Module Basic Definition : A repetition of a standard unit of space and form.
The Ancient Greeks :
Adopted the modular concept in their architecture systems proportioning the Classical Orders, the chosen module was half the diameter of the column measured at its base, divided into 30 equal parts. (as mentioned in the 10 books of architecture). The roman architect Vitruvius advised the within a temple a certain part should be selected as a standard...The size of a Doric temple should be equal to the width of a triglyph.
Triglyph : a tablet in a Doric frieze with three vertical grooves alternating with metopes.
Ancient China:
*Yingzao Fashi: Twelfth-Century Chinese Building Manual.
The Yingzao Fashi (Chinese: 營造法式; pinyin: yíngzàofǎshì; literally: "Treatise on Architectural Methods or State Building Standards") is a technical treatise on architecture and craftsmanship written by the Chinese author Li Jie (李誡; 1065–1110),the Directorate of Buildings and Construction during the mid Song Dynasty of China. A promising architect, he revised many older treatises on architecture from 1097 to 1100. By 1100, he had completed his own architectural work, which he presented to Emperor Zhezong of Song. The emperor's successor, Emperor Huizong of Song, had the book published in 1103 in order to provide a unified set of architectural standards for builders, architects, and literate craftsmen as well as for the engineering agencies of the central government.With his book becoming a noted success, Li Jie was promoted by Huizong as the Director of Palace Buildings.
-Wikipedia
*Qing Structural Regulations (清式营造则例) is a monograph on Qing dynasty architecture by the Chinese architect Liang Sicheng, first published in 1934.
Liang based his research of Qing dynasty architecture on the 1734 Qing dynasty Architecture Method (Qing Gongcheng Zuofa Zeli 清工程做法则例) of the Qianlong era. He also consulted several craftsmen's manuscripts which had been handed down from generation to generation, and he sought guidance with the palace restoration craftsmen in Beijing. The Forbidden City was the subject of an intense object of study, which he documented with modern drawings and a large number of photographs taken by himself and by his wife. In the end, Liang deciphered a large amount of obscure jargon, making it intelligible to students of architecture, and clarifying the structural characteristics of ancient Chinese architecture.
Tatami: Tatami mats are thick, woven straw mats that measure about one by two meters in size. Originally a luxury that only the wealthy could afford, tatami gradually became more common and can now be found in virtually all traditional Japanese homes. Tatami mats have been so integral to Japanese homes, that the size of rooms in Japan is commonly measured by the number of mats that would fit it, e.g. an 8-mat room. Note that footwear - even slippers - should be removed before stepping onto tatami.
European Architecture :
Believed to have attuned the buildings from the cosmos and the Human body, to the 'rational' requirements of industrial construction, based on books published by the French architect Jean-Nicolas-Louis Durand .
-Recueil et parallèle des édifices de tout genre, anciens et modernes : remarquables par leur beauté, par leur grandeur, ou par leur singularité, et dessinés sur une même échelle by J.N.L. Durand. pub. D. Avanzo; (1830?)
- Précis des leçons d'architecture données à l'École royale polytechnique by J.N.L. Durand. pub. Chez l'auteur; (1809)
He laid down the methods of architecture today, Le Recueil offered 92 'precedent studies' to facilitate analysis and emulation of histroical buildings with the same functional program.
- Le Précis dealt with the modern needs hygiene and health, administration and justice, education and politics.
Ernst Neufert :
One of the most influential book (Architect's Data) first published in 1936, which was widely translated and emulated, systematizing architectural knowledge.
Modularity has inspired a lot of architects towards a more poetic vision such as Jean Prouve and Moshe Safadie.
References :
100 Ideas that Changed Architecture: Richard Weston - Amazon.com
https://amzn.to/3opHEeM
The Ancient Greeks :
Adopted the modular concept in their architecture systems proportioning the Classical Orders, the chosen module was half the diameter of the column measured at its base, divided into 30 equal parts. (as mentioned in the 10 books of architecture). The roman architect Vitruvius advised the within a temple a certain part should be selected as a standard...The size of a Doric temple should be equal to the width of a triglyph.
Triglyph : a tablet in a Doric frieze with three vertical grooves alternating with metopes.
 |
| Triglyph: The Parthenon |
*Yingzao Fashi: Twelfth-Century Chinese Building Manual.
The Yingzao Fashi (Chinese: 營造法式; pinyin: yíngzàofǎshì; literally: "Treatise on Architectural Methods or State Building Standards") is a technical treatise on architecture and craftsmanship written by the Chinese author Li Jie (李誡; 1065–1110),the Directorate of Buildings and Construction during the mid Song Dynasty of China. A promising architect, he revised many older treatises on architecture from 1097 to 1100. By 1100, he had completed his own architectural work, which he presented to Emperor Zhezong of Song. The emperor's successor, Emperor Huizong of Song, had the book published in 1103 in order to provide a unified set of architectural standards for builders, architects, and literate craftsmen as well as for the engineering agencies of the central government.With his book becoming a noted success, Li Jie was promoted by Huizong as the Director of Palace Buildings.
-Wikipedia
*Qing Structural Regulations (清式营造则例) is a monograph on Qing dynasty architecture by the Chinese architect Liang Sicheng, first published in 1934.
Liang based his research of Qing dynasty architecture on the 1734 Qing dynasty Architecture Method (Qing Gongcheng Zuofa Zeli 清工程做法则例) of the Qianlong era. He also consulted several craftsmen's manuscripts which had been handed down from generation to generation, and he sought guidance with the palace restoration craftsmen in Beijing. The Forbidden City was the subject of an intense object of study, which he documented with modern drawings and a large number of photographs taken by himself and by his wife. In the end, Liang deciphered a large amount of obscure jargon, making it intelligible to students of architecture, and clarifying the structural characteristics of ancient Chinese architecture.
 |
| Revolving-Buddhist Sutra Case, Yingzao Fashi (1103) |
 |
| Traditional Japanese Houses used standard tatami mats as a planning module |
Tatami: Tatami mats are thick, woven straw mats that measure about one by two meters in size. Originally a luxury that only the wealthy could afford, tatami gradually became more common and can now be found in virtually all traditional Japanese homes. Tatami mats have been so integral to Japanese homes, that the size of rooms in Japan is commonly measured by the number of mats that would fit it, e.g. an 8-mat room. Note that footwear - even slippers - should be removed before stepping onto tatami.
European Architecture :
Believed to have attuned the buildings from the cosmos and the Human body, to the 'rational' requirements of industrial construction, based on books published by the French architect Jean-Nicolas-Louis Durand .
-Recueil et parallèle des édifices de tout genre, anciens et modernes : remarquables par leur beauté, par leur grandeur, ou par leur singularité, et dessinés sur une même échelle by J.N.L. Durand. pub. D. Avanzo; (1830?)
- Précis des leçons d'architecture données à l'École royale polytechnique by J.N.L. Durand. pub. Chez l'auteur; (1809)
He laid down the methods of architecture today, Le Recueil offered 92 'precedent studies' to facilitate analysis and emulation of histroical buildings with the same functional program.
- Le Précis dealt with the modern needs hygiene and health, administration and justice, education and politics.
Ernst Neufert :
One of the most influential book (Architect's Data) first published in 1936, which was widely translated and emulated, systematizing architectural knowledge.
Modularity has inspired a lot of architects towards a more poetic vision such as Jean Prouve and Moshe Safadie.
 |
| Moshe Safdie habitat 67, (Montreal, Canada) |
References :
100 Ideas that Changed Architecture: Richard Weston - Amazon.com
https://amzn.to/3opHEeM
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2007.html
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8746667
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