A building system

Abstract

Traditional mobile homes require a relatively large land area to accommodate a relatively small number of people and are therefore unsuitable for use in densely populated urban areas. The present inve

Description

The present invention relates generally to a building system and a method of using said building system and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in providing mobile accommodation in urban areas. Mobile homes (e.g. park homes, static caravans) are prefabricated structures, built on integrated chassis without any fixed foundations. They represent a more affordable alternative to conventional homes, and are capable of being moved, making relocation easier. However, a relatively large land area is required to accommodate a relatively small number of people in mobile homes. This makes them unsuitable for use in densely populated areas, such as in towns and cities, and consequently, mobile homes are limited to uses where a rural setting is desirable, such as for holiday lets and retirement apartments. With an ever-increasing proportion of the world’s population living in urban areas, there is a need for homes that offer the same affordability and mobility as mobile homes, but are also suitable for use in urban environments. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a building system comprising a room unit and a permanent weathertight structure built over foundations, the structure comprising a first opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough; a first barrier configured to be moveable between a first operational state, in which the first barrier covers the first opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; and a second operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the first opening; a first securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the first opening; a second opening spaced from the first opening, the second opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough; a second barrier configured to be moveable between a third operational state, in which the second barrier covers the second opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; and a fourth operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the second opening; and a second securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the second opening. In this way, land usage per household can be reduced by bringing room units closer together in a more compact arrangement (e.g. like terrace houses, rather than detached houses) than would be achievable with mobile homes, which require around-unit access for maintenance due to weathering. The room unit may comprise a prefabricated room or suite of rooms requiring no on-site assembly. The or each room may be configured for a dedicated purpose (for example as a bedroom, a bathroom, a living room etc.) or, alternatively, may be reconfigurable for different purposes. The room unit may be substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from above (i.e. in plan view). However, other shapes are contemplated. Such as an L-shape or a rectangle with one or more of the corners cut off. The room unit may be described as having a length, a width and a height. The length may be between 2m and 15m, for example between 4.5m and 12.5m, more particularly between 6m and 10m. The width may be between 2m and 12.5m, for example between 2m and 10m, more particularly between 2m and 7.5m. The length may be greater than the width or the width may be greater than the length. The height may be between 2m and 3m, for example between 2.2m and 2.8m, more particularly between 2.4m and 2.6m. The room unit may have a cross section taken in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the length is measured that remains a constant shape and size along the length of the room unit. That is, the room unit may be prism shaped. The cross section may be substantially rectangular in shape such that the room unit is substantially cuboid shaped. However, other cross-sectional shapes are contemplated. An exterior surface of the room unit may comprise a non-weatherproof region. In this way, the room unit can be of relatively lightweight construction, thereby making it easier to transport, lift and / or manoeuvre the room unit. The non-weatherproof region may comprise a room unit floor or a part thereof; a room unit wall or a part thereof; and / or a room unit ceiling or a part thereof. The percentage of the total exterior surface area of the room unit covered by the nonweatherproof region may be at least 50%; for example, at least 75%; more particularly, at least 90%. The non-weatherproof region may be constructed from a material or materials that are unable to withstand the effects of rain, wind, snow, sun and / or other weather phenomena without suffering damage, deformation, structural degradation and / or cosmetic degradation. For example, the non-weatherproof region may be constructed from a water absorbent material such as drywall, untreated timber, fibreboard and / or other similar manufactured board. Alternatively, or additionally, the non-weatherproof region may be constructed from a friable material (e.g. open or closed cell foam), a material with a low impact resistance or toughness and / or a material with low corrosion resistance (e.g. corrugated iron). In some examples, the non-weatherproof region may comprise a layer of an insulation material (e.g. fibreglass, mineral wool, foam etc.) on an outside surface. The room unit may comprise wheels, skis, skids and / or glides on an underside thereof in order to enable easy manoeuvring of the room unit within the weathertight structure. The wheels may be configured to be mounted on tracks or may be fitted with tyres to enable movement over planar surfaces. The wheels, skis, skids and / or glides may be retractable. The weathertight structure may be a structure that comprises an external envelope enclosing an interior region therein, such that the external envelope is capable of preventing the ingress of water into the interior region, and of limiting the movement of air in and out of the interior region. The external envelope being capable of limiting the movement of air in and out of the interior region may mean that the external envelope is capable of having an air permeability of less than 8 cubic meters per hour per square meter across a pressure differential of 50Pa. The external envelope may comprise an external wall, a roof, a floor, any external doors, windows or other moveable barriers between the exterior of structure and the interior region. In particular, the external envelope may comprise the first and second barriers. The weathertight structure being permanent may mean that the w’eathertight structure is neither moveable nor configured to be disassembled and reassembled. However, it is to be understood that the weathertight structure may occasionally be added to or extended; undergo structural and / or non-structural alterations; undergo renovation or restoration work; and / or have parts removed therefrom. It is to be appreciated that the weathertight structure may comprise all or part of a pre-existing structure that has been modified for use in the building system (e.g. by retrofitting of the first and second openings, the first and second barriers and / or the first and second securing means). The first and / or second opening may comprise a gap in the external envelope of the weathertight structure. The first and second openings being configured to admit a room unit therethrough may mean that the first and second openings each have dimensions that are sufficiently large for a room unit to be passed through the opening. In particular the first and second openings may each have a width that is greater than a maximum width of the room unit, and may each have a height that is greater than a maximum height of the room unit, in order that the room unit can be passed through the opening without needing to be rotated. Additionally, the first and second openings being configured to admit a room unit therethrough may mean that the first and second openings have dimensions that are only slightly greater than those of the room unit. For example, the first and / or second opening may have a width that is at most 20% greater than a maximum width of the room unit. In particular, the width of the first and / or second opening may be at most 15% greater than a maximum width of the room unit; more particularly, the width of the first and / or second opening may be at most 10% greater than a maximum width of the room unit. Similarly, the first and / or second opening may have a height that is at most 20% greater than a maximum height of the room unit. In particular, the height of the first and / or second opening may be at most 15% greater than a maximum height of the room unit; more particularly, the height of the first and / or second opening may be at most 10% greater than a maximum height of the room unit. The first and / or second opening may have a shape that is substantially the same shape as a cross section of the room unit. For example, if the room unit has a rectangular cross section, the first and / or second opening may be substantially rectangular in shape. However, it is contemplated that the shape of the first and / or second opening may differ from the shape of a cross section of the room unit. For example, the first and / or second opening may comprise an arched upper edge while the room unit has a rectangular cross section. The first and second openings may both have the same shape and dimensions. Alternatively, the second opening may have a shape that is different to the shape of the first opening and / or dimensions that are different to those of the first opening. The second opening being spaced from the first opening may mean that the second opening is horizontally spaced from the first opening and / or vertically spaced from the first opening. The second opening being horizontally spaced from the first opening may mean that a left hand edge of the second opening is located to the right of a right hand edge of the first opening, or a right hand edge of the second opening is located to the left of a left hand edge of the first opening. The horizontal spacing between the first and second openings (i.e. the distance between a right hand edge of the first opening and a left hand edge of the second opening, or between a left hand edge of the first opening and a right hand edge of the second opening) may be at most 50cm, at most 40cm, at most 30cm, at most 20cm or at most 10cm. Similarly, the second opening being vertically spaced from the first opening may mean that a bottom edge of the second opening is at a greater height than a top edge of the first opening, or a top edge of the second opening is at a lower height than a bottom edge of the first opening. The second opening may be above the first opening. In this way, a room unit secured adjacent the second opening can effectively be “stacked” on top of a room unit secured adjacent the first opening, such that multiple room units can be accommodated within a building having the footprint of only a single room unit. That is, the building system may be a multi-storey building system. The second opening being above the first opening may mean that the second opening is directly above (i.e. vertically spaced from, but not horizontally spaced from) the first opening. Alternatively, the second opening may be both vertically spaced from the first opening and horizontally offset therefrom. A horizontal offset may comprise a displacement in any direction perpendicular to a vertical axis, and may include an offset in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wall of the weathertight structure in which the first opening is formed. The size of the horizontal offset may be substantially less than the vertical distance between the bottom edge of the first opening and the bottom edge of the second opening. For instance, the size of the horizontal offset may be less than half the vertical distance between the bottom edge of the first opening and the bottom edge of the second opening. The first and / or second barrier may comprise moveable wall portions, doors and / or windows. The first barrier may comprise multiple barrier portions. For example, the first barrier may comprise a first barrier portion configured to cover a first part of the first opening when the first barrier is in the first operational state, and a second barrier portion configured to cover a second part of the first opening and form a weathertight seal with the first barrier portion when the first barrier is in the first operational state. A barrier being configured to be moveable between a first operational state and a second operational state may mean that the barrier is configured to repeatably and reliably be moved into the first operational state without need for careful alignment each time it is moved into the first operational state, and that it is equally capable of being repeatably and reliably be moved into the second operational state without need for careful alignment each time it is moved into the second operational state. Movement of the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state may involve rotation, sliding or folding of the first barrier, or any combination thereof. In one example, the first barrier may be hinged along one edge and may move between the first operational state and the second operational state by rotating about the hinged edge. Where the first barrier comprises multiple barrier portions, each barrier portion may be individually hinged along a respective edge and the movement of the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state may comprise the simultaneous or sequential rotation of each barrier portion about its respective hinged edge. Alternatively, or additionally, the first barrier, or a portion thereof, may be configured to slide horizontally or vertically (e.g. on tracks, between guides etc.) and movement of the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state may comprise the sliding of the first barrier, or a portion thereof. Alternatively, or additionally, the first barrier, or a portion thereof, may be constructed in segments configured to be foldable relative to each other such that movement of the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state may comprise the folding of the first barrier, or portion thereof, for example into a concertina arrangement or around the outside of the weathertight structure. In one particular example, the first barrier, or a portion thereof, may comprise a bifold door. The second barrier may be configured in the same way as the first barrier. Alternatively, the second barrier may be configured in a different way selected from the same options as discussed above with respect to the first barrier, wherein references to the first and second operational states may be taken to apply mutatis mutandis to the third and fourth operational states respectively. The first securing means may comprise one or more of a first supporting means configured to receive the room unit thereon and prevent its vertical movement under the influence of gravity after it has been passed through the first opening; a first guiding means configured to guide the room unit into position as it is passed through the first opening; and a first clamping means configured to prevent any horizontal movement of the room unit once it has reached its intended position adjacent the first opening. Similarly, the second securing means may comprise one or more of a second supporting means configured to receive the room unit thereon and prevent its vertical movement under the influence of gravity after it has been passed through the second opening; a second guiding means configured to guide the room unit into position as it is passed through the second opening; and a second clamping means configured to prevent any horizontal movement of the room unit once it has reached its intended position adjacent the second opening. The first supporting means may simply be a floor, or may be a platform raised above or a recess sunk into a floor. In some examples, the first supporting means may have an adjustable height to compensate for possible variations in the depth of a room unit floor (e.g. to ensure that the bottom of a room unit door is properly aligned with a floor in the weathertight structure). In some examples, the first supporting means may also be the first guiding means. For example, the first supporting / guiding means may comprise a track or rail on which the room unit can be mounted and guided into position. Alternatively, or additionally, the first guiding means may comprise on or more guides configured to abut an external surface of a room unit wall or room unit ceiling and thereby prevent unwanted lateral or vertical movement of the room unit as it is passed through the first opening. However, in some examples, the first securing means may not comprise a first guiding means at all. This may be the case, for example, where the first opening is only very slightly larger than the cross section of the room unit such that the edges of the first opening effectively guide the room unit through the opening, or where a certain amount of variation is possible in the positioning of the room unit adjacent the first opening. Where the room unit is guided (e.g. by guides or by being mounted on a track or rail) so that it is only capable of moving on a fixed path in and out of the first opening, the first clamping means may simply comprise the first barrier and a retaining wall or other barrier within the weathertight structure, such that when the first barrier is moved into the first operational state, the room unit is clamped in position between the first barrier and the retaining wall / barrier. The retaining wall / barrier may be moveable in a direction towards or away from the first barrier in order to allow for clamping of room units of different lengths. Alternatively, or additionally, where the room unit moves on wheels and / or glides, the first clamping means may comprise chocks, wedges and / or jacks to prevent movement of the wheels and / or prevent contact between the wheels and / or glides and any surface over which they could move. However, in some examples, the first securing means may not comprise a separate first clamping means. For example, where the first supporting means comprises a recess sunk into a floor and the recess has the exact same dimensions as the room unit, the recess may serve as the clamping means as it will prevent horizontal as well as vertical movement of the room unit. The foregoing descriptions of the first supporting means, the first guiding means and the first clamping means also apply to the second supporting means, the second guiding means and the second clamping means respectively, with references to the first opening replaced by references to the second opening. However, it is to be understood that the first supporting means may differ from the second supporting means; that the first guiding means may differ from the second guiding means; that the first clamping means may differ from the second clamping means; and / or that one or more of these parts is only present in either the first or the second securing means and not in the other. The room unit may be open on at least one side, and the at least one open side may be arranged so that it is covered by a part of the weathertight structure when the room unit is located in the fixed position adjacent the first opening and the first barrier is in the first operational state, or when the room unit is located in the fixed position adjacent the second opening and the second barrier is in the third operational state. In this way, the weight of the room unit can be reduced, thereby making it easier to transport, lift and / or manoeuvre the room unit. Additionally, the need to carefully align any room unit doors and / or windows on the open side with corresponding doors and / or windows in the weathertight structure can be avoided. The room unit being open on at least one side may mean that at least one wall of room unit is entirely or partially missing. For example, a cuboid shaped room unit may comprise a room unit shell, the room unit shell comprising a room unit floor, a room unit ceiling and room unit walls on three out of the four sides, but not on the fourth side. Alternatively, the room unit shell may comprise a partial room unit wall on the fourth side, the partial room unit wall covering only a first part of die fourth side and leaving a second part of the fourth side uncovered. Alternatively, or additionally, the room unit being open on at least one side may mean diat the room unit comprises at least one room unit wall comprising a room unit door and / or room unit window(s) wherein the room unit door is just a doorway and / or wherein the room unit window(s) are not glazed (i.e. are just gaps in the room unit wall). The open side being covered by a part of the weathertight structure may mean that any hole in the room unit shell formed by a missing or partially missing wall, doorway or unglazed windows is entirely covered by the part of the weathertight structure, and that the part of the weathertight structure makes continuous contact with the room unit shell around the perimeter of the hole. The part of the weathertight structure may be a part of the external envelope, including the first and / or second barrier, or may be an internal wall or other structural element within the weathertight structure. The weathertight structure may comprise means for providing one or more of mains electricity, gas, water, sewerage services and connectivity to a wired telecommunications network to a room unit located at the fixed location adjacent the first opening or the fixed location adjacent the second opening, and the room unit may comprise means for connecting to the provided mains electricity, gas, water, sewerage services and / or wired telecommunications network. In this way, the space within the room unit can be better utilised as there is no need for a generator, storage space for bottled gas, large potable water tank, septic tank, etc. In a particularly simple example, a means for providing mains electricity or connectivity to a wired telecommunications network may comprise a socket and a means for connecting to the supplied electricity may comprise a cable terminating at a plug configured to engage with the socket. Similarly, a means for providing mains gas or water may comprise a valve and a fitting on a supply pipe in the weathertight structure and a means for connecting to the supplied gas or water may comprise a hose terminating in a fitting configured to mate with the fitting on the supply pipe. However, any means for connecting electricity, gas, water and / or wired telecommunications networks known in the art are contemplated. The means to connect to provided mains electricity, gas, water and / or sewerage services and / or wired telecommunications network may comprise means for conveying electricity, gas, water, sewage and / or telecommunications signals between a connection point and one or more outlets within the room unit. For example, such means may comprise wires, pipes and / or hoses. The building system may further comprise a first enclosed space behind the first opening into which the room unit may be inserted and / or a second enclosed space behind the second opening into which the room unit may be inserted. In this way, the room unit can benefit from improved privacy, audio insulation and / or thermal insulation from the rest of the weathertight structure. The first and / or second enclosed space may comprise a door configured to align with a door in the room unit, when the room unit is inserted thereinto. In this way, movement between the room unit and other enclosed spaces within the weathertight structure may be facilitated. It is to be appreciated that the building system is not limited to comprising only a single room unit and a weathertight structure having two openings. For example, the weathertight structure may comprise more than two openings and, for each additional opening, may further comprise and additional barrier and an additional securing means. Similarly, the building system may comprise more than one room unit. In particular, the number of room units in the building system may be between one and the number of openings in the weathertight structure. The building system may further comprise an additional weathertight structure, geographically spaced from the weathertight structure, the additional weathertight structure comprising a third opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough; a third barrier configured to be moveable between a fifth operational state, in which the third barrier covers the third opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; and a sixth operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the third opening; a third securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the third opening; a fourth opening spaced from the third opening, the fourth opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough; a fourth barrier configured to be moveable between a seventh operational state, in which the fourth barrier covers the fourth opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; and an eighth operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the fourth opening; and a fourth securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the fourth opening. In this way, the room unit can be inserted into either one of the weathertight structure and the additional weathertight structure and subsequently removed, transported to the other one of the weathertight structure and the additional weathertight structure and inserted thereinto. Consequently, greater mobility can be achieved with a single room unit. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a permanent weathertight structure for use in the building system of the first aspect, the structure being built over permanent foundations and comprising a first opening configured to admit a room unit therethrough; a first barrier configured to be moveable between a first operational state, in which the first barrier covers the first opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; and a second operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the first opening; a first securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the first opening; a second opening spaced from the first opening, the second opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough; a second barrier configured to be moveable between a third operational state, in which the second barrier covers the second opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; and a fourth operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the second opening; and a second securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the second opening. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a room unit for use in the building system of the first aspect. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of using the building system of the first aspect, the method comprising the steps of inserting the room unit into the weathertight structure by moving the first barrier between the first operational state and die second operational state; admitting the room unit into the weathertight structure through the first opening; and moving the first barrier between the second operational state and the first operational state; and subsequently removing the room unit from the weathertight structure by moving the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state; removing the room unit from the weathertight structure through the first opening; and moving the first barrier between the second operational state and the first operational state. It is to be appreciated that the step of subsequently removing the room unit from the weathertight structure may take place at any time after the step of inserting the room unit into the weathertight structure. For example, the step of subsequently removing the room unit from the weathertight structure may take place several weeks, months or, even, years after the step of inserting the room unit into the weathertight structure. In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of using the building system of the first aspect comprising an additional weathertight structure, geographically spaced from the weathertight structure, the method comprising the steps of moving the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state; removing the room unit from the weathertight structure through the first opening; moving the room unit to a geographically spaced location; moving the third barrier between the fifth operational state and the sixth operational state; and admitting the room unit into the additional weathertight structure through the third opening. The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example room unit. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example weathertight structure comprising a first moveable barrier and a second moveable barrier. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the weathertight structure of Figure 2 with the fist barrier in the second operational state. Figure 4 is view of the weathertight structure as depicted in Figure 3, with the room unit being inserted thereinto. The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention. Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. Likewise, method steps described or claimed in a particular sequence may be understood to operate in a different sequence. Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein. It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “connected”, used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device A connected to a device B” should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. For instance, wireless connectivity is contemplated. Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of die present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any one embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other particular feature, structure or characteristic of another embodiment or aspect of the invention, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of die various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value. The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term “any” may mean “all” and / or “each” in certain circumstances. The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example room unit 2. The room unit 2 is mounted on wheels. A first set of wheels 21 are visible on the near side of the room unit 2, and a second set of wheels (not visible in Figure 1) are present on the far side of the room unit 2. Unlike conventional mobile homes, the floor, walls and ceiling of the room unit 2 are of thin and lightweight construction and do not form a complete weathertight shell. For example, one wall is entirely missing, leaving the room unit with an open end 22. A room unit doorway 23 and a room unit window 24 are both visible on the near side of the room unit 2. The room unit doorway 23 may comprise only a doorway (i.e. with no door in it) or may comprise a doorway with a door in it. Similarly, the room unit window may just be a hole with no glazing in it, or may comprise a glazed window. The room unit doorway 23 and / or the room unit window 24 may be configured to align with a door in a wall of a weathertight structure and / or a window in a wall of the weathertight structure respectively when the room unit 2 is inserted into the weathertight structure. It is to be appreciated that there may be another doorway and / or window hole on the far side of the room unit 2 and / or on the end opposite the open end 22. This will enable the room unit 2 to be inserted into a weathertight structure in different positions while still having a room unit doorway and / or room unit window that aligns with a respective door and / or window in the weathertight structure. A connection point 25 for utilities is shown on the side of room unit 2. When the room unit 2 is inserted into a weathertight structure, the room unit 2 may be connected to mains gas, electricity and / or water supplies, sewerage services, wired Co -7 J 1 JL JL CO ' telecommunications networks, and / or any other similar services installed in the weathertight structure via connection point 25. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example weathertight structure 1 comprising a first moveable barrier 11 and a second moveable barrier 12. A first opening (not visible) is covered by the first barrier 11 and a second opening (not visible) is covered by the second barrier 12. That is, the first barrier 11 is depicted in the first operational state and the second barrier 12 is depicted in the third operational state. The first barrier 11 is shown comprising four panels 111, 112, 113 and 114. However, it is to be understood that in alternative embodiments, the first barrier may comprise a different number of panels, or may be a single panel. The first barrier 11 and second barrier are shown as being recessed within the weathertight structure 1 such that a first balcony 13 is formed in front of the first barrier 11 and a second balcony 14 is formed in front of the second barrier 12. However, it is to be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the first barrier and / or the second barrier may not be recessed within the weathertight structure, and no balcony may be present in front of the first and / or second barrier. The weathertight structure 1 may comprise additional openings covered by additional moveable barriers. For example, one or more of the regions 19 may comprise moveable barriers covering additional openings in the weathertight structure 1. Alternatively, the weathertight structure 1 may comprise one or more additional openings covered by moveable barriers in either or both of the sides not visible in the view shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the weathertight structure 1 with the fist barrier 11 in the second operational state, exposing the first opening 15. In the arrangement depicted, the panels 111 and 112 of the first barrier 11 are hinged along their common edge to form a first bifold door and panels 113 and 114 are hinged along their common edge to form a second bifold door, opening in the opposite direction to the first bifold door. However, other arrangements are contemplated. The first balcony 13 comprises a first balcony rail 131 that folds down so that a room unit can be passed through the first opening 15. The second barrier 12 may “open” in the same way as the first barrier 11 or in a different way. For example, the second barrier 12 may be hinged along its top edge and the entire barrier may pivot about this hinged edge as a single piece. A pair of rails 16 are visible through the first opening 15, leading from the first opening 15 into the interior of the weathertight structure 1. Figure 4 is view of the weathertight structure 1 as depicted in Figure 3, with the room unit 2 being inserted thereinto through the first opening 15. The wheels 21 of the room unit 2 are configured to engage with the rails 16 (only one of the rails is visible in Figure 4) to facilitate easy insertion of the room unit 2 into the weathertight structure 1. Once the room unit 2 has been fully inserted into the weathertight structure 1 (i.e. the entirety of room unit 2 has passed through the first opening 15), the first barrier 11 can return to the first operational state so that it covers the open end 22 of the room unit 2 and effectively takes the place of the missing wall. Additionally, once the room unit 2 has been fully inserted into the weathertight structure 1, the room unit window 24 will align with the window 17 of the weathertight structure 1. In this particular location within the weathertight structure 1, the room unit doorway 23 will not align with a door in a wall of the weathertight structure. However, as mentioned above, the room unit 2 may have other doorways in one or more of its other side walls and at least one of these may align with a door in an interior wall of the weathertight structure 1 (not visible). An interior wall of the weathertight structure 1 or a buffer or some other retaining member may be present in the weathertight structure 1 to prevent the room unit 2 from being able to move too far into the weathertight structure 1. With the first barrier 11m the first operational state, said interior wall, buffer or other retaining member may, in combination with the first barrier 11, securely clamp the room unit 2 in place and prevent it from moving on rails 16. It is clear that the room unit 2 could be inserted into the weathertight structure 1 in a similar way through the second opening when the second barrier 12 is in the fourth operational state (not shown). When inserted through the second opening, the room unit window 24 will align with window 18 of the weathertight structure 1.

Claims

1. A building system comprising:a room unit; anda permanent weathertight structure built over foundations, the structure comprising:a first opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough;a first barrier configured to be moveable between:a first operational state, in which the first barrier covers the first opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; anda second operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the first opening;a first securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the first opening;a second opening spaced from the first opening, the second opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough;a second barrier configured to be moveable between:a third operational state, in which the second barrier covers the second opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; anda fourth operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the second opening; anda second securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the second opening.

2. The building system of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the room unit comprises a nomweatherproof region.

3. The building system of any claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second opening is above the first opening.

4. The building system of any preceding claim, wherein the room unit is open on at least one side, and wherein the at least one open side is arranged so that it iscovered by a part of the weathertight structure when the room unit is located in the fixed position adjacent the first opening and the first barrier is in the first operational state, or when the room unit is located in the fixed position adjacent the second opening and the second barrier is in the third operational state.

5. The building system of any preceding claim, wherein the weathertight structure comprises means for providing one or more of mains electricity, gas, water, sewerage services and connectivity to a wired telecommunications network to a room unit located at the fixed location adjacent the first opening or the fixed location adjacent the second opening, and the room unit comprises means for connecting to the provided mains electricity, gas, water, sewerage services and / or wired telecommunications network.

6. The building system of any preceding claim, further comprising a first enclosed space behind the first opening into which the room unit may be inserted and / or a second enclosed space behind the second opening into which the room unit may be inserted.

7. The building system of claim 6, wherein the first and / or second enclosed space comprises a door configured to align with a door in the room unit, when the room unit is inserted thereinto.

8. The building system of any preceding claim, further comprising an additional weathertight structure, geographically spaced from the weathertight structure, the additional weathertight structure comprising:a third opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough;a third barrier configured to be moveable between:a fifth operational state, in which the third barrier covers the third opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; anda sixth operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the third opening;a third securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the third opening;a fourth opening spaced from the third opening, the fourth opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough;a fourth barrier configured to be moveable between:a seventh operational state, in which the fourth barrier covers the fourth opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; andan eighth operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the fourth opening;and a fourth securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the fourth opening.

9. A permanent weathertight structure for use in the building system of claims 1 to8, the structure being built over permanent foundations and comprising:a first opening configured to admit a room unit therethrough;a first barrier configured to be moveable between:a first operational state, in which the first barrier covers the first opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; anda second operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the first opening;a first securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the first opening;a second opening spaced from the first opening, the second opening configured to admit the room unit therethrough;a second barrier configured to be moveable between:a third operational state, in which the second barrier covers the second opening entirely and forms a weathertight seal around a perimeter thereof; anda fourth operational state, in which the room unit can be passed through the second opening;and a second securing means configured to releasably secure the room unit in a fixed position adjacent the second opening.

10. A room unit for use in the building system of claims 1 to 8.

11. A method of using the building system of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the steps of:inserting the room unit into the weathertight structure by:moving the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state;admitting the room unit into the weathertight structure through the first opening; andmoving the first barrier between the second operational state and the first operational state; andsubsequently removing the room unit from the weathertight structure by: moving the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state;removing the room unit from the weathertight structure through the first opening; andmoving the first barrier between the second operational state and the first operational state.

12. A method of using the building system of claim 8, the method comprising the steps of:moving the first barrier between the first operational state and the second operational state;removing the room unit from the weathertight structure through the first opening;moving the room unit to a geographically spaced location;moving the third barrier between the fifth operational state and the sixth operational state; andadmitting the room unit into the additional weathertight structure through the third opening.

Images