MODULAR

COORDINATION

MODULAR DESIGN RULES

IBS OUTREACH PROGRAM 2010

Typical Working Drawing

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 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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basis of modular
coordination
the use of modules

M M
2 4
for sizing of components requiring
increment smaller than M

submodules

not for planning modules

for displacement of different
modular grids
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basis of modular coordination

reference system to define

2 coordinating spaces and zones for

a

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
1

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

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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

positionin
&
g
dimensioni
of
ng
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

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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

MIIE 2006

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horizontal coordination - summary

n x 3M

external

n x 3M
internal

n x 3M

facades are always placed

on the outside of the modular
line

for crosswalls (structural)

or columns, use alternative
1 or
alternative 2

n x 3M

n x 3M

t1

3M
INTERAXIAL
PLANNING

partitions are placed

flushed to the modular
line

BOUNDARY
PLANNING

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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
3M

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INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)

~ column size less than 3M

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M
3M

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INTERAXIAL PLANNING (Alternative 1)

~ column size larger than 3M

running wall panel

inserted wall panel

n x 3M
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

n1 x M

n3 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 to
ceiling height

Window
Sill height

Floor
Zone

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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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
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

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

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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

MIIE 2006
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

MIIE 2006

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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

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floor slabs
Floor Finish

Top of Floor Zone

Screed

depth in sub-modular
increments of 0.5M or
0.25M
precast slab-fit into
structural grid :12M

Slab

Composition
of Floor Zone
Service Space

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
xM
length - coordinating size in
multiples of n x 3M

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

nxM

n x 3M

Alternative 1

adaptation area

nxM

n x 3M

MIIE 2006

Alternative 2

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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

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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

MIIE 2006

n x 3M

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lift cores

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lift & lobby

MIIE 2006

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lift cores
external dimensions be modular to relate to
other elements
n1 x 3M

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

n x 3M

FLOOR ZONE

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
COORDINATING PLANE

nxM

STRUCTURAL FLOOR
LEVEL

STRUCTURAL FLOOR
LEVEL

VERTICAL DISTANCES BETWEEN COORDINATING

PLANES SHALL BE MULTIPLES OF 1 M

COORDINATING PLANE

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

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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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