MODULAR COOR DINATION

&
MODULAR DESIGN RULE
for
JKR
at Menara PJD, Kuala Lumpur
on
25th July 2011

BY
SUMARNI ISMAIL
UPM
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CONTENTS OF PRESENTATION
1.0

INTRODUCTION

2.0

OBJECTIVES

3.0 Modular Coordination (MC) as a standard

systems of measurement.
4.0 The adaptation of Modular Design Rules in
IBS
5.0

CONCLUSION

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1.0

INTRODUCTION

Modular, or dimensional coordination is not new concept.

Historically reports indicate that the buildings of ancient
Babylon, Greece and Rome in fact China utilised a form of
modular coordination in the planning of their great structures.
In modern form, Modular Coordination was originally
advocated by the French Architect Le Corbusier as an
aesthetic numerical system of measure derived from:
The mathematics (aesthetic dimensions of the Golden
Section and the Fibonaci Series). And
The proportion of the human body (anthropometric
dimension), thus bringing back the human scale to the
Metric system
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2.0 OBJECTIVES

1.0

To introduce Modular Coordination (MC) as a

standard systems of measurement.
2.0

3.0

To apply Modular Design Rules in IBS

CONCLUSION

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The proportioning of human scale in the

built environment serves as measures
for huts, dwelling, places of worship,
public buildings etcHowever, the
proportions of man varies from places
to places

Traditional Malay Measurement System

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The Ken - Traditional Japanese House

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Anglo-Saxon Measurement system

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The Classical Order

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The Renaissance Theories (1/2)

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The Renaissance Theories (2/2)

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The Golden Section (1/2)

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The Golden Section (2/2)

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1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

Proportional Systems (1/2)

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Proportional Systems (2/2)

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 When the Industrial Revolution was sparked off in Europe,

the world became divided into two halves, the FOOT and
INCH system and the METRE system of measure
The French Revolution, did away with the foot and inch
(imperial) system with all its show and complicated
process. The metre was adopted by a society step in
innovation.

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The Modulor
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Anthropometric Proportions
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THE MODULOR
We must strive towards the establishment of a standard
in order to face the problem of perfection. The Parthenon
is the product of selection applied to a standard.
Architecture is a process based on standard. Standards
are product of logic, of analysis and pain-staking study,
they are evolved on the basis of a problem well stated. In
the final analysis, however, a standard is established by
experimentation.
Le Corbusier
L, Espirit Nouveau, 1920
Vers Un Architecture
Nouvelle 1923
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 The use of components and modules is not new.

It has been illustrated earlier in the proportioning
systems such as The Classical Orders, The
Japanese Ken and The Modulor.
Due to the adoption of the Metric System (SI
units) as an international system or measure, it is
inevitable that an international standardization of
the basic dimensional unit of measure in building
must be sought for and agreed upon, so as to
overcome the conflict that has arisen between the
Imperial system and the Metric system of
measures.
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The Modular System is used:

As the basic principle and rules on MC that

have been laid in the first series of ISO
Standard since 1981. The basic module (M =
100 mm), equivalent to approx. 4 inches, and
the planning module such as 3M, 6M and 12M
are contained in the series of ISO standards.
As the basis of the Malaysian Standard MS
1064, which was implemented in 1988 to
introduce the Industrial Building System (IBS).

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Typical Working Drawing

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Modular Coordination WD

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What is
modular
coordination
(MC)?

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 Module : standardized & easily fit

components
Construction materials :
standardized & easily fit
components
Standardized NOT necessarily the
same size BUT MUST easily fit to
each other
MC is about dimensioning
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MC: international system of dimensional

standardisation in building as specified by
ISO Standards and in national standards of
many countries.
A module: a basic dimension which could
for example form the basis of a planning
grid in terms of multiples and submultiples
of standard module.
Traditional example: depa (Malay), Ken (Japan), foot (English), etc.
The use of metric.

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principal aim
to achieve
dimensional compatibility
between building dimensions,
span, or spaces
and the sizes of components or
equipment
by using related
modular dimensions
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basis of modular coordination

the use of modules

basic
M = 100 mm
module module to be used
the smallest
to coordinate position and
size of components, elements and
installations.
not for the structural framework
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modular coordination design

rules
1. basic module

M = 100 mm

2. horizontal planning module

MH = 3M (300mm)
3. vertical planning module
MV = M (100mm)
4. reference systems for
positioning of components
and spaces
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basis of modular coordination

the use of modules
Multi modules

3M, 6M, 9M, 12M . . .

planning modules for main

dimensions of framework
especially the span (horizontal
dimensioning)

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MC System

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the use of
modules
submodules

basis of modular
coordination

M M
2 4
for sizing of components requiring
increment smaller than M
not for planning modules
for displacement of different
modular grids
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basis of modular coordination

a reference system to define

coordinating spaces and zones for
building elements and assemblies

a system of points, lines and planes grids

used mainly during planning / design
stage

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basis of modular coordination

Graphic Conventions
Dimensioning Lines

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Zone &
Spaces

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Basic Symbols

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basis of modular coordination

ZONES
o

zone
o
wall zone
o
floor zone
o
roof zone

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basis of modular coordination

Controlling Reference
System
o
controlling plane.
o
controlling zone.
o
controlling dimension.
o
modular floor plane.
o
floor to floor height.
o
floor to ceiling height.
o
height of floor zone
o
floor to roof height
o

height of roof zone.

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horizontal controlling dimensions

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vertical controlling dimensions

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basis of modular coordination

Component Reference System

Coordinating Line

Coordinating Plane

Coordinating Space

Coordinating Dimensions

Coordinating Size
Adaptation Space

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the building component & controlling past

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reference systems for

positioning of components and
spaces
boundary
reference
axial reference

interaxial
reference
flush reference

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reference systems for positioning

of components and spaces

boundary reference
coordinates the position of the
building components

determines the
components
boundary grid

nominal size o

placement of component within

two Parallel modular coordina
grids or planes so that it fills
the space or zone.
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reference systems for positioning

of components and spaces

axial reference
coordinates the position of a
components by placing the
component so that the
middle-axis coincides with
a modular coordinating
grid of plane

axial grid

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reference systems for positioning

of components and spaces

interaxial reference
coordinates the position and
dimension of building
component
by a reference
interaxial grid

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reference systems for positioning

of components and spaces

flush reference

modular zone

coordinates the position of

components by placing one surface of
the component flush on to a
modular coordinating grid or
plane

flush grid
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modular design
rules
determines

positioning
&

dimensioning
of

main building components

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horizontal coordination
MH = 3M (300mm)
Facades
are placed flushed on the
outside to
a modular reference plane
external

n x 3M

internal
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horizontal coordination
Cross walls and structural frames (beam and column)
are placed according to two alternatives:INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)
the structural part of the component is placed at
the axis between two modular reference planes
spaced at 3M apart.
3M

n x 3M

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horizontal coordination
BOUNDARY PLANNIG (Alternative 2)
the structural part of the component is placed
between a technical coordination space (not
necessarily modular because of technical or
economic reasons)

t1

n x 3M

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horizontal coordination
Partitions
are placed flushed on either side of
the modular reference plane or line

n x 3M

n x 3M

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INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)

~ running wall panels can always be modular
~ column placed axially distance between axial is
modular
~ column size less than 3M or larger
~ if columns are modular, inserted wall panels can be
modular
running wall panel
inserted wall panel

n x 3M
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INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)

~ column size less than 3M

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M
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INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)

~ column size larger than 3M

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M
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BOUNDARY PLANNING (Alternative 2)

~
~
~
~

coordination with a technical space

column can be designed economically
technical size can be non modular
inserted and running wall panels are modular if
technical size is modular
running wall panel
inserted wall panel

n x 3M

modular size

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BOUNDARY PLANNING (Alternative 2)

~ if technical size is not modular, inserted wall panels
are modular but running wall panels cannot be
modular
running wall panel
inserted wall panel

n x 3M

t1

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vertical coordination

Floors are placed within a modular

floor zone of n X M increments

MV = M (100mm)

Floors to floor heights are vertically placed n X M

increments

n3 x M

n1 x M
n2 x M

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vertical controlling dimensions

main controlling dimensions

intermediate controlling
dimensions

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main controlling dimensions

vertical coordination

roof
zone

Roof Zone

Floor to
Ceiling Height

floor to
ceiling height

Window
Sill height

floor
zone

Floor
Zone

storey height

Floor to
Floor Height

Door Head
Height

Change of Floor Level

Fig 3-10 : Vertical Controlling Dimensions

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intermediate controlling dimensions

roof
zone

Roof Zone

Floor to
Ceiling Height

window
head height
window
sill height
floor zone

floor to
ceiling height

Window
Sill height

Floor
Zone

storey height

Floor to
Floor Height

Door Head
Height

door head
height
Change of Floor Level

Fig 3-10 :

Vertical Controlling Dimensions

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components and finishes

designing with components
must be conceptualised early
in design stage
bearing on choice of planning
grids and approaches

structural components
columns
beams
floor slabs

staircases and lift

walls
cores
non
structural

components
cladding
partition
doors,
windows
finishes
ceiling
finishes
floor finishes
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columns
basic dimensions - 3M / multiples of
3M
dimensions fit into modular grid planning structural grid

dimensions are for finished

dimensions

n x 3M

n x 3M

n x 3M

n x 3M

BOUNDARY PLANNING

n x 3M

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DISPLACEMENT OF GRID PLANNING

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beams
beam

depth are in the increments of

floor zone with false ceiling

- beams accommodated in floor
zone
- beams depth only affect
services, not
walls / partition below

Floor Zone

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walls

dimensions - finished wall

dimensions

in cases wall do not fill the whole

wall zone, where structure
allows, wall should be lined with
one side of the zone to minimise
number of adaptation pieces

precast load bearing walls

length of walls determined by

planning grid

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COMPONENT WALLS

doors

dimensions - for doorsets

controlling spaces be preferred dimensions to allow the doors be fitted without undue
adjustments (adaptation pieces fitted in
walls or partitions)

Floor
Zone

n1 x 3M

n2 x 3M
Door Component

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windows

dimensions - for windowsets

sill reference plane may coincide with floor

reference plane

window head reference plane may

coincide with ceiling reference plane

COORDINATING
WINDOW HEIGHT

COORDINATING
SILL HEIGHT

n x 3M

n x 3M

COORDINATING WINDOW SIZE

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stairs
length

of flights and landing dimensions

are modular

goings, risers and widths of flights are as

required by statutory requirements

stairs located in between

floor coordinating line

top of stair coincides

with top of floor zone

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plan of stairs

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section through stairs

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stairs
coordinating dimensions for stairs and stair
openings
COORDINATING PLANE

nx M

STRUCTURAL FLOOR
LEVEL

STRUCTURAL FLOOR
LEVEL

VERTICAL DISTANCES BETWEEN COORDINATING

PLANES SHALL BE MULTIPLES OF 1 M
THE COORDINATING PLANES FOR LOCATION OF
FLOORS SHALL BE RELATED 10 STRUCTURAL
FLOOR LEVELS

EXAMPLE 1

COORDINATING PLANE

EXAMPLE 2

EXAMPLE 3
EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE THE
APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF
MODULAR COORDINATION

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lift & staircase

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corners and re-entrant angles

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corner & re-entrant angles axial planning

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corner & re-entrant angles face planning

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2M thick partitions

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1M thick partitions 91

adaptation pieces

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adjusted wall

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component assembly with adaptation piece

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door component

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window component

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HDB Sembawang N3C6 Typical Apartment Plan

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Tanglin View
Private Residential Block

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PREFABRICATED
TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
ELEMENTS AND SYSTEMS

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Prefabricated Timber Construction

Elements Subsystems Systems

Elements in timber construction:

Solid wood
Laminated timber
Glued laminated timber
Composed of several layers (in direction of
the fiber) glued together

Board pallet components

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Panel systems

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Skelton System

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Installation Systems HAVAC &

Electrical

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Prefabricated Timber Construction

Production and assembly methods

Construction principles of
prefabricated structures:
Skeleton construction
Frame structure
Articulated system
Framework

Panel construction
Building unit construction
Special constructions
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PREFABRICATED
TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
PRODUCTION PROCESS
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Prefabricated Timber Construction

Production and assembly methods

1st step
wood cutting, sawing
2nd step
element assembly
3rd step
implementing insulation
and
technical installations
4th step
planking
5th step
after-treatment of the wood
6th step
storage, transportation, on
site assembly
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Timber Prefabrication Factory

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Timber Prefabrication Flow

Production
NC Workstations

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Prefabrication Multi point

Stapling-Robot

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Industrialized Flow Production of

Modular Housing Construction

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Prefabricated Timber Construction

Assembling on Site

Source: Holzbau Renggli AG, Switzerland

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THANK YOU

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