Le Modular: The handsome man's Scale

The modular is a system which is devised for endless possibilities of combinations with just simple and connectable forms. The world is divided into imperial and metric calculation system, the modular claims to be the saving grace of the division between the 2 systems. It only uses a single unit, double unit, and the golden section. The scale was represented with a 6-foot tall “handsome man” with a raised arm.




Personally, as a fan of the metric system, I disagree and felt slightly offended as to why is the logical system is being diminished to just a length. I believe it achieves its communication with all sides of building construction from engineers to contractors. In real life works, things won't be as perfect as a single or double unit. Inflections in the workmanship would adjust the data. To consider the small minor details are necessary.




But, as my interest in prefabrication grows, it is a great thinking and design process of having puzzle-like components to create structural pictures. What kind of designs should a universal modular be? Is it even achievable to have a universal all-in-one modular? If it’s just simple geometry, then isn't a brick considered the most basic modular, even the earliest maybe? If prefab is the future for buildings is The Modular too advance for us the current generation that is can only be understood and used in a future lifetime?



Gwendolyn Chan Mei Yee 1001749034

Excerpts From Le Modular, Le Corbusier

Figure 1: Le Modulor, the standing man with a raised arm.

"The Modulor" or Le Modulor created by the architect, Le Corbusier is an anthropometric scale of proportions that used to determine the unit proportions in architecture, technology, and his furniture design. Le Corbusier described "The Modulor" as a measure which based on human scale and mathematics, numbers and the blue and red lines. We can often see the presence of repeated silhouette appears: The Modulor Man in Le Corbusier's buildings and arts. The Modulor man is a six-foot man supposedly based on the height of the detectives in the English crime novels that LeCorbusier enjoyed. This system is based on three aspects: human measurements, the Fibonacci numbers, and the golden ratio.

Figure 2: The "Stele of the Measure" at the Unité d’Habitation in Marseille.

Le Corbusier created the Modular by following the Vitruvian Man that made by Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian polymath, and others attempt to figure out mathematical proportions in the human body and how it improves the architecture, furniture, art, and technology. Besides, the Fibonacci Numbers is about the sequence of number in which the first number is 0, the second number is 1, then the following number is equal to the sum of the previous two numbers of the sequence. Next, the Golden Ratio (1.618) also called as golden mean or golden section. The golden ratio talk about the ratio of two quantities is in Golden Ratio if the sum of those quantities and the larger one in the same as the ratio between the larger one and the smaller.

Figure 3: The Golden Ratio in geometry: Golden spirals

The Le Modulor has shown the Modular Man in six-foot height (about183cm) man with the raised arm (to 226cm) was placed into a square that the ratio from the height of the man (183cm;6') to the height of his navel (at midpoint of 113cm) was in a Golden Ratio. Based on the basic plot at the Le Modular are 113,70, and 43cm. When they combined, they will be other measurements that related to the Modulor. For example:43+70=113,113+70=183 and 113+70+43=22, the three results determine the space human body occupies.

Therefore, the Golden Ratio can be found in the Capital Complex in Chandigarh designed by Le Corbusier. Besides that, we can also see the Golden Ration from the facade of the Unite D'Habitation in Marseilles by Le Corbusier.

Figure 4: Capital Complex in Chandigarh with Golden Spirals.

Last but not least, I admire Le Corbusier's creativity and the courage to create what he felt is needed in the construction field and can help in the art field. He is a great artist to the architecture of the world although the Modular Man he created is not accepted by all.




Written by: Kong Yi Xuan 1001852931

LECTURER 02

LE CORBUSIER

Exerpts From Le Modulor

I think for Le Corbusier, what industry needed was a system of proportional measurement which would reconcile the needs of the human body with the beauty inherent in the Golden Section. If such a system could be devised, which could simultaneously render the Golden Section proportional to the height of a human, then this would form an ideal basis for universal standardization. What does standardization means? It is a prototype intended for mass production. I think in order to do that we need to set down in concrete form, ideas on the subject of a harmonious measure to the human scale and universally applicable to architecture. Proportioning grid is a good idea to serve as a basis for prefabrication. We can use this as initial idea to prefabricate the modular bus shelter that using the IBS (Industrial Building System) to construct. We can expressed our ideas by numbers, figures and diagram and it is quite meaningful in this way.

Standardization : "Quartier Modernes Furges" , Pessac , Le Corbusier (1923)

Modulor Man is a quite important element in this article.The Modulor Man is a healthy white male enhanced by mathematical proportional gimmicks ‘of nature’. Besides,it was meant as a universal system of proportions. The ambition was vast that it was devised to reconcile maths, the human form, architecture and beauty into a single system. This system could then be used to provide the measurements for all aspects of design from door handles to cities. The fundamental "module" of the Modulor is a six-foot man. This Modulor Man is segmented according the "golden section". These proportions can be scaled up or down to infinity using a Fibonacci progression. I think golden section is the mathematics offers the simplest and most powerful variation of a value. It is magnificent to include playing of mathematics while doing our bus shelter design now because it is modular design and we need different sizes of modular components to build up the structure.

Modulor Man

Villa Savoye

Le Corbusier no doubt is a famous architect, however someone will blame him for those theories promoting standardized high rise construction by using mass production method make the building become uninteresting. In fact until our century it become the most effective method to produce the buildings in a short time and produce myriad of multi-functional modular furniture. In the contrary, Le Corbusier is quite open when he notes that the Modulor has the capacity to produce designs badly. Ultimately he advises that use eyes to judge and can abandon the Modulor when it does not suit and persistently reminds people that since it is based on perception then its application must be limited by practical perception. I think this is a good point that when we are doing design, if it is not suitable we must find other way and do not bash one's head against a brick wall.

In short, it goes without saying that things that are in proportion to one another are naturally more pleasing to the eye. Mathematics is fascinating by putting the numbers, figures and the diagram together. Standardization and proportioning grid find it relatively simple to produce forms that were both commodious and delightful and would find it more difficult to produce displeasing or impractical forms. It is also further applied to the industry and mechanics nowadays. Le Corbusier's works displayed a wide variety forms and space by reformulating the theories and benefit the future generation now.


Written by Chiew Jing Yi, 1001644071

Le Modulor

Le Corbusier

‘Modulor’ or ‘Golden Module’ was derived from Proportioning Grid. This concept was discovered by Le Corbusier, define a standard measurement to certain building by applying human body proportion through mathematical solution. The present of Modulor principle has balanced the elements of a building, inspire consistent and precise creation and boost human to procure infinity findings. God has blessed human, enable human to relish such amazing wisdom, thinking the implementation of geometry and mathematic to the lifestyle.

Luca Pacioli has expressed his perspective on Golden Ratio in <Divina Proportione>, lead people to explore more about the rule. During Renaissance period, it was discovered that human body has been built according to golden rule. However, Golden Ratio actually has become part of our life. When we use the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to deposit, transfer or take money, we have neglected the debit or credit card is in golden rectangular design. It has equalize the overall card elements and make the scanned data more consistence. The advanced technology has also get touched with Golden Ratio, Jonathan Ive successful design―iPod is one of the extreme well-designed product as it is ubiquitous and place as the top ranking favourite product. This device has focus Golden Ratio as its basic shape. Thus, it seems like cool, unique and neat. Not merely technology world, several business and enterprise has include Golden Ratio in their logo design. For example, the significant Toyota have grid lines at certain separation to form phi-grid. This bring the logo have standardize design as it shows mirrored scene in the axis.

Toyota Logo in Golden Ratio

Proportion, guide people to calculate dimension in a straight way. It provide a sense of equivalence in size relationships within the human body. For building, identical façade has formed to emphasize the presence of repetition in addition to highlight the comfortableness and most special part of a building. In short, portion of the element is act as a whole.

Front Facade of building with proportion lines

Number is in intimate relationship with Modulor. Number allows measurement, promote calculation to be accomplished. In Golden Module, every single number has its meanings even nought do so. During the process of measuring and calculating digits, precise and accurate is consequential as a slight deviation will cause a great difference in the end. To have a better measures, it is invariably to experience, feel the building with worthy heart. Numbering, help human to classify a heap of alike elements, reminder on how many times we have repeat certain action, foster the development of science and stimulate spiritual awareness. 

In a nutshell, architecture should obey the Le Modulor rule. The application of golden section to the measurement has amplify how amazing geometry and mathematic could enhance the beauty of a building by appertaining the concept of proportion. A building should be treated like a human being although it has no breath. But, the structure are both same.

Building and human, unite!

Le Modulor: Golden Section

Written by Wong Rong Song,1001746688

Delirious New York by Rem Koolhaas

Delirious New York is the book of Rem Koolhaas which talked about Rem Koolhaas’s ‘Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan' assume New York as the arena for the terminal stage of Western culture. In the book, it wrote about remarkable history of the city and the ‘retroactive manifesto’ of the architecture and city planning. The content of the book is the special work of art which text work well with the illustration and many different types of writing.

Rem Koolhaas describes Manhattan as a ‘mythical island’ and declaring himself as the ghost writer of the city. For me, the most impressive thing in this book is he tells that the background of an urban experiment in which the city becomes a factory for man-made experiences, a laboratory to test the potential of modern life. Based on Rem Koolhaas, ‘Manhattanism’ is the one urbanistic concept that revels in ‘hyper density’ and is fuelled by the magnificence and suffering than come with the urban condition of man-made living. Using Manhattan as a example, this book is a blueprint of the congestion of culture.

The first part of the book talks about the overview history of the island that describes by a French artist as “A Utopian Europe” which regrouped from an existing component into a single location. The grid system in Manhattan predicted the future condition of the city; its restrictions gave way from two-dimensional to three-dimensional freedom, and the millions of people that it now houses were envisaged far before a tiny proportion were even present. That the area was filled up by the houses, shops even high rises has been divided by the road or street.

Written by Kong Yi Xuan, 1001852931

Delirious New York: Harsh Ecstasy

New York as we know it is a grid city with logical planning of avenues and street, a modern depiction of a cityscape. It optimizes tiny Manhatten maximum spaces with many modern designs and fast-paced movement happening. But in the end, nothing’s perfect and especially for Rem Koolhas who wrote “Delirious New York”. His writing on New York is harsh, it’s a very impactful piece to provoke thinking. To start, he stated New York as unrealized failures, with an expression full of ecstasy. An overwhelming pack of man’s wants and need is the embodiment of what New York is, pushing itself to a point of disconnect with reality.

Coney Island: the experimentation of our wildest dreams. It is such awe, as a physical representation of man's wildest dreams. To our generation, Coney island seems like a dated park, compared to many more popular theme parks with the latest design such as Universal Studio at Singapore or Tokyo Disneyland. With our childhood movies and favorite characters brought to life, it’s more known and attractive. But after knowing a bit of Coney’s history and with the input on Delirious New York, the pure desire of men to reach our fantasy has never shone brighter in history with such an achievement for that time.

Skyscrapers are evidence of elevated desires, elevated lives. Life was becoming more enriched in this Fantasy Pragnitism. Each skyscraper a city within a city with no concern of the nearing buildings. It reflects our modern society, where people can be self-centered and be fully submerged in their own bubble. But at the same time, all these all lead to a bombastic mass of culture, a culture of congestion. Such hyperdensity is a beautiful merge of personalities and emotions, the hopes and dream place into one entity.

For our project, one of the complaints by locals is the increasing amount of foreign workers. Many locals are not happy with how such huge masses have come into our country. The safety of their community has wavered. And it seems that there’s no proper solution figured out.

The theory of skyscraper as a utopian device, that allows life to be secluded but sufficient by the same entity. In my opinion, the idea is tempting to allow all parties to survive and to be able to choose there respective culture or surroundings they want to be in. It does quite dissolve the tension but complete place them out of each other’s sight. Such a system seems to be immoral or prehistoric what if the communities were not meant to mix or not even willing to be exposed to, is it right to push on such a social burden on the locals? The increasing crime rate has affected the local Chinese community near Pasar Sungai Chua, and mainly it's snatching incidents and love scams. Don’t they have a right to be peace on their own land? But would this solve the issue of tension or just ignite a new way of disconnect to life?

1001749034 Gwendolyn Chan Mei Yee

LECTURE 01

REM KOOLHAAS

Delirious New York: A retroactive manifesto for manhattan

New york is the most populous city in the United States which is great, astounding and miraculous place. New York—what visions of magnitude, variety and power the name New York conjures up for human comprehension. Buildings that house whole cities in themselves. We can say that New York is a wonderful city that made up my mind of all the exhilarating, diverse and inspiring things are here. It’s one of the hardest cities you’ll ever live in but if you survive you’ll never be able to live anywhere else.

New York City

This article is written about the bigness, power, drama and congestion, all of which, in Koolhaas's view are crucial to the city's identity. Congestion is in fact the vital key—it is the excitement and tension of crowding that are the leitmotifs for everything about New York, Koolhaas believes, inspiring both New York’s physical form and the way of life of its inhabitants.This also means that architecture generated the culture. Our site, Kajang is also developed gradually. Through my observation during weekends, the amount of transports coming to kajang are never ceased and there are more people taking the bus. I predict that kajang will developed into a new busy town with the culture and way of people's life now.

The City of Captive Globe

Through the simultaneous explosion of human density and an invasion of new technologies in New York, Manhattan became a mythical laboratory for the invention and testing of a metropolitan lifestyle: the Culture of Congestion and its architecture. This culture with the city block being the only source of organization amidst the chaos of rapid construction and change also reflects city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia now which is developed tremendously with high towers and skyscraper. Our bus stop near apartment Kajang Indah also have the culture of congestion during weekends compare to weekdays. One of the reason is the route of the bus is going to the MRT Kajang. The residents prefer going shopping or travelling around by free bus or cars during weekends.

Manhattan is testing which the entire city became a factory of man-made experience. We can see through the construction of some of its most well-known landmarks such as Central Park, Rockefeller Center and UN Building, there are mostly arranged or constructed in grid and repetitive that is prefabricated system. The Industralised Building System (IBS) in Malaysia is similar to the manhattanism that the city could be surrounded by the prefabricated items like the blocks in the future. Moreover, my understanding of Manhattanism is that it represents a reality in which extraordinary things happen when metropolitan density becomes extreme. In case of Manhattan, this effect is reinforced by a fixed space, on a micro level by the grid that surrounds the blocks.

Sunday at Sungai Chua Market

Koolhaas suggests that the “delirious” architecture of New York was irrational—fantasy was more important to the designers of New York’s great early skyscrapers than form following function. Koolhaas sets up styles as characters in a drama: New York is a flamboyant city whose architectural spirit is threatened by the powers of sober rationalism. I think fantasy become vital will increase the image of a city is no doubt but I still insist the function of the space and user experience must prior to the building form in design.

In a nutshell, instead of imposing some type of hyper rationalist, efficient, Utopian ideology on Manhattan, Koolhaas suggest that signs are essentially not read within an enlightenment sentiment anymore. It is about a flow of humanist desire. This may become a crisis in the future and you can imagine the whole country become a city of life that is extremely busy with robotic emotions. Our site Pasar Sungai Chua, Kajang is crowded with people in the recent year by the developed construction age. However, Kajang is still having a rural ambience compare to the city. I hope there is still naive in Kajang in the future because the robotic life will make the people become unconscious extremely with the behavior.


Written by Chiew Jing Yi, 1001644071