A timber I-beam 701 has a top chord 702 and a bottom chord 704 forming the flanges of I-beam and a series of side by side timber blocks 706 each separated from the next by a gap 722, together forming a uniplanar, intermittent web. Cables and pipes for a building may run transversely through the gaps 722. A method of making the I-beam is described.

A building structure (100) is erected on a concrete slab (105). The structure comprises a rigid beam-and-post frame (110) and a plurality of wall and roof panels (130, 145). A first end of the posts (120) of the frame are secured to the concrete slab. A beam (115) is secured to a second end of the posts. Adjacent wall and roof panels are secured to one-another by interlocking edges joined with adhesive or other fasteners. Wall panels adjacent to the posts of the frame may be secured to the posts. Roof panels are secured to the beam and wall panels. Wall panels are secured to the concrete slab by adhesive sealant (1000), angles (1005), and bolts (1010, 1015). Ceiling panels are secured to the beam by a plurality of bolts (1010), and brackets (1005, 1200). Openings (135) for windows and doors are formed in the wall panels.

The invention is a modular building component with rod-based dimensions. The modular building component comprises a prismatic box structure. A number of the prismatic box structures are placed side by side horizontally to create a ceiling and a floor with rod-based dimensions. The ceiling and the floor function as components of a building with rod-based dimensions. The building may also have walls that are also prismatic box structures with rod-based dimensions. Two or more of the buildings can be placed side by side to fill equal portions of an entire width of a perfect-acre lot. The buildings that fill an entire perfect-acre lot lead to a sustainable community design, given that no space is wasted. The rod-based building components are properly dimensioned for quickly assembling these optimally sustainable buildings.

The invention is a modular building component with rod-based dimensions. The modular building component comprises a prismatic box structure. A number of the prismatic box structures are placed side by side horizontally to create a ceiling and a floor with rod-based dimensions. The ceiling and the floor function as components of a building with rod-based dimensions. The building may also have walls that are also prismatic box structures with rod-based dimensions. Two or more of the buildings can be placed side by side to fill equal portions of an entire width of a perfect-acre lot. The buildings that fill an entire perfect-acre lot lead to a sustainable community design, given that no space is wasted. The rod-based building components are properly dimensioned for quickly assembling these optimally sustainable buildings.

A kit for a timber frame structure that provides electrical power for lights, fans, and other electrical devices. Pre-wired timber frame components for the kit may comprise support posts, each having a pre-drilled center bore and one or more recessed electrical boxes with weatherproof outdoor covers. Installed in the center bore of each post may be electrical wiring extending to the electrical boxes. The electrical boxes may house switches and outlets that connect to the electrical wiring.

A kit for a timber frame structure that provides electrical power for lights, fans, and other electrical devices. Pre-wired timber frame components for the kit may comprise support posts, each having a pre-drilled center bore and one or more recessed electrical boxes with weatherproof outdoor covers. Installed in the center bore of each post may be electrical wiring extending to the electrical boxes. The electrical boxes may house switches and outlets that connect to the electrical wiring.

An architectural structure for constructing a variety of goods in a variety of configurations is provided. The architectural structure includes a plurality of paired slat-like members and a spine configured to hold the plurality of paired slat-like members in an expanded state. Each paired slat-like members includes joined upper ends, joined lower ends and an expandable central region joined to an adjacent paired slat-like members.

A timber I-beam 701 has a top chord 702 and a bottom chord 704 forming the flanges of I-beam and a series of side by side timber blocks 706 each separated from the next by a gap 722, together forming a uniplanar, intermittent web. Cables and pipes for a building may run transversely through the gaps 722. A method of making the I-beam is described.

An architectural structure for constructing a variety of goods in a variety of configurations is provided. The architectural structure includes a plurality of paired slat-like members and a spine configured to hold the plurality of paired slat-like members in an expanded state. Each paired slat-like members includes joined upper ends, joined lower ends and an expandable central region joined to an adjacent paired slat-like members.

A tapered truss is provided. In one embodiment, the truss has a pair of base members configured to be attached to a top surface of a vertical support member. The truss may further have an upper pair of truss members and a lower pair of truss members. Each upper truss member each forms an acute angle with a respective base member and each lower truss member forms an obtuse angle from the respective base member such that the lower truss member is not parallel to the upper truss member. The truss may additionally include a ceiling joist member connected to each of the lower truss members. In one embodiment, the ceiling joist member is substantially parallel to the pair of base members.