COMMENTARY

Architecture, Design And Modular Technologies

Modular technology, materials, and building systems are closely related to each other. In early architectural design, I have observed that architects, generally, rarely think of a building’s module system. This has become a major challenge as we start looking at modular and prefabricated technologies in Indonesia.

Modular technology, materials, and building systems are closely related to each other. In early architectural design, I have observed that architects, generally, rarely think of a building’s module system. This has become a major challenge as we start looking at modular and prefabricated technologies in Indonesia.

INDUSTRIALISATION IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Modular and prefabricated technologies have been developed in Indonesia since 2005 and are not only limited to building structure systems, but also architectural, landscape, interior or even utility material systems.

The industrialisation of building systems in Indonesia includes the following:

1.Non-structural building components
– With rational standards and technologies
– Easy to apply with modular coordination
2. Prefabricated building panels or structural components
– Can be processed at the factory and/or in the field
3. Technology for construction of walls, floors, roofs, etc.
– The use of special machines to cast and form concrete
4. Monolithic box units
– Usually produced in factories and can be packed in containers

Jakarta Velodrome International applies a modular system to the track structure and fabric façade

Modular construction technology is very helpful for architects in building design. For example, I find using the module box unit system for bathrooms, especially for budget hotel projects, very efficient. I also use modular technology for façades, such as glass-fibre reinforced cement (GRC) products, which have been developed to accommodate earthquake, acoustic and other systems. If the appearance of lightweight concrete panel products is less preferred, there are also aluminium composite panels (ACP) and other materials.


DR ANDI HARAPAN, ST, SIP, March.
Architect, Lecturer & General Manager, Bamko Karsa Mandiri (BKM)

Dr Andi is experienced in designing hotels, offices, housing, conventions and exhibitions, industrial building facilities, houses of worship, public buildings and recreation areas, malls and shopping centres, and master plans. He is also an operation director at PT BITA, running the company’s management, including BKM.

Andi is also a lecturer in the architecture department of Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM), Bandung. He has also carried out various research and writing related to architecture, including building technology related to modular technology in architecture.



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