Platform for architectural modularity in multifamily residential design and construction

1 . A method for designing and building a multi-family residence building (MFRB), comprising:

providing, via one or more processors, a design platform comprising a database and design platform tools stored on a computer-readable medium that manage a plurality of levels defining a nested design framework;

defining, via the one or more processors, a first level of the plurality of levels as a universal planning grid (UPG) that specifies dimensional standards and locational roles and coordinates nesting of at least some of the plurality of levels smaller in scale than the universal planning grid within dimensions designated by the universal planning grid, wherein the universal planning grid guides volume scale of the MFRB;

scaling, via the one or more processors, at least some of the plurality of levels to nest into at least one of the plurality of levels larger in scale than at least some of the plurality of levels;

applying, via the one or more processors, structural elements and major core components to a respective level of the plurality of levels, wherein the structural elements and the major core components are pre-coordinated to at least one additional level of the plurality of levels once the structural elements and the major core components are applied to the respective level of the plurality of levels;

identifying, via the one or more processors, at least one zone of standardization and at least one zone of adaptability for each of the plurality of levels, each of the at least one zone of standardization defining at least some of the structural elements aligned to an intersection of grid lines on two axes and defined by a common circulation corridor, each of the at least one zone of adaptability defining at least some of the structural elements aligned to one of the grid lines on the two axes parallel to the common circulation corridor;

defining and enforcing, via the one or more processors, rules to guide interfaces between the universal planning grid and at least some of the plurality of levels smaller in scale than the universal planning grid, the rules including mapping residential infill frameworks to desired locations without modification and coordinating core/shell components and the residential infill frameworks to minimize conflicts;

outputting, via an output component, building schematics of the MFRB that reflect the enforced rules and pre-coordinated relationships; and

constructing the MFRB according to the building schematics;

wherein at least one of: the universal planning grid and design catalogs of a platform toolkit stored on a computer-readable medium are updated at regular intervals based on design improvements from specific stages via the one or more processors, further wherein the updating at regular intervals are based on design improvements from specific stages within the designing of the MFRB, the specific stages including at least one of: the defining of the first level of the plurality of levels as the universal planning grid, the scaling of at least some of the plurality of levels, the applying of the structural elements and the major core components to a respective level of the plurality of levels, the identifying of the at least one zone of standardization and the at least one zone of adaptability for each of the plurality of levels, and the defining of the rules to guide the interfaces between the universal planning grid and at least some of the plurality of levels smaller in scale than the universal planning grid.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UPG and the levels smaller in scale than the universal planning grid comprise a plurality of nested levels, the plurality of nested levels separated into core/shell levels including level 1A and level 1B, and the plurality of levels also organized into residential infill levels including level 2A and level 2B.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein level 1A defines the core/shell components including one or more of: risers, stair shafts, elevator shafts, trash stacks and electrical rooms while level 2A defines the residential infill frameworks.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein level 1B defines core/shell vertical infrastructure including mechanical, electrical and plumbing service distribution, while level 2B defines the residential infill components including one or more of kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) closets.

5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein nested levels coordinate stacking of structure, core elements and building services in the MFRB.

6 . A system for designing and building a multi-family residence building (MFRB), comprising:

one or more processors having a tangible computer-readable medium with computer executable instructions therein for executing a process comprising:

providing, via the one or more processors, a design platform comprising a database and design platform tools stored on the tangible computer-readable medium that manage a plurality of levels defining a nested design framework;

defining, via the one or more processors, a first level of the plurality of levels as a universal planning grid (UPG) that specifies dimensional standards and locational roles and coordinates nesting of at least some of the plurality of levels smaller in scale than the universal planning grid within dimensions designated by the universal planning grid, wherein the universal planning grid guides volume scale of the MFRB;

scaling, via the one or more processors, at least some of the plurality of levels to nest into at least one of the plurality of levels larger in scale than at least some of the plurality of levels;

applying, via the one or more processors, structural elements and major core components to a respective level of the plurality of levels, wherein the structural elements and the major core components are pre-coordinated to at least one additional level of the plurality of levels once the structural elements and the major core components are applied to the respective level of the plurality of levels;

identifying, via the one or more processors, at least one zone of standardization and at least one zone of adaptability for each of the plurality of levels, each of the at least one zone of standardization defining at least some of the structural elements aligned to an intersection of grid lines on two axes and defined by a common circulation corridor, each of the at least one zone of adaptability defining at least some of the structural elements aligned to one of the grid lines on the two axes parallel to the common circulation corridor;

defining and enforcing, via the one or more processors, rules to guide interfaces between the universal planning grid and at least some of the plurality of levels smaller in scale than the universal planning grid, the rules including mapping residential infill frameworks to desired locations without modification and coordinating core/shell components and the residential infill frameworks to minimize conflicts; and

outputting, via an output component, building schematics of the MFRB that reflect the enforced rules and pre-coordinated relationships;

wherein the MFRB is constructed according to the building schematics;

further wherein at least one of: the universal planning grid and design catalogs of a platform toolkit stored on a computer-readable medium are updated at regular intervals based on design improvements from specific stages via the one or more processors, further wherein the updating at regular intervals are based on design improvements from specific stages within the designing of the MFRB, the specific stages including at least one of: the defining of the first level of the plurality of levels as the universal planning grid, the scaling of at least some of the plurality of levels, the applying of the structural elements and the major core components to a respective level of the plurality of levels, the identifying of the at least one zone of standardization and the at least one zone of adaptability for each of the plurality of levels, and the defining of the rules to guide the interfaces between the universal planning grid and at least some of the plurality of levels smaller in scale than the universal planning grid.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the UPG and the levels smaller in scale than the universal planning grid comprise a plurality of nested levels, the plurality of nested levels separated into core/shell levels including level 1A and level 1B, and the plurality of levels also organized into residential infill levels including level 2A and level 2B.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein level 1A defines the core/shell components including one or more of: risers, stair shafts, elevator shafts, trash stacks and electrical rooms while level 2A separates residential units scale infill.

9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein level 1B defines core/shell vertical infrastructure including mechanical, electrical and plumbing service distribution, while level 2B defines residential component-scale infill including one or more of kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) closets.

10 . The system of claim 7 , wherein each level is at a different scale.

11 . The system of claim 7 , wherein nested levels coordinate stacking of structure, core elements and building services in the MFRB.

12 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising developing a design catalog comprising adaptable building elements in each level of the plurality of levels, including, at the first level, standardized predetermined locations for structural and MEP services serving shell and infill levels.