MODULAR

COORDINATION

MODULAR DESIGN RULES

IBS OUTREACH PROGRAM 2010

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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 module M = 100 mm

the smallest module to be used 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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 basis of modular coordination

1 the use of modules

submodules 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

2 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

MIIE 2006
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 basis of modular coordination
Building Component Sizing
Component
1 A building product formed as a distinct unit.
Modular Component
2
A component whose coordinating sizes are modular.
Element
3
A part of a building or structure having its own functional identify,
such as a footing, a floor, a roof, a wall or a column.
Modular Element
4
An element whose coordinating sizes are modular.
Preferred Dimension
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A dimension chosen in preference to others for specific purposes.
Preferred Size
6 A size chosen in preference to others for specific purposes.
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7 Work Size (manufacturing dimension)
grid reference

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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 nominal size of

components

placement of component within

boundary grid two Parallel modular coordinating
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

coordinates the position of components by

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

flush grid

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 modular design rules
determines

positioning
&
dimensioning
of

main building components

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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

MIIE 2006 51
horizontal coordination

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

n x 3M
n x 3M

MIIE 2006 52
horizontal coordination - summary

external

n x 3M
n x 3M
internal
n x 3M
facades are always placed partitions are placed flushed
on the outside of the modular line to the modular line

for crosswalls (structural) or

n x 3M

n x 3M

columns, use alternative 1 or

alternative 2
3M

t1

INTERAXIAL BOUNDARY 53
PLANNING PLANNING
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

3M 54
INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)
~ column size – less than 3M

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M

3M 55
INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)
~ column size – larger than 3M

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M

3M 56
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

MV = 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

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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 vertical coordination
main controlling dimensions

roof
Roof Zone

zone
Floor to
Ceiling Height

floor to
Window
Sill height
ceiling height
floor Floor
Zone

zone Floor to
Floor Height

storey height

Door Head
Height

Change of Floor Level

Fig 3-10 : Vertical Controlling Dimensions

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intermediate controlling dimensions

roof
Roof Zone

zone
Floor to
Ceiling Height

window
head height floor to
Window
Sill height
window sill height ceiling height
Floor

floor zone
Zone

Floor to
Floor Height

storey height

door head
Door Head
Height height

Change of Floor Level

Fig 3-10 : Vertical Controlling Dimensions

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modular design rules - summary

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 components and finishes

building parts - perceived as components

building process = assembling of components

influencing factors :

 positions and sizes of components

 tolerances allowed between them and
their coordinating spaces

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 components and finishes
designing with components structural components
 columns
must be conceptualised early
 beams
in design stage
 floor slabs
bearing on choice of planning  walls
grids and approaches
 staircases and lift cores

non structural components

 cladding
 partition

 doors, windows

finishes
 ceiling finishes

 floor finishes

 wall finishes
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 modular rules for 3-D component

monolithic 3-D components

components are dimensioned and placed
inside, within the horizontal and vertical
planning module

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 modular rules for 3-D component

non-monolithic 3-D components

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.

MIIE 2006 70
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

MIIE 2006 71
DISPLACEMENT OF GRID PLANNING
beams
 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

MIIE 2006 72
beams
 floor zone without false ceiling
- distance between base of beam and
floor slab must be modular to accommodate
the components below

Window Head
Height

Floor to Floor Height

MIIE 2006 73
floor slabs
Top of Floor Zone Floor Finish

Screed

 depth in sub-modular Slab

increments of 0.5M or
Composition
0.25M of Floor Zone

Service Space
 precast slab-fit into
structural grid :12M
False Ceiling

Bottom of Floor Zone

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
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floor below
precast floor slabs

 width – multiples of n x 3M, n x 6M, n x 12M

 thickness – within module zone of n x M
 length - coordinating size in multiples of
n x 3M

width n x 3M
n x 6M
n x 12M

n x 3M

nxM
adaptation area
Alternative 1

n x 3M

nxM
MIIE 2006 75
Alternative 2
 walls
 precast load bearing walls
 length of walls determined by planning grid

 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
COMPONENT WALLS
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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
MIIE 2006 77
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 n x 3M

COORDINATING n x 3M
SILL HEIGHT

COORDINATING WINDOW SIZE

MIIE 2006
n x 3M
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lift cores

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lift & lobby

MIIE 2006 80
lift cores
 external dimensions be modular to relate to
n1 x 3M

other elements n2x 3M

 more than one lift - whole assembly is treated as a

single element SINGLE LIFT

n1 x 3M

n1 x 3M

n2x 3M n2x 3M

SINGLE LIFT LIFTS AND LOBBY

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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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stairs

n x 3M

n x 3M

PLAN
n x 3M
TOP OF FLOOR ZONE

FLOOR ZONE
n x 3M

SECTION
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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
STRUCTURAL FLOOR
LEVEL COORDINATING PLANE

nxM
STRUCTURAL FLOOR
LEVEL

VERTICAL DISTANCES BETWEEN COORDINATING COORDINATING PLANE

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

EXAMPLE 1 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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cladding within structure – axial planning

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cladding outside structure – face planning

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corners and re-entrant angles

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cladding outside structure – axial planning

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cladding outside structure – face planning

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corner & re-entrant angles – axial planning

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corner & re-entrant angles – face planning

MIIE 2006 94
2M thick partitions

1M thick partitions 95
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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THANK YOU

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