Modular Architecture

Modular architecture involves assembling multiple pre-fabricated modules on site to create a working unit. By joining similar elements together in various ways, this building method allows for more flexibilities in design and standardized repair. Modular system has changed the construction industry.

In Malaysia, Modular Construction System or Offsite Manufacturing were included in Industrialised Building System (IBS). I do agree that modular construction system will be an option over conventional system as it is more cost and time saving. However, it might have some downside such as less aesthetic quality, design that is not fully context or user specific and so on.

This is our case study of timber pavilion by Kengo Kuma. The pavilion's geometric roof is made from inverted triangles assembled into a cloud-like shape that can expand or shrink without limit.

For timber pavilion competition, we have chosen modular timber construction as our approach. The reason why is because the pain point of normal timber construction is 1) lack of skilled labour for construction and mantenance work, 2）expensive in terms of transportation and processing fee. To solve this, the approach is to maximise performance of timber construction method and minimize the impact towards environment, and to investigate the timber modular structure for better flexibility.