e.g., the sink 6166, the toilet 6168, and the bath/shower 6170) and the
water reservoir 6196
via the cold water supply line 6228. Alternatively or in addition, the method
6900 can include
operably connecting the bathroom 6724 (e.g., the sink 6166, the toilet 6168,
and the bath/shower
6170) and the water supply trunk line 6148 via the water supply lines 6732
(e.g., also via the sink
hookup). As another example, the method 6900 can include operably connecting
the bathroom
6164 (e.g., the toilet 6168) and the blackwater tank 6194 via the blackwater
drain line 6226.
Alternatively or in addition, the method 6900 can include operably connecting
the bathroom 6724
(e.g., the sink 6166, the toilet 6168, and the bath/shower 6170) and the
plumbing drain trunk line
6146 via the plumbing drain line 6730 (e.g., also via the toilet hookup 6722).
Furthermore, the
method 6900 can include operably connecting the bathroom 6164 (e.g., the
toilet 6168) and the
sewage hookup 6704 via the blackwater drain line 6702. As yet another example,
the method 6900
can include operably connecting the bathroom 6164 (e.g., the bath/shower drain
6580) and the
greywater filter 6200 via the greywater drain line 6232.
[00532] Operably connecting the bathroom 6164 and the blackwater tank 6194
can include
operating the blackwater drain quick-connect coupling 6252 to fluidically
connect the bathroom
6164 and the blackwater tank 6194. In addition or alternatively, operably
connecting the bathroom
6164 and the blackwater tank 6194 can include disposing (e.g., removably
disposing) the
blackwater drain line 6226 between the bathroom 6164 and the blackwater tank
6194. This can
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include extending the blackwater drain line 6226 above-floor between the
bathroom 6164 and the
blackwater tank 6194, such as disposing a first portion of the blackwater
drain line 6226 above-
floor within the commercial building 6100 and disposing a second portion of
the blackwater drain
line 6226 above-ground outside the commercial building 6100. Similarly,
operably connecting the
bathroom 6724 and the plumbing drain trunk line 6146 can include disposing
(e.g., removably
disposing) the plumbing drain line 6730 between the bathroom 6724 and the
toilet hookup 6722.
This can include extending the plumbing drain line 6730 above-floor within the
commercial
building 6100 between the bathroom 6724 and the toilet hookup 6722, such as
extending the
plumbing drain line 6730 above-floor at least two meters within the commercial
building 6100
between the bathroom 6724 and the toilet hookup 6722. Also similarly, operably
connecting the
bathroom 6164 and the sewage hookup 6704 can include disposing (e.g.,
removably disposing) the
blackwater drain line 6702 between the bathroom 6164 and the sewage hookup
6704. This can
include extending the blackwater drain line 6702 above-floor between the
bathroom 6164 and the
sewage hookup 6704, such as disposing a first portion of the blackwater drain
line 6702 above-floor
within the commercial building 6100 and disposing a second portion of the
blackwater drain line
6702 above-ground outside the commercial building 6100.
1005331 As
shown in Figure 206, the method 6900 can include installing the wall
components
6187 within the commercial building 6100 (block 6916). Installing the wall
components 6187 can
include disposing (e.g., removably disposing) the liner 6456 within the
commercial building 6100,
such as over the finished floor surface 6450. Disposing the liner 6456 can
include adhesively
disposing the liner 6456 or disposing the liner 6456 in another manner.
Installing the wall
components 6187 can further include forming the mass of self-leveling material
6458 over the liner
6456, such as integrally along most or all of an overall footprint of the wall
6448. After the mass of
self-leveling material 6458 is formed, installing the wall components 6187 can
include disposing
(e.g., removably disposing) the wall components 6187 over the mass of self-
leveling material 6458.
Disposing the wall components 6187 can include stacking and/or interlocking
the wall components
6187. This can be done, for example, while the shells 6470 are in an expanded
state. Installing the
wall components 6187 can further include assembling the wall components 6187,
such as by
removably disposing the batting 6460 within the shells 6470 while the shells
6470 are in the
expanded state. In at least some embodiments, the method 6900 further includes
disposing (e.g.,
removably disposing) the ceiling panels 6492, the ceiling beams 6493, and/or
other suitable ceiling
components within the commercial building 6100. For example, the ceiling
panels 6492 and the
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ceiling beams 6493 can be disposed such that the ceiling beams 6493 support
the ceiling panels
6492.
[00534] Figure 207 is a block diagram illustrating a method 6950 for
operating a given real
estate unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. As
with the method 6900,
aspects of the method 6950 will be further described primarily in the context
of certain ones of the
real estate units 6162, 6490, 6700, 6710, 6720, 6750, 6760, 6770 described
herein. It should be
understood, however, that the method 6950, when suitable, and/or portions of
the method 6950,
when suitable, can be practiced with respect to other ones of the real estate
units 6162, 6490, 6700,
6710, 6720, 6750, 6760, 6770 described herein as well as with respect to other
real estate units in
accordance with embodiments of the present technology.
[00535] With reference to Figures 179-207 together, the method 6950 can be
practiced in
connection with providing lodging, rentable residential space, rentable office
space, rentable
assembly space, and/or another type of space at the interior space 6140. The
method 6950 can
include leasing the interior space 6140 (block 6952) or maintaining control of
the interior space
6140 in another manner, such as one of the manners described above in
connection with
establishing control of the interior space 6140 in the method 6900. The method
6950 can further
include providing renter access to the interior space 6140 (block 6954), such
as through the
storefront 6124. In this way, the method 6950 can include providing renter
access to furnishings at
the interior space 6140 corresponding to the use type. For example, the method
6950 can include
providing renter access to lodging and/or residential furnishings (e.g., the
bed 6276) within the
interior space 6140 when the real estate unit 6162 is operated as a lodging
and/or residential unit.
As another example, the method 6950 can include providing renter access to
office furnishings
(e.g., the workstation 6752) within the interior space 6140 when the real
estate unit 6162 is operated
as an office unit. Providing renter access to the interior space 6140 can
occur by leasing the interior
space 6140 to the renter, subleasing the interior space 6140 to the renter,
providing renter access to
the interior space 6140 through a membership agreement, providing renter
access to the interior
space 6140 through a short-term use arrangement (e.g., a lodging arrangement),
and/or providing
renter access to the interior space 6140 in another manner. Similarly, the
method 6950 can include
providing renter access to the bathroom 6164 (block 6956).
[00536] The method 6950 can further include flowing sewage from the
bathroom 6164 (block
6958), such as toward the blackwater tank 6194, toward the sewage hookup 6704,
and/or toward the
plumbing drain trunk line 6146. For example, the method 6950 can include
flowing backwater
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above-floor and then above-ground from the toilet 6168 toward the blackwater
tank 6194 via the
blackwater drain line 6226. As another example, the method 6950 can include
flowing sewage
(e.g., blackwater) above-floor and then above-ground from the bathroom 6164
toward the sewage
hookup 6704 via the blackwater drain line 6702 or a combined
blackwater/greywater drain line. As
another example, the method 6950 can include flowing sewage (e.g., blackwater)
above-floor at
least two meters within the commercial building 6100 from the bathroom 6724
toward the plumbing
drain trunk line 6146 via the plumbing drain line 6730 and via the toilet
hookup 6722. As yet
another example, the method 6950 can include flowing greywater from the
bath/shower drain 6580
toward the greywater filter 6200 via the greywater drain line 6232. Using the
greywater or in
another manner, the method 6950 can include growing the vegetation 6184 in the
exterior wall
components 6182, such as in the planning medium 6306.
[00537] The method 6950 can also include swapping the blackwater tank 6194
with a less full
counterpart of the blackwater tank 6194 to remove sewage from the real estate
unit 6162 (block
6960). This can include operating the blackwater drain quick-connect coupling
6252 to disconnect
the blackwater tank 6194 from fluidic connection with the bathroom 6164 and
removing the
blackwater tank 6194 from the dock 6188. Swapping the blackwater tank 6194 can
be at least
partially in response to receiving an indication of a fullness of the
blackwater tank 6194 from the
sensor 6212a. The method 6950 can include weighing the blackwater tank 6194
and/or determining
a level of sewage within the blackwater tank 6194 to determine the fullness.
In addition to or
instead of swapping the blackwater tank 6194, the method 6950 can include
operating a mobile
pump to at least partially pump out the blackwater tank 6194 and thereby
remove sewage from the
real estate unit 6162. In at least some embodiments, the method 6950 includes
operating the real
estate unit 6162 at least substantially off-grid with respect to disposal of
blackwater from the toilet
6168.
[00538] The method 6950 can further include flowing water toward the
bathroom 6164 (block
6962). For example, the method 6950 can include flowing water from the water
reservoir 6196
toward the bathroom 6164 via the cold water supply line 6228. Furthermore, the
method 6950 can
include flowing water from the hose bibb 6160 toward the water reservoir 6196
to at least partially
replenish a water supply to the real estate unit 6162. In addition or
alternatively, the method 6950
can include flowing water from the water supply trunk line 6148 toward the
bathroom 6724, such as
via the water supply lines 6732 and via the sink hookup. The method 6950 can
also include
operating the heating system 6497 to heat the airspace 6496 and thereby
provide below-room-
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temperature baseline heating to the interior space 6138 via the ceiling 6495.
The method 6950 can
further include operating the supplemental heater 6498 to provide supplemental
heating to the
interior space 6140.
[00539] The method 6950 can include providing electricity to the interior
space 6140 (block
6964). For example, the method 6950 can include using the battery 6204 to
power an appliance
within the interior space 6140 via the electrical outlet 6222. The method 6950
can further include
swapping the battery 6204 with a less depleted counterpart of the battery 6204
to at least partially
replenish an electrical supply to the real estate unit 6162 (block 6966). This
can include operating
the electrical quick-connect coupling 6254 to disconnect the battery 6204 from
electrical connection
with the electrical outlet 6222 and removing the battery 6204 from the dock
6188. Swapping the
battery 6204 can be at least partially in response to receiving an indication
of a depleted state of the
battery 6204 from the sensor 6212c. In addition to or instead of swapping the
battery 6204, the
method 6950 can include operating a mobile recharging station to at least
partially recharge the
battery 6204 and thereby at least partially replenish an electrical supply to
the real estate unit 6162.
In at least some embodiments, the method 6950 includes operating the real
estate unit 6162 at least
substantially off-grid with respect to an overall electrical supply to the
interior space 6140.
Furthermore, the method 6950 can include decommissioning the real estate unit
6162 after a period
of operating the real estate unit 6162. Decommissioning the real estate unit
6162 can include
suitable operations of the method 6900 in reverse. For example,
decommissioning the real estate
unit 6162 can include disassembling the wall 6448 and collapsing the shells
6408.
[00540] This disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
present technology to
the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specific embodiments are
disclosed herein for
illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible without
deviating from the
present technology, as those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will
recognize. In some cases, well-
known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to
avoid unnecessarily
obscuring the description of the embodiments of the present technology.
Although steps of methods
may be presented herein in a particular order, in alternative embodiments the
steps may have
another suitable order. Similarly, certain aspects of the present technology
disclosed in the context
of particular embodiments can be combined or eliminated in other embodiments.
Furthermore,
while advantages associated with certain embodiments may have been disclosed
in the context of
those embodiments, other embodiments can also exhibit such advantages, and not
all embodiments
need necessarily exhibit such advantages or other advantages disclosed herein
to fall within the
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scope of the present technology. Accordingly, this disclosure and associated
technology can
encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.
[00541] Certain aspects of the present technology may take the form of
computer-executable
instructions, including routines executed by a controller or other data
processor. In at least some
embodiments, a controller or other data processor is specifically programmed,
configured, and/or
constructed to perform at least one of these computer-executable instructions.
Furthermore, some
aspects of the present technology may take the form of data (e.g., non-
transitory data) stored or
distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetic or optically
readable and/or removable
computer discs as well as media distributed electronically over networks.
Accordingly, data
structures and transmissions of data particular to aspects of the present
technology are encompassed
within the scope of the present technology. The present technology also
encompasses methods of
both programming computer-readable media to perform particular steps and
executing the steps.
[00542] Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms "a," "an," and "the"
include plural
referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, unless
the word "or" is expressly
limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference
to a list of two or
more items, then the use of "or" in such a list is to be interpreted as
including (a) any single item in
the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the
items in the list. Additionally,
the terms "comprising" and the like are used throughout this disclosure to
mean including at least
the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature(s)
and/or one or more
additional types of features are not precluded. Directional terms, such as
"upper," "lower," "front,"
"back," "vertical," and "horizontal," may be used herein to express and
clarify the relationship
between various structures. It should be understood that such terms do not
denote absolute
orientation. Furthermore, reference herein to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," or similar
phrases means that a particular feature, structure, operation, or
characteristic described in
connection with such phrases can be included in at least one embodiment of the
present technology.
Thus, the appearances of such phrases herein are not necessarily all referring
to the same
embodiment. Finally, it should be noted that various particular features,
structures, operations, and
characteristics of the embodiments described herein may be combined in any
suitable manner in
additional embodiments in accordance with the present technology.
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