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MODULAR COORDINATION

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MODULE – why ?

increase in demand

modern industrial societyeconomic growth

dynamic developmentrapid expansion

increase in standards increase in expectation

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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

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MODULAR OFFERS

• dimensional coordination - simplify & clarify

• limitation of variants in dimensions…. promotes

• Standardization…. permits

• Prefabrication…. encourages

• industrialization increase production through increased productivity

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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rhythm in architecturemonotony and tedium

principle of repetition

architectural masterpieces

creativity and flexibility

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rhythm in architecturemonotony and tedium

principle of repetition

architectural masterpieces

creativity and flexibility

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Many of nature’s form are composed of IDENTICAL ELEMENTS– yet the effect is far from monotonous

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modular coordination

an international standarisation of dimensioning system

principal aim

to achieve dimensional compatibility

between building dimensions, span, or spacesand the sizes of components or equipment

by using related modular dimensions

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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

○

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the use of modules

M = 100 mm Basic modulethe 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

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the use of modules

Mh = 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

Mv = 1M (100 mm)

vertical planning module

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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

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For small scale drawings to clarify relationship between components - 1M x 1M

1M

1M

Basic Multi Modular Grid

basic modular grid

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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

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nM

nM

Square Multi Modular Grid

multi modular grids

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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 n’M

tartan grids

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Tartan Grid

nM n’M

tartan grids

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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

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modular grid &

modular components

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positioning of building elements

design

selection of components

design of components

decisions concerning position, dimensions, performance

production scheduleassembly of components

construction

components architectural

designstructural designservices design

structural components

non structural components

finishes

BUILDING PROCESS

productiontransportation

Installation

manufacturers suppliers

designers manufacturers suppliers

designers contractorsmanufacturers suppliers

catalogues of components

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• 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

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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

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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

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coordinates the position and dimension of building component by a reference

interaxial grid

interaxial reference

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flush gridmo

du

lar

zon

e

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

Flush Reference

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Coordinating Size

coordinating spaces - accommodate components with allowance for joints and tolerances

work size + one joint

work size

coordinating size

½ joint

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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

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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

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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

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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

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preferred sizes

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communication

mc aids communication between participants in building process through established :

basic principles terminology drafting conventions

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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

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drafting conventions

modular reference plane

modular axial plane

modular coordinating dimensions

non modular zone

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hierarchy of planning

not always possible to completely use modular preferred dimensions and sizesdue 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

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Determines positioning & dimensioning of main building components

modular design rules

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main building components

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MH = 3M (300mm)

Facades are placed flushed on the outside

to a modular reference plane

external

internal

n x 3M

planning approaches horizontal planning

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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)

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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

t1

BOUNDARY PLANING (Alternative 2)

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

n x 3M

n x 3M

Partitions

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facades are always placedon the outside of the modular line

external

n x 3Minternal

for crosswalls (structural) or columns, use alternative 1 oralternative 2

n x 3M

t1

BOUNDARY PLANNING

n x 3M

3M

INTERAXIAL PLANNING

partitions are placed flushed to the modular line

n x 3M

n x

3M

horizontal planning - summary

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~ 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)

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~ 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)

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n x 3M

inserted wall panel

running wall panel

t1

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

BOUNDARY PLANNING (Alternative 2)

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MV = M (100mm)Floors are placed within a modularfloor zone of n X M increments

Floors to floor heights are vertically placed n X M increments

n3 x Mn1 x M

n2 x M

vertical planning

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main controlling dimensions

intermediate controlling dimensions

vertical controlling dimensions

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Roof Zone

WindowSill height

ZoneFloor

HeightDoor Head

Change of Floor Level

Floor to Floor Height

Ceiling HeightFloor to

Fig 3-10 : Vertical Controlling Dimensions

roof zone

floor zone

floor to ceiling height

storey height

vertical coordination

main controlling dimensions

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Roof Zone

WindowSill height

ZoneFloor

HeightDoor Head

Change of Floor Level

Floor to Floor Height

Ceiling HeightFloor to

Fig 3-10 : Vertical Controlling Dimensions

roof zone

floor zone

floor to ceiling height

storey height

door head height

window head heightwindow sill height

intermediate controlling dimensions

vertical coordination

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modular floor plane coinciding with upper surface of floor covering

vertical planning

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Modular floor plane coinciding with upper surface of rough floor

Modular floor plane coinciding with upper surface of structural floor

vertical planning

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modular design rules - summary

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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

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designing with components

must be conceptualised early in design stage

bearing on choice of planning grids and approachesstructural

components• columns• beams • floor slabs • walls• Staircases• lift cores

non structural components

o claddingo partitiono doors, windows

Finishes• ceiling finishes• floor finishes• wall finishes

components and finishes

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

monolithic 3-D components

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monolithic 3-D components

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• 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

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non-monolithic 3-D components

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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

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BOUNDARY PLANNING

DISPLACEMENT OF GRID PLANNING

n x 3M

n x 3M

n x 3M

n x 3M

n x 3M

columns

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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

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Floor Zone

Beams with false ceiling

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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

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Window Head Height

Floor to Floor Height

Beams without false ceiling

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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

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Composition of Floor Zone

Screed

Slab

Service Space

False Ceiling

Bottom of Floor Zone

Top of Floor Zone Floor Finish

Floor slabs

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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

nxM

n x 3M

n x 3M

nxM

Alternative 1

Alternative 2

width n x 3Mn x 6Mn x 12M

Precast floor slabs

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adaptation area

nxM

n x 3M

n x 3M

nxM

Alternative 1

Alternative 2

width n x 3Mn x 6Mn x 12M

Precast floor slabs

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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

77COMPONENT WALLS

precast load bearing

Walls

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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 3M1

n x 3M2

Doors

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Floor Zone

n x 3M1

n x 3M2

Doors

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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

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COORDINATING WINDOW HEIGHT

COORDINATING SILL HEIGHT

n x 3M

n x 3M

n x 3M

COORDINATING WINDOW SIZE

windows

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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

3M

n x

3M

n x 3M

PLAN

stairs

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SECTION

TOP OF FLOOR ZONE

FLOOR ZONE

n x 3M

n x

3M

n x

3M

n x 3M

PLAN

stairs

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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 3M1

n x 3M2

n x 3M1

n x 3M2

LIFTS AND LOBBY

SINGLE LIFT

n x 3M1

n x 3M2

n x 3M1

n x 3M2

Lift cores

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LIFTS AND LOBBY

SINGLE LIFT

n x 3M1

n x 3M2

n x 3M1

n x 3M2

LIFTS AND LOBBY

SINGLE LIFT

n x 3M1

n x 3M2

n x 3M1

n x 3M2

Lift cores

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Example - Plan

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Example - Elevation

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floor zone

window head ht

window sill ht

Example - Window

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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

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HDB PREFABRICATION TECHNOLOGY CENTRE

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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

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Buildable Features

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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

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YUSOF ISHAK SECONDARY SCHOOL

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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

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THE FRENCH SCHOOL

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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

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WOODSVALE

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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

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NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD CENTRAL REPOSITORY

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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

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POPOVICH HALL - THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

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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

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THE KING FARM OFFICE BUILDING

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THE EMORY UNIVERSITY PARKING DECK

Project commended for the ability to transform a difficult façade into a work of art. The window and bay patterns create a rhythm along the façade developing a human scale not often found in parking decks.

The architectural façade is express as an applique to the concrete structural frame in a contemporary and genuine fashion was well done

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THE EMORY UNIVERSITY PARKING DECK

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THANK YOU