Download (357Kb) - FAB Institutional Repository - UTM

The table 1 below is a conversion table of the ‘depa’ units to the metric equivalent. The table will be used as a
basis to search for the modular pattern existed in the TMH under study.
Table 1. The ‘depa’ units of measure and their metric equivalents(Ariffin, 2001)
3. PROBLEM STATEMENT - ISSUE
The concept of modularity in TMH has long existed since the beginning of the TMH history. It was well manifested
through it façade treatment and spatial arrangement with the underlying ‘rules’ and principles. But most of the
knowledge on TMH are the implicit once. Some afford has been taken by researchers to make this knowledge explicit.
Previous studies has illustrated that the façade treatment of the TMH were based on certain ‘rules’ (Abidin, 1982). The
rules will underlie the attributes and the characteristic of TMH. A study on order in TMH also had been carried out to
established a theory that the form of TMH was produced by a complex integration of ordering principles, manifested in
its building conventions (Ariffin, 2001). These studies are very important to ensure relevancy, continuity and survival
of TMH in the future.
This research therefore, is to study the modular pattern that the TMH poses and to relate to the current development in
modular concept in the construction industry which associated itself with modular design, prefabrication and
industrialisation (CIDB News). The research is divided into two aspects, i.e. 1. Modular component of the TMH and 2.
Modular spaces.
4. METHODOLOGY
This research requires a thorough study on the dimensioning system of TMH. Modular Coordination (MC) design rules
were adopted as a tool for measuring dimension and analysis (Table 2). MC is itself a tool for dimensional coordination
and standardization. MC is a method of sizing the dimensions of building components and of building on the basis of a
Basic Module. And international basic module is M, where M=100mm.(Crocker, 1971; Martin, 1965).Therefore, a
number of examples have been selected randomly from a pool of short listed TMH that has fulfilled all the attributes
required that determined the authenticity of the TMH such as, age, house type, roof form etc. A case study on four
houses was proposed. (Table 3)
Table 2. MC design rules and references
Plan of a building showing a use of multimodules to
relate structure and cladding
Key reference planes for floors, ceilings and
-6-