1

MODULAR
COORDINATION
2
MODULE why ?
increase in demand
modern industrial society
economic growth
dynamic development
rapid expansion
increase in standards
increase in expectation
3
MODULE why ?
to match demand with
capacity to build
improve effectiveness
improve quality
improve cost effectiveness
The modular system is a
link in the industrialisation
of the
building industry
4
MODULAR OFFERS
dimensional coordination - simplify &
clarify
limitation of variants in dimensions.
promotes
Standardization. permits
Prefabrication. encourages
industrialization increase production
through increased productivity


5
dimensional coordination
system of dimension that can create clarity
and order
dimensional coordination:
the application of a range of related
dimensions to the sizing of building
components and assemblies and the
buildings incorporating them
modular coordination:
dimensional coordination using the
international basic module, multi modules,
sub modules and a modular reference
system
6
dimensional coordination
the FUNCTION which determines principal
dimensions, room dimensions, etc.
the CONSTRUCTION METHOD which
determines the dimensions of individual
components, connections, etc.

selection of dimensions :
dimensions are interrelated and need to be correlated
to achieve harmony in form, function and
construction method as well as
economically justified
7
limitation of variants
1 in building trade, there are numerous
components with uniform functions
but with variations in dimensions e.g.
doors, windows, storey height
2 standardisation of dimensions:
- agreement on preferred sizes
- remove arbitrary variations
- allowance for justified functional
and production requirements


8
standardisation
limitation of variants leads to
standardisation
flexibility
creativity
design innovation
should not limit

specalisation in
manufacturing of selected
components
open building industry
distribution of work
manufacturers, fabricators,
installers


facilitates

9
levels of standardisation
National standardisation
MS 1064
Client standardisation
elements, processes
schools, hospitals, offices
Manufacturer standardisation
products, materials, sub-assemblies
Project standardisation
procedures, building elements




10
prefabrication
use of prefabricated building components requires key
players to operate on a common dimensional
system
prefabrication calls for agreement on accuracy
of the production tolerances
clear and unambigous

to lay down limits within which
variations on a given dimension can
be tolerated
suitable degree of accuracy

11
functional requirements - dimensions of rooms & building
components are repeated and uniform in rooms with the same function
structural conditions - structural details having the function are
given the same dimensions
principle of repetition
Repetition of uniform dimensions
facilitates design
simplifies construction work
allows industrial production
12
rhythm in architecture
monotony and tedium
principle of repetition
architectural masterpieces
creativity and flexibility
13
rhythm in architecture
monotony and tedium
principle of repetition
architectural masterpieces
creativity and flexibility
14
Many of natures
form are
composed of
IDENTICAL
ELEMENTS
yet the effect is
far from
monotonous
15
modular coordination
an international standarisation
of dimensioning system
principal aim
to achieve
dimensional compatibility
between building dimensions, span, or spaces
and the sizes of components or equipment
by using related
modular dimensions
16
basis of modular coordination
the use of modules (basic modules & multi modules)
a reference system to define coordinating spaces and
zones for building elements and componentsrules for
positioning of building elements within the reference
system
rules for sizing of components in order to determine
their work sizes
rules for defining preferred sizes
communication between participants in the building
process



17
the use of modules
M = 100 mm Basic module
the smallest module to be used to coordinate position and
size of components, elements and installations, related by
reference 3D points, lines and planes
Multimodules

3M, 6M, 9M, 12M . . .
planning modules for main dimensions of framework : span,
storey height etc.
Submodules
2 4
M M
for sizing of components requiring increment smaller than M
18
the use of modules
M
h
= 3M (300 mm) horizontal planning
module
the horizontal planning module for structural framework is
based on the functional requirements of the building and the
components to be used for economic design
M
v
= 1M (100 mm) vertical planning
module
19
reference system
modular planning grid :
modular grids : used mainly during planning /
design stage
based on determined multi modules
for design of structural framework
modular components are placed in the
modular grid
20
For small scale
drawings to
clarify
relationship
between
components -
1M x 1M
1M
1M
Basic Multi Modular Grid
basic modular grid
21
formed with intervals of multi modules
squares with same intervals or rectangular
used in key plans, showing layouts and
positioning of main building components
nM
nM
Square Multi Modular Grid
multi modular grids
22
nM
nM
Square Multi Modular Grid
multi modular grids
23
interrupted modular planning grid
band of interruptions are regularly spaced in both
directions
band of interruptions can be modular or non
modular
Tartan Grid
nM nM
tartan grids
24
Tartan Grid
nM nM
tartan grids
25
modular grid & modular components
1. modular planning grid is used mainly for the design
structural framework
2. modular component must normally be kept within
its modular zone but technical considerations may
require certain connections which entail the
components exceeding their modular zones eg.
tongue and groove, bolted connections
3. with simple, uniform modular components, there
is no conflict with the modular grid, however at
connections, either grid must give way or special
non modular components must be used
26
modular grid
& modular
components
27
positioning of building elements
design
selection of components
design of components
decisions concerning
position, dimensions,
performance
production schedule
assembly of components
construction components
architectural design
structural design
services design
structural
components
non structural
components
finishes
BUILDING PROCESS
production
transportation
Installation
manufacturers
suppliers
designers
manufacturers
suppliers
designers
contractors
manufacturers
suppliers
catalogues of
components
28
boundary reference
axial reference
interaxial reference
flush reference
Modular reference systems enables designer
to relate sensibly elements of construction-
envelope, horizontal and vertical elements
types of references
29
boundary grid
coordinates the position of the
building components
determines the nominal size
of components
placement of component
within two Parallel modular
coordinating grids or planes
so that it fills the space or
zone.
boundary reference
30
axial grid
coordinates the position of a components by placing
the component so that the middle-axis coincides with
a modular coordinating grid of plane
axial reference
31
coordinates the position and dimension of
building component by a reference
interaxial grid
interaxial reference
32
flush grid m
o
d
u
l
a
r

z
o
n
e

coordinates the position of
components by placing
one surface of the
component flush on to a
modular coordinating grid
or plane
Flush Reference
33
Coordinating Size
coordinating spaces - accommodate components with
allowance for joints and tolerances
work size + one joint
work size
coordinating size
joint
34
deductions from coordinating sizes to accommodate
allowance for jointing to coordinate components
adjacent to one another
work size = manufactured size
considerations for determining work size
manufacturing process
stocking method
transportation
handling on site
assembly
other relevant cost
work size
35
mc provides coordinating systems and effective mean
for identifying suitable locations of components joints
every joint should relate to a joint reference plane
joint reference
coincide with modular
plane
joint reference plane
displaced from
modular plane
joints
36
modular coordination provides a coherent system of
tolerance for building components and spaces
concept of tolerance - certain degree of accuracy in
production and placing (manufacture and assembly)
considerations for tolerances
product tolerance
installation tolerances
interfacing tolerance
tolerances
37
preferred sizes
preferred sizes - to rationalise the
prefabrication process and to keep cost
down
preferred sizes limit variations
selection of preferred sizes to suit
function
construction method
material of component


economic
production
38
preferred sizes
39
communication
mc aids communication between
participants in building process through
established :
basic principles
terminology
drafting conventions



40
terminology
coordination size : a size of component which
accommodates the work size with allowances
for joints and tolerances to permit assembly
work size : manufactured size - a dimension
used by manufacturer to ensure that the
actual dimension lies between the maximum
and minimum dimension
preferred size : a size chosen for specific
purposes technical or economic reasons

41
drafting conventions
modular reference
plane
modular axial
plane
modular
coordinating
dimensions
non modular zone
42
hierarchy of planning
not always possible to completely use
modular preferred dimensions and sizes
due to:
economic and functional
considerations
Order of priority:
2. Elements of building - eg. Col., beams.
3. Components -eg. Doors, windows
4. Finishes and built-in equipment
1. Planning grid
43
Determines positioning & dimensioning of
main building components
modular design rules
44
main building components
45
M
H
= 3M (300mm)
Facades
are placed flushed on the outside to
a modular reference plane
external
internal
n x 3M
planning approaches horizontal planning
46
Cross walls and structural frames (beam and column) are
placed according to two alternatives:-
n x 3M
3M
the structural part of the component is placed at the
axis between two modular reference planes spaced at
3M apart.
INTERAXIAL PLANING (Alternative 1)
47
the structural part of the component is placed between
a technical coordination space (not necessarily
modular because of technical or economic reasons)
n x 3M
t
1
BOUNDARY PLANING (Alternative 2)
48
are placed flushed on either side of the modular
reference plane or line
n x 3M
n


x


3
M

Partitions
49
facades are always placed
on the outside of the modular line
external
n x 3M
internal
for crosswalls (structural) or
columns, use alternative 1 or
alternative 2
n

x

3
M

t
1

BOUNDARY
PLANNING
n

x

3
M

3
M

INTERAXIAL
PLANNING
partitions are placed flushed
to the modular line
n x 3M
n

x

3
M


horizontal planning - summary
50
~ running wall panels can always be modular
n x 3M
3M
inserted wall panel
running wall panel
~ 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
INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)
51
~ coordination with a technical space
~ column can be designed economically
~ technical size can be non modular
n x 3M
inserted wall panel
running wall panel
modular size
~ inserted and running wall panels are modular if technical size
is modular
BOUNDARY PLANNING (Alternative 2)
52
n x 3M
inserted wall panel
running wall panel
t
1
~ if technical size is not modular, inserted wall panels are
modular but running wall panels cannot be modular
BOUNDARY PLANNING (Alternative 2)
53
M
V
= M (100mm)
Floors are placed within a modular
floor zone of n X M increments
Floors to floor heights are vertically placed n X M increments

n
3
x M
n
1
x M
n
2
x M
vertical planning
54
main controlling dimensions
intermediate controlling dimensions

vertical controlling dimensions
55
Roof Zone
Window
Sill height
Zone
Floor
Height
Door Head
Change of Floor Level
Floor to
Floor Height
Ceiling Height
Floor to
Fig 3-10 : Vertical Controlling Dimensions
roof
zone
floor zone
floor to
ceiling height
storey height
vertical coordination
main controlling dimensions
56
Roof Zone
Window
Sill height
Zone
Floor
Height
Door Head
Change of Floor Level
Floor to
Floor Height
Ceiling Height
Floor to
Fig 3-10 : Vertical Controlling Dimensions
roof
zone
floor zone
floor to
ceiling height
storey height
door head
height
window
head height
window
sill height
intermediate controlling dimensions
vertical coordination
57
modular floor plane coinciding with upper
surface of floor covering
vertical planning
58
Modular floor plane coinciding with
upper surface of rough floor
Modular floor plane coinciding with
upper surface of structural floor
vertical planning
59
modular design rules - summary
60
building parts - perceived as components
influencing factors :
positions and sizes of components
tolerances allowed between them and
their coordinating spaces
building process = assembling of components
components and finishes
61
designing with components
must be conceptualised
early in design stage
bearing on choice of
planning grids and
approaches
structural components
columns
beams
floor slabs
walls
Staircases
lift cores
non structural components
o cladding
o partition
o doors, windows
Finishes
ceiling finishes
floor finishes
wall finishes
components and finishes
62
components are dimensioned and placed
inside, within the horizontal and vertical
planning module
monolithic 3-D components
63
monolithic 3-D
components
64
components are dimensioned within the horizontal
and vertical planning modular increments.
the load bearing and self bearing parts if any, are on
the outside of the modular planes.
non-monolithic 3-D components
65
non-monolithic 3-D
components
66
basic dimensions - 3M / multiples of 3M
dimensions fit into modular grid
planning structural grid
dimensions are for finished dimensions

BOUNDARY PLANNING
DISPLACEMENT OF GRID PLANNING
n x 3M
n x 3M
n x 3M
n x 3M
n x 3M
columns
67

BOUNDARY PLANNING
DISPLACEMENT OF GRID PLANNING
n x 3M
n x 3M
n x 3M
n x 3M
n x 3M
columns
68
beam depth are in
the increments of M
floor zone with false
ceiling
beams
accommodated
in floor zone
beams depth
only affect
services, not
walls / partition
below
Floor Zone
beams
69
Floor Zone
Beams with
false ceiling
70
distance between base
of beam and floor slab
must be modular to
accommodate the
components below
Window Head
Height
Floor to Floor Height
Beams without false ceiling
71
Window Head
Height
Floor to Floor Height
Beams without
false ceiling
72
floor zone:
space allocated for floor assembly
extends from reference plane of ceiling
to the finished floor surface above it
ceiling accommodated within the floor zone
composition may vary
top of floor zone = top of floor finish
base of floor zone - bottom of ceiling of the
floor below
Composition
of Floor Zone
Screed
Slab
Service Space
False Ceiling
Bottom of Floor Zone
Top of Floor Zone Floor Finish
depth in sub-modular
increments of 0.5M or
0.25M
precast slab-fit into
structural grid :12M
Floor slabs
73
Composition
of Floor Zone
Screed
Slab
Service Space
False Ceiling
Bottom of Floor Zone
Top of Floor Zone Floor Finish
Floor slabs
74
width multiples of n x 3M, n x 6M, n x 12M
thickness within module zone of n xM
length - coordinating size in multiples of n x 3M
adaptation area
n
x
M
n x 3M
n x 3M
n
x
M
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
width n x 3M
n x 6M
n x 12M
Precast floor slabs
75
adaptation area
n
x
M
n x 3M
n x 3M
n
x
M
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
width n x 3M
n x 6M
n x 12M
Precast floor slabs
76

length of walls determined by planning grid
dimensions and 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

COMPONENT WALLS
precast load bearing Walls
77
COMPONENT WALLS
precast load bearing
Walls
78
dimensions - for doorsets
controlling spaces be preferred dimensions - to allow
the doors be fitted without undue adjustments
(adaptation pieces fitted in walls or partitions)
Door Component
Floor
Zone
n x 3M
1
n x 3M
2
Doors
79
Door Component
Floor
Zone
n x 3M
1
n x 3M
2
Doors
80
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
n x 3M
COORDINATING WINDOW SIZE
windows
81
COORDINATING
WINDOW HEIGHT
COORDINATING
SILL HEIGHT
n x 3M
n x 3M
n x 3M
COORDINATING WINDOW SIZE
windows
82
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
SECTION
TOP OF FLOOR ZONE
FLOOR ZONE
n x 3M
n

x

3
M
n

x

3
M
n x 3M
PLAN
stairs
83
SECTION
TOP OF FLOOR ZONE
FLOOR ZONE
n x 3M
n

x

3
M
n

x

3
M
n x 3M
PLAN
stairs
84
external dimensions be modular to
relate to other elements
more than one lift - whole assembly is
treated as a single element
LIFTS AND LOBBY
SINGLE LIFT
n x 3M
1
n x 3M
2
n x 3M
1
n x 3M
2
LIFTS AND LOBBY
SINGLE LIFT
n x 3M 1
n x 3M
2
n x 3M 1
n x 3M 2
Lift cores
85
LIFTS AND LOBBY
SINGLE LIFT
n x 3M
1
n x 3M
2
n x 3M
1
n x 3M
2
LIFTS AND LOBBY
SINGLE LIFT
n x 3M
1
n x 3M
2
n x 3M
1
n x 3M
2
Lift cores
86
Example
- Plan
87
Example -
Elevation
88
floor zone
window head ht
window sill ht
Example - Window
89
HDB PREFABRICATION TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
Close coordination at design stage resulted
in highly buildable building
More than 75% of precast columns, beams
and slabs designed to one standardised
size
Many architectural features were modulated
and precast for better quality and finish
90
HDB PREFABRICATION TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
91
Structural components
standardised to a single size
Precast elements - arched
concrete lattices, ring water
tanks, curved auditorium walls,
perimeter fencing wall
Buidability and aesthetics
could be achieved without
compromising one another
Buildable Features
92
Buildable Features
93
High buildable design -
construction period shortened
considerably
Precast structural frame - precast
columns, beams, hollow core
slabs abd planks
Architectural features - precast
lightweight concrete panels,
prefab, infill aluminum panels
Structural steel truss, precast
parapet, precision blocks, dry
partition
YUSOF ISHAK SECONDARY SCHOOL
94
YUSOF ISHAK SECONDARY SCHOOL
95
THE FRENCH SCHOOL
standardised grids and repetitive
floor layouts, use of flat floor slabs
resulted in less columns and bigger
span
integrated roof system, lightweight
concrete blocks - no plastering
needed, faster construction
monospace lift - expedite
construction and increase usable
space
96
THE FRENCH SCHOOL
97
Modular horizontal and vertical
grids, repetitive floor layouts, use of
system formwork for efficiency
Precast columns, beams, slabs and
staircases - on-site and off-site
RC external walls - use of jumping
formwork enabled walls to be cast
three storey ahead of each floor
slab
WOODSVALE
98
WOODSVALE
99
Architect commissioned to design
a maintenance-free building and
create an elegant facade
Flat floor slab system for free
space, 90% of columns and beams
standardise
Full height glazing and metal
cladding used as envelope for
quality finish
NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD CENTRAL REPOSITORY
100
NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD CENTRAL REPOSITORY
101
POPOVICH HALL - THE UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Successful integration of cast
stone and brick resulted in a
building that was contextual to the
existing campus
the juxtaposition scale between
cast stone and brick module and
the playful movement between
curved and orthogonal plane made
for an exciting project
102
POPOVICH HALL - THE UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
103
THE KING FARM OFFICE BUILDING
The proportion of massing and
articulation of base, body and
top contributed to the building
monumental appearance
The attention to detail and use
of natural light made the
building visually exciting and
the consistency of colour and
finish was well done
104
THE KING FARM OFFICE BUILDING
105
THE EMORY UNIVERSITY PARKING DECK
Project commended for the ability to
transform a difficult faade into a
work of art. The window and bay
patterns create a rhythm along the
faade developing a human scale
not often found in parking decks.
The architectural faade is express
as an applique to the concrete
structural frame in a contemporary
and genuine fashion was well done
106
THE EMORY UNIVERSITY PARKING DECK
107
THANK YOU