Methods and apparatus for a multi-story dwelling with attached garages

Abstract

A high-efficiency residential structure includes a set of dwelling units, wherein a portion of said dwelling units are first-floor dwelling units and a portion of said dwelling units are second-floor dwelling units; a set of garages comprising a plurality of parking spaces, wherein said dwelling units and said garages are disposed within a footprint associated with said residential structure; a set of interior passageways, each of said interior passageways directly linking one of said dwelling units to one of said garages such that the site-density, yield, direct-access ratio, and efficiency of the structure is substantially optimized.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 721,258, filed Nov. 22, 2000.[0002] 1. Technical Field[0003] The present invention relates, generally, to dwelling structures and, more particularly, multi-story dwellings (e.g., apartment buildings and the like) incorporating a cost effective, efficient, and high unit-density attached garage configuration.[0004] 2. Background Information[0005] The price of vacant land in dense, urbanized areas has increased dramatically in recent years. As a result, the cost of developing land in central core areas has proven to be a significant barrier to entry for most developers, particularly where multi-family residential developments are concerned.[0006] In order to overcome the high cost of land in such areas, virtually all projects built in major metropolitan areas during this decade have resorted to various undesirable and expensive methods. Such methods include, for example, high-density housing projects deve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Accordingly, structures in accordance with various aspects of the present invention provide for: 1) higher overall site densities, reducing the cost of land and other fixed development operating costs on a per-unit basis; 2) enhanced resident convenience, safety, and security; 3) higher net livable building square-footage per acre of land; 4) increased unit-mix with more two and three-bedroom units; 5) uncommonly compact building footprint offering excellent site design flexibility, creating an opportunity to develop small, irregular and / or otherwise undevelopable parcels of land; 6) lower construction costs than projects with a centralized concrete parking structure and / or projects requiring elevators or non-combustible construction; 7) enhanced compatibility with adjacent single-family neighborhoods, hence greater political and municipal agency acceptance for land use and zoning purposes; 8) potentially higher long-term property values; and 9) excellent condominium-conversion potential.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the cost of developing land in central core areas has proven to be a significant barrier to entry for most developers, particularly where multi-family residential developments are concerned.

In order to overcome the high cost of land in such areas, virtually all projects built in major metropolitan areas during this decade have resorted to various undesirable and expensive methods.

The latter solution is substantially more expensive and generally results in a less desirable, and therefore less marketable, end product.

While residential structures with integral, private garages are known, such structures are undesirable in a number of respects.

For example, such systems require more buildings and / or a larger building footprints to achieve the same number of units, yielding a lower overall site density, and increasing the cost of land and other fixed development costs on a per unit basis.

In addition, known structures tend to sacrifice dwelling-access from private garages to many or all of the units.

Such structures may also include a large number of stories, increasing its height, and requiring an elevator and / or expensive non-combustible construction.

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