Compact Dwelling Layout with Nested Storage Under 400 Square Feet
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing real estate prices and reduced space in housing units due to smaller dwellings lead to a need for self-contained housing units that include all necessary amenities within a limited area, such as apartments, hotel rooms, and extended stay hotels, without compromising functionality.
Innovation Solution
A dwelling layout featuring a housing unit with at least four walls, a full-sized kitchen, a raised bed unit with storage, and closets, all within an area of less than 400 square feet, including a bathroom and a convertible furniture system to optimize space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the area of housing units is reduced to increase the number of dwellings per unit area, then the number of dwellings sold or rented per unit area increases, but the overall space for amenities within the housing unit decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing closets within the storage area defined by the raised platform. Specifically, the first closet is positioned at least partially within the storage area beneath the raised bed unit, and the second closet is also positioned at least partially within the storage area. This nested arrangement allows multiple storage functions to occupy the same spatial footprint, effectively increasing amenity space without increasing the overall housing unit area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical dimensionality by implementing a raised bed unit with a raised platform. The bed is elevated above the floor level, creating a storage area beneath it. This vertical arrangement transforms two-dimensional floor space into three-dimensional usable space, allowing closets and storage to be positioned within the volume under the raised bed, thereby maintaining full amenity functionality in a compact footprint.
2Ease of manufacture
If housing units are constructed without needed amenities to reduce costs, then construction costs decrease, but the housing units are not self-contained and lack functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The raised bed unit serves multiple functions: it provides sleeping surface elevation, creates underlying storage volume, and supports positioning of closets within that storage area. The full-sized kitchen positioned along the walls provides complete food preparation functionality. This multi-functionality ensures self-contained housing units have all necessary amenities without requiring additional space, maintaining functionality while controlling construction costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Closets are nested within the storage area defined by the raised platform, allowing storage functionality to be embedded within the structural framework of the raised bed unit. This nested configuration provides complete storage amenities without requiring separate dedicated closet spaces, ensuring self-contained functionality while optimizing the use of limited housing unit area.
3Productivity
If the housing unit area is reduced to less than 400 square feet, then the number of units per area increases and profitability increases, but the space for essential amenities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The raised bed unit with raised platform creates vertical space utilization, transforming the volume beneath the bed into usable storage area. This three-dimensional approach allows closets to be positioned within the storage area under the raised bed, providing essential storage amenities without consuming additional floor space, thereby maintaining full functionality in housing units under 400 square feet.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second closets are positioned at least partially within the storage area defined by the raised platform, creating a nested arrangement where storage facilities are embedded within the structural volume of the raised bed unit. This nesting provides essential amenities within the compact footprint, ensuring profitability through high unit density while maintaining complete functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A dwelling including at least four walls defining a housing unit and an area of the housing unit. The housing unit includes at least one interior wall, a full-sized kitchen, a first closet positioned, and a raised bed unit. At least one of the at least four walls and the at least one interior wall define a bathroom. The full-sized kitchen is positioned along at least one of the four walls. The first closet is positioned a distance from the four walls and the interior wall. The raised bed unit includes a raised platform and a first bed positioned on the raised platform. The raised platform defines a storage area beneath the first bed. The first closet is positioned at least partially within the storage area, and the area of the housing unit is less than 400 square feet.