Le Corbusier
intended to establish a universal system for well-proportioned dimensions for
architecture and mechanics compatible with the average human size.
He envisioned
setting it up on the construction location which will eventually be integrated
nationally, a “grid of proportions”, laid out on the board or table, which the
whole project will follow as a guide, a standard set of dimensions for the
mason, carpenter, joiner to refer to whenever they take measurements for their
task. It was his dream to unify all the items they create, may they vary and
differ.
He elaborated
on what he called a Proportioning Grid. It demonstrates a set of numbers,
figures, and diagrams. He wanted them to be prepared in both foot-and-inch and
the metric system if it was ultimately bound to act as a foundation during the
assembling of components of a structure.
Proportioning
Grid was given the name “Modulor”. It serves as a measuring aid based on the
average person anatomy and math.
Le Corbusier
draws a man with his arm raised, showing the area that he takes up at
determining spots—foot, abdomen, head, fingertips of the raised arm—three
intervals giving rise to a series of golden sections, called the Fibonacci
series.
similarly, in
Malay traditional way of measuring unit, they used the human body as a
referencing point to construct an ergonomics of everyday necessities or to
construct the Malay house. Specifically, each part of the human body breakdowns
is then translated into Malay dwelling architecture.
However, with
mathematics, we have a simple and effective variation of value: the single
unit, the double unit, and the three golden sections.
The “Modulor”
has manifested to provide an endless amount of combinations with the helping
hand of numbers and mathematics.
Le Corbusier
was then required to modify his figures to adjust to others' utilization. The
reason being the figures presented on the first strip and numerical table was
based on the metric system, making it unconvertable into feet and inches. It
was essential to find whole values for feet and inches if the “Modulor” was to
be the international union for mass production.
One of Le
Corbusier’s associates, Py, mentioned during their search for a solution
regarding the height of the man used in the “Modulor”. He brings up the concern
that they were using an average height measurement of a French(1.75m). Whereas,
an average English man’s height was 6ft idealistically. When applied to a
certain standard, the “Modular” was translated into round figures in feet and
inches. The “Modulor” broke the barrier between the users of meter and
foot-and-inch by converting the figures automatically.
In conclusion, The
“Modulor” is a measure based on mathematics and the human scale to carry tasks
more efficient as well as how the Malay builders have
their own referencing point. A measure should be
large than too small, in order that the article created on the idea of that
measure should be appropriate for use by all. having that said, a standardized unit of measurement helps us to
design a better and suitable environment applicable to everyone.
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