Typical Working Drawing

MODULAR
COORDINATION

MODULAR DESIGN RULES

IBS OUTREACH PROGRAM 2010

Modular Coordination WD

What is modular
coordination
(MC)?

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: 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.

MC is about dimensioning
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basis of modular coordination

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

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.
not for the structural framework
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modular coordination design rules

basis of modular coordination

the use of modules

1. basic module

M = 100 mm

Multi modules

2. horizontal planning module

MH = 3M (300mm)
3. vertical planning module

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

planning modules for main dimensions

of framework especially the span
(horizontal dimensioning)

MV = M (100mm)

4. reference systems for

positioning of components
and spaces
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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

reference system to define coordinating

spaces and zones for building elements and
assemblies

basis of modular coordination

Graphic Conventions
Dimensioning Lines

a system of points, lines

and planes - grids

used mainly during

planning / design stage

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Basic Symbols

Zone & Spaces

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basis of modular coordination

ZONES
o

zone

wall zone
o

floor zone
o

roof zone

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horizontal controlling dimensions

basis of modular coordination

Controlling Reference System
o

controlling plane.

controlling zone.

controlling dimension.

modular floor plane.

floor to floor height.

o
o

floor to ceiling height.

height of floor zone

o
o

floor to roof height

height of roof zone.
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vertical controlling dimensions

basis of modular coordination

Component Reference System

Coordinating Line

Coordinating Plane

Coordinating Space

Coordinating Dimensions

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Coordinating Size
Adaptation Space

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the building component & controlling past

basis of modular coordination

Building Component Sizing

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Component
A building product formed as a distinct unit.

Modular Component
A component whose coordinating sizes are modular.

Element
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
An element whose coordinating sizes are modular.

Preferred Dimension
A dimension chosen in preference to others for specific purposes.

Preferred Size
A size chosen in preference to others for specific purposes.

Work Size (manufacturing dimension)

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grid reference

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
boundary grid

placement of component within

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 middleaxis 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

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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

horizontal coordination

Cross walls and structural frames (beam and column) are

placed according to two alternatives:-

MH = 3M (300mm)
Facades

INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)

the structural part of the component is placed at the axis
between two modular reference planes spaced at 3M apart.

are placed flushed on the outside to

a modular reference plane

external
3M

n x 3M
n x 3M
internal
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horizontal coordination

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horizontal coordination
Partitions

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)

are placed flushed on either side of the

modular reference plane or line

t1
n x 3M

n x 3M
n x 3M

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MIIE 2006

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horizontal coordination - summary

INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)
external

n x 3M

~ running wall panels can always be modular

~ column placed axially distance between axial is modular

n x 3M
internal

~ column size less than 3M or larger

~ if columns are modular, inserted wall panels can be modular

n x 3M

facades are always placed

on the outside of the modular line

partitions are placed flushed

to the modular line

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M

n x 3M

for crosswalls (structural) or

columns, use alternative 1 or
alternative 2
n x 3M
t1

3M
INTERAXIAL
PLANNING

BOUNDARY
PLANNING

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3M

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INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)

INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)

~ column size less than 3M

~ column size larger than 3M

running wall panel

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M

n x 3M
3M

3M

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BOUNDARY PLANNING (Alternative 2)

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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

~ if technical size is not modular, inserted wall panels are

modular but running wall panels cannot be modular
running wall panel

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M

n x 3M

modular size

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

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main controlling dimensions

vertical coordination

roof
zone

R o o f Z o n e

F lo o r to
C e ilin g H e ig h t

main controlling dimensions

floor to
ceiling height

W in d o w
S ill h e ig h t

floor
zone

intermediate controlling dimensions

F lo o r
Z o n e

storey height

F lo o r to
F lo o r H e ig h t

D o o r H e a d
H e ig h t

C h a n g e o f F lo o r L e v e l

F ig 3 - 1 0 :

V e r t ic a l C o n t r o llin g D im e n s io n s

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intermediate controlling dimensions

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modular design rules - summary

roof
zone

R o o f Z o n e

F lo o r to
C e ilin g H e ig h t

window
head height
window sill height

floor to
ceiling height

W in d o w
S ill h e ig h t

F lo o r
Z o n e

floor zone

storey height

F lo o r to
F lo o r H e ig h t

D o o r H e a d
H e ig h t

door head
height

C h a n g e o f F lo o r L e v e l

F ig 3 - 1 0 :

V e r t ic a l C o n t r o llin g D im e n s io n s

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components and finishes

components and finishes

structural components
columns

designing with components

building parts - perceived as components

must be conceptualised early

in design stage

building process = assembling of components

bearing on choice of planning

grids and approaches

influencing factors :

beams

floor slabs
walls
staircases and lift cores

non structural components

positions and sizes of components

tolerances allowed between them and
their coordinating spaces

cladding

partition

doors, windows

finishes
ceiling finishes

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modular rules for 3-D component

floor finishes

wall finishes

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modular rules for 3-D component

non-monolithic 3-D components

monolithic 3-D components

components are dimensioned within the horizontal

and vertical planning modular increments.

components are dimensioned and placed

inside, within the horizontal and vertical
planning module

the load bearing and self bearing parts if any,

are on the outside of the modular planes.

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columns

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beams
basic dimensions - 3M / multiples of 3M

beam

dimensions fit into modular grid planning structural grid

dimensions are for finished dimensions

n x 3M

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

n x 3M

n x 3M

n x 3M

B O U N D AR Y P LAN N IN G

F lo o r Z o n e
n x 3M

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D ISP LAC EM EN T O F G R ID P LAN N IN G

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beams

floor slabs

floor zone without false ceiling

- distance between base of beam and
floor slab must be modular to accommodate
the components below

Top of Floor Zone

Floor Finish
S creed

depth in sub-modular
increments of 0.5M or
0.25M

precast slab-fit into

structural grid :12M

S lab

C om position
of Floor Zone
S ervice S pace

False C eiling
B ottom of Floor Zone

W in d o w H e a d
H e ig h t

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

F lo o r to F lo o r H e ig h t

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precast floor slabs

walls

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

precast load bearing walls

thickness within module zone of n x M

length of walls determined by planning grid

length - coordinating size in multiples of

n x 3M

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

w id th n x 3 M
n x 6M
n x 12M

nxM

n x 3M

a d a p ta tio n a re a

A lt e r n a tiv e 1

nxM

n x 3M

MIIE 2006

COMPONENT WALLS

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A lt e r n a t iv e 2

doors

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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

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

COORDINATING
WINDOW HEIGHT

n x 3M

n1 x 3M
COORDINATING
SILL HEIGHT

COORDINATING WINDOW SIZE

n2 x 3M
Door Component

MIIE 2006

n x 3M

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MIIE 2006
n x 3M

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lift cores

lift & lobby

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lift cores

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stairs

external dimensions be modular to relate to

other elements

length of flights and landing dimensions

are modular

more than one lift - whole assembly is treated as a

single element

goings, risers and widths of flights are as

required by statutory requirements

n1 x 3 M

n1 x 3M

n2x 3M

stairs located in between floor

coordinating line

n2x 3 M

SINGLE LIFT

top of stair coincides with top of floor

zone

L IF T S A N D L O B B Y

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stairs

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plan of stairs

n x 3M

n x 3M

PLAN
n x 3M
TO P O F FLO O R ZO N E

n x 3M

FLO OR ZO NE

S E C T IO N

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section through stairs

stairs
coordinating dimensions for stairs and stair openings
C O O R D IN A T IN G P L A N E

nxM

STR UCTURAL FLO O R

LEVEL

STR UCTURAL FLO O R

LEVEL

V E R T IC A L D IS T A N C E S B E T W E E N C O O R D IN A T IN G
P L A N E S S H A L L B E M U L T IP L E S O F 1 M
T H E C O O R D IN A T IN G P L A N E S F O R L O C A T IO N O F
FLO O R S SHALL BE R ELATED 10 STRUC TURAL
FLO O R LEVELS

EXAM PLE 1

C O O R D IN A T IN G P L A N E

EXAM PLE 2

E X A M P LE 3

E X A M P L E S T O IL L U S T R A T E T H E
A P P L IC A T IO N O F T H E P R IN C IP L E S O F
M O D U L A R C O O R D IN A T IO N

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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

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

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2M thick partitions

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adaptation pieces

1M thick partitions 95

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component assembly with adaptation piece

adjusted wall

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door component

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window component

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HDB Sembawang N3C6 Typical Apartment Plan

Tanglin View
Private Residential Block

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THANK YOU

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