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Modular demonstration house Ottawa, 1957
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA
DIVISION OF BUILDING RESEARCH
THE MODULAR DEMONSTRATION HOUSE, OTTAWA, 1957
by
S. R. Kent
ANALYZE^
(School of Architecture, University of T o r onto)
Internal Report No. 307 of the
Division of Building R e s e a r c h
OTTAWA
P R E F A C E
The i n t e r e s t of the Division of Building R e s e a r c h , NRC, in the application of Modular Coordination to building in Canada i s shown by the steadily growing l i s t of Divisional publications on t h i s subject, and by the l e c t u r e s and other educational e f f o r t s of t h e author of this p r i v a t e r e p o r t , P r o f e s s o r S. R. Kent of the School of Architectur e l University of Toronto, with the support of t h e Division.
Jointly with C e n t r a l Mortgage and Housing Corporation, it was decided in 1957 t o study the p r o b l e m s that would a r i s e in the application of the modular s y s t e m t o c o n t e m p o r a r y Canadian house design and construction. T h i s r e p o r t p r e s e n t s a r e c o r d of the experience thus gained and the Division is grateful t o P r o f e s s o r Kent and to those who a s s i s t e d him for t h i s m o s t useful compilation.
It will b e s e e n that the experiment w a s u s e f u l chiefly in bringing t o light f a c t o r s t o be watched m o r e carefully, and dif-
ficulties t o be avoided i n any f u t u r e modular house construction.
DBR/NRC
hopes t o b e able t o u s e t h i s experience t o good effect in f u r t h e r modular developments.The fact that t h i s r e p o r t deals with a p r o j e c t that was not too successful d i r e c t l y is no r e f l e c t i o n a t a l l on any of those who participated in the work
- -
the r e v e r s e , in f a c t , since s o much can b e gained by finding the difficulties in such a p r o j e c t a s t h i s , if t h e s e a r e p r o p e r l y recorded. It i s f o r t h i s r e a s o n that the Division is glad to include this R e p o r t in i t s i n t e r n a l r e p o r t s e r i e s .Ottawa March 1965
R o b e r t
F.
Legget D i r e c t o r ,DBR/NRC
THE MODULAR DEMONSTRATION HOUSE, OTTAWA, 1957
S . R . Kent
The need for designing and building a h o u s e t o demon- s t r a t e t h e u s e of modular dimensional coordination w a s d i s c u s s e d i n a m e e t i n g of r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m the National House B u i l d e r s Association (NHBA), Centr a1 Mortgage and Housing C o r p o r a t i o n (CMHC) and the Division of Building R e s e a r c h (DBR) of the National R e s e a r c h Council, held in Ottawa on 1 4 J a n u a r y 1957. It w a s a g r e e d t h a t M r . George Hipel of t h e NHBA and P r o f . S. R. Kent of the DBR would work together (with a n a r c h i t e c t to be appointed by CMHC) with the view of developing the application of modular coordination t o a pilot h o u s e t o be built in Ottawa. The findings f r o m t h i s p r o j e c t would be m a d e known t o b u i l d e r s .
PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES
B e c a u s e a l l t h o s e c o n c e r n e d w e r e involved in another p r o j e c t
- -
the Budget R e s e a r c h House- -
t h e modular d e m o n s t r a t i o n house w a s delayed until a m e e t i n g on 5 July 1957 when it w a s a g r e e d that CMHC would engage a n Ottawa a r c h i t e c t t o a s s i s t i n thep r e p a r a t i o n of t h e design and working drawings. On 24 J u l y 1957, M e s s r s . Walter B a l l (DBR), S a m u e l G i t t e r m a n and Andrew Hazeland (CMHC), and P r o f e s s o r Kent m e t and a g r e e d on the g e n e r a l r e q u i r e - m e n t s f o r t h e p r o p o s e d house and the a r e a s of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h o s e participating. Following t h i s meeting, t h e G r e a t e r Ottawa House B u i l d e r s Association of NHBA appointed A. B. T a y l o r Construction Limited a s the builder and CMHC engaged Gilleland and S t r u t t a s t h e a r c h i t e c t s .
T h e f i r s t full m e e t i n g of a l l the p a r t i c i p a n t s in t h e p r o - ject w a s h e l d on 28 August 1957; t h e following w e r e p r e s e n t :
W. G. Connelly and A. B. T a y l o r of A. B. T a y l o r Construction L i m i t e d ; A. Hazeland of CMHC; W. H. B a l l and S. R. Kent of DBR; and
J.
S t r u t t of Gilleland and S t r u t t , A r c h i t e c t s . Complete a g r e e m e n t w a s attained a t t h e meeting concerning the building p r o g r a m .BUILDING PROGRAM
Site
-
The building lot proposed by the builder was located in one of h i s p r o j e c t s , "Copeland P a r k , I ' which i s west of the Merivale Road and n o r t h of the Baseline, in Ottawa. The lot, a t 1202 G r e y Rock C r e s c e n t , c o r n e r of Glenmount, w a s 60 ft wide, 100 ft deep and valued a t $3, 000. 00.
House
The r e q u i r e d accommodation in the house was t h r e e o r four bedrooms and one and one -half b a t h r o o m s with other r o o m s , such a s s e p a r a t e living and dining r o o m s , . left to the d i s c r e t i o n of the architect. The Committee e x p r e s s e d the d e s i r e that if possible a room for family activities and television be provided. T h e plan type could be single - s t o r e y , one-and-one -half s t o r e y , o r two - s t o r e y , with or without b a s e m e n t o r with lower floor one-half s t o r e y below g r a d e .
T h e c o s t p r i c e of the house was not to exceed $14,000.00. T o guide the a r c h i t e c t in determining the s i z e of house that could be built within t h i s selling cost r a n g e , the following f i g u r e s w e r e e s t a b - lished for s q u a r e foot c o s t of livable floor a r e a (i. e. s t o r a g e s p a c e , utility s p a c e , heating s p a c e , etc. a r e not to be costed):
One - s t o r e y house with b a s e m e n t $1 3. 00 p e r s q ft Two - s t o r e y house w i t h b a s e m e n t $10. 50 p e r s q ft Split level $11. 50 p e r s q f t Two-storeywithout b a s e m e n t $10. 50 p e r s q ft M a t e r i a l s
F o r the p u r p o s e of demonstrating coordination of dimensions, a s many types a s possible of conventional buil.ding units w e r e t o be
utilized
-
the e x t e r i o r walls below g r a d e w e r e t o be c o n c r e t e block, with s u p e r s t r u c t u r e of wood f r a m e with b r i c k veneer. ( C o n c r e t e blocks w e r e not used, however, a s explained l a t e r . )Modular P r i n c i p l e s
It was recognized f r o ~ n the beginning that the construction of one house would not be sufficient t o indicate fully the savings inherent in t h e u s e of modular p r i n c i p l e s . T o obtain maximum benefit f r o m the study, each of the p a r t i e s concerned was a s k e d , t h e r e f o r e , to p r e p a r e a r e p o r t on h i s phase of the operation. The a r c h i t e c t was asked to
indicate the effect which modular coordination, with the u s e of modular details, had on the designing and drafting in h i s office. T h e builder was asked t o p r e p a r e a r e p o r t e x p r e s s i n g h i s opinion on the value of
modular coordination. It was thought that a s i m i l a r r e p o r t might be obtained f r o m the group of m a n u f a c t u r e r s who w e r e involved in supplying products o r components f o r t h i s house.
Financing
The A.
B.
Taylor Construction Limited was t o be r e s p o n s i b l e for the e r e c t i o n and s a l e of the house on the b a s i s of construction cost of $17, 000. 00 f o r land and house. If any f e a t u r e s w e r e i n c o r p o r a t e d in the proposed design which, in the opinion of the builder, might i n c r e a s e h i scost beyond this figure, they w e r e to be reviewed by the C o m m i t t e e before construction began. Modification in the design o r provision for financial subsidy would then be made to the s a t i s f a c t i o n of t h e builder. ( P l a n s of the house and construction details will be found in F i g u r e s
1 t o 5. )
The builder was to obtain financing through h i s n o r m a l channels and, if refused, CMHC would attempt to a s s i s t in financing.
P u b l i c i t y
The m a n u f a c t u r e r s of the p r o d u c t s proposed f o r use w e r e to be asked not t o a d v e r t i s e the u s e of t h e i r products in the house until the f i r s t publicity r e l e a s e on the p r o j e c t w a s made. T h e Committee would be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r e a r l y i s s u e s of publicity m a t e r i a l and the
R e s e a r c h Committee of NHBA f o r a m a j o r r e p o r t to the Annual Convention of the NHBA in J a n u a r y 1958.
Accepted Design of the House
The design submitted by the a r c h i t e c t and subsequently a g r e e d t o by the Committee was almost s q u a r e in plan, 2 5 ft 4 in. by
4 f t 0 in. below grade. T h e upper s t o r e y contained a living r o o m and a s e p a r a t e dining-family r o o m , both of s i m i l a r s i z e , a kitchen with b r e a k f a s t a r e a , and a two-piece wa,shroom adjacent to the s e r v i c e door. D o o r s f r o m the dining-family r o o m opened on a balcony, with s t e p s to g r a d e , a t the r e a r of the house. The lower s t o r e y contained four bed
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r o o m s , a 3-piece bathroom, s t o r a g e r o o m and a l a r g e c l o s e t for the furnace and water h e a t e r . T h e m a i n e n t r a n c e vestibule w a s midway between s t o r e y s and adjacent to the m a i n e n t r a n c e was a c a r p o r t . T h e construction was of b r i c k veneer on wood, f r a m i n g felt and g r a v e l roofing, and wooden sliding windows.P r o g r e s s of Work
It was anticipated t h a t working drawings would be p r e p a r e d before the end of September 1957 and that a p p r o v a l s and financing
a r r a n g e m e n t s would be completed i n t i m e t o p e r m i t substantial work on the p r o j e c t before winter. Meetings of the p a r t i c i p a n t s w e r e held on
6
and 11 September to review sketch plans submitted by Mr. S t r u t t and on 10 October t o approve working drawings ( F i g u r e s 1 t o5).
At t h e l a s t meeting Mr. Connelly r e q u e s t e d the a s s i s t a n c e of CMHC i n expediting the a p p r o v a l s for financing.T h e excavating was begun in l a t e November 1957. When t h e designed depth of 4 ft
6
in. for the footings was r e a c h e d , the soilcontained much organic m a t e r i a l and was of irlsufficient b e a r i n g capacity. T h e footings w e r e then lowered t o approximately 9 ft t o obtain soil of n e c e s s a r y b e a r i n g strength. T h i s additional depth r e q u i r e d t h e
foundation walls to be i n c r e a s e d t o 12-in. -thick c o n c r e t e block o r t o be made of r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e . The builder p r e f e r r e d t h e l a t t e r due t o the likelihood of cold weather delaying the setting of blocks. Another change r e s u l t i n g f r o m t h i s situation was t h e construction of the lower floor with wood j o i s t s over a c r a w l s p a c e in p l a c e of the p r o p o s e d c o n c r e t e floor s l a b on soil.
Between C h r i s t m a s and the end of the f i r s t week in
J a n u a r y 1958 the wood s t r u c t u r a l f r a m e w o r k was e r e c t e d and the h o u s e roofed, sheathed, and closed in. T h e a b n o r m a l l y mild weather then ended, and work on t h e p r o j e c t was stopped. In M a r c h t h e laying of the b r i c k veneer began and f r o m then on work p r o g r e s s e d v e r y slowly with insulation being installed in m i d - A p r i l and p l a s t e r i n g beginning e a r l y in May. I n t e r n a l t r i m was delayed until m i d - J u n e when one of t h e builder's b e t t e r c a r p e n t e r s was available. I n t e r i o r painting began in August.
F i g u r e s
6
to 12 show views of t h e completed house and photographs taken during construction.When the p a r t i c i p a n t s knew the house would not b e
completed by at l e a s t m i d - s u m m e r , it w a s a g r e e d to delay the official opening until National Home Week in the f a l l . In September 1958 t h e house was opened to the public and although r e f e r r e d t o a s the "Modular House, no advantage was taken of the opportunity to i n f o r m v i s i t o r s of the dimensional coordination f e a t u r e s of t h e construction.
OBSERVATIONS
(1) T h e building p r o g r a m w a s c a r r i e d out s u c c e s s f u l l y without s e r i o u s e r r o r s o r any a l t e r a t i o n due t o t h e modular method.
( 2 ) T h e a r c h i t e c t did not experience s p e c i a l design
p r o b l e m s ; although the house m a y be c o n s i d e r e d unconventional, t h i s is due t o the repetition in the lower o r sub-grade floor of the l a r g e - s i z e windows used in the upper f l o o r , and not b e c a u s e of any demands of the 4-in. coordination s y s t e m .
( 3 ) The modular m a s o n r y was laid with unusual uniformity
in width of joints, and with the a b s e n c e of s m a l l cut b r i c k s .
(4) T h e builder e s t i m a t e d 5 t o 10 p e r cent saving in the m a s o n s 1 t i m e and probably 5 p e r cent in l a t h e r s 1 t i m e . ( F u r t h e r c o s t c o m p a r i s o n s w e r e not p o s s i b l e due t o a b n o r m a l s u b s u r f a c e conditions, s o m e wintertime construction, m o r e skilled c r a f t s m e n a s s i g n e d to the demonstration house for p r e s t i g e p u r p o s e s and the year-long work schedule. )
(5) The p r o j e c t was not completed under n o r m a l working conditions. As t h i s house was a "special" one, the workmen did not appear to work "normally" and tended t o be m o r e c a r e f u l and slower than usual; despite t h i s t i m e was saved in s o m e t r a d e s a s noted above.
( 6 )
T h e r e was an absence of wasted m a t e r i a l on t h e job, e s p e c i a l l y of brick.( 7 ) The b r i c k m a s o n s found the 8-in. s t o r e y pole v e r y useful but they did not u s e horizontal guide t a p e s t o maintain positions in the modular g r i d a s the b r i c k was uniform in s i z e and this c o n t r o l w a s u n n e c e s s a r y .
(8) The c a r p e n t e r s laid out dimensions a c c o r d i n g t o the modular drawings but then took t i m e t o check t h e i r w o r k by t h e i r old methods.
( 9 )
The builder c o n s i d e r e d that b e c a u s e of the coordination of s i z e s of components, the s u b t r a d e s w e r e able to follow one another with g r e a t e r e a s e than usual.(10) The modular m a t e r i a l s w e r e slightly m o r e costly. ( A s m a l l c h a r g e w a s m a d e for f a b r i c a t i n g P i e r s o n windows t o modular dimensions. T h e L.
E.
Shaw Co. Ltd. of Halifax supplied the modular b r i c k a t a l o c a l p r i c e . )(11) T h e operational organization of the builder w a s i n t e r r u p t e d b y the s e p a r a t i o n of r e c o r d s for a single s p e c i a l house.
(12) T h e final construction c o s t exceeded the e s t i m a t e d construction c o s t .
(13) B e c a u s e construction began l a t e in the y e a r and then closed down over t h e winter m o n t h s , a w o r k schedule w a s not s e t up.
(14) T h e builder's f o r e m a n who had been i n s t r u c t e d i n the modular techniques a t t h e beginning of the job w a s t r a n s f e r r e d to other jobs and construction w a s c a r r i e d out without d i r e c t supervision. T h e DBR consultants w e r e seldom on the p r o j e c t due t o t h e a b s e n c e of a work schedule and w e r e not on hand during the dimensional layout w o r k for foundations, wood f r a m i n g , and m a s o n r y work.
(15) Shop drawings and o r d e r s f o r f a b r i c a t e d modular components w e r e seldom checked by the a r c h i t e c t modular consultant, but no s e r i o u s d i s c r e p a n c i e s a r o s e .
E F F E C T S ON CONSTRUCTION ATTRIBUTABLE T O THE MODULAR SYSTEM
Specific c o m p a r i s o n t o c u s t o m a r y building techniques w a s difficult due t o the m a n y unusual p r o b l e m s and f a c t o r s that a r o s e , m a n y of which w e r e c a u s e d b y the extended c o n s t r u c t i o n t i m e . The following g e n e r a l effects, however, m a y b e stated.
(1) T h e a p p e a r a n c e of the m a s o n r y w a s b e t t e r t h a n adjacent h o u s e s b e c a u s e of the n e a t , uniform width of bed and head m o r t a r joints
and the a b s e n c e of s m a l l p i e c e s of cut brick. ( S i m i l a r uniformity i s p o s s i b l e with non -modular b r i c k only when the d i m e n s i o n s a r e c a r e f u l l y calculated and detailed. )
( 2 ) T h e r e w a s a n a b s e n c e of w a s t e d m a t e r i a l s on the job s i t e , e s p e c i a l l y of b r i c k .
( 3 ) A c l o s e l y coordinated work schedule for the t r a d e s a p p e a r e d p o s s i b l e when the components of the v a r i o u s t r a d e s fitted together.
(4) Labour t i m e could be saved t o the extent of 5 t o 1 0 p e r cent w h e r e r e p e a t e d units, such a s b r i c k and l a t h , w e r e of modular dimensions.
( 5 ) Workmen took additional t i m e in confirming modular dimensions by c u s t o m a r y checking p r o c e d u r e s until they b e c a m e f a m i l i a r with the dimensioning s y s t e m on the modular working drawings.
DISCUSSION O F PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING A MODULAR DEMONSTRATION HOUSE P R O J E C T
S o o n s o r s h i ~ and Administration of P r o i e c t
The idea of DBR and CMHC initating a r e s e a r c h p r o g r a m involving a builder a p p e a r s t o be d e s i r a b l e and sound. T h e s e
o r g a n i z a t i o n s , h o w e v e r , w e r e a b l e t o provide only i n d i r e c t financial support through the s e r v i c e s of t h e i r p e r s o n n e l o r engaged p e r s o n n e l such a s the a r c h i t e c t . F i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e could not b e provided for t h e builder's operational l o s s e s . At t h e f i r s t meeting of CMHC and DBR it w a s proposed that CMHC would u n d e r w r i t e l o s s e s by the builder but to the w r i t e r ' s knowledge t h i s w a s not f i r m l y e s t a b l i s h e d with ;he builder. It i s probable that the c o s t s t o the builder of keeping
s e p a r a t e r e c o r d s would exceed any other e x t r a c o s t s . In a n y c a s e the builder did not m a k e an i s s u e of t h e point. It i s indeed a c r e d i t t o M r . T a y l o r for taking the view that the value t o the i n d u s t r y and t h e a d v e r t i s i n g to A. B. Taylor Construction Ltd. would offset h i s additional expenditures. P e r h a p s t h i s i s " e n t e r p r i s e , " but one s e n s e s t h e p r o j e c t
m u s t be a s u c c e s s f u l e n t e r p r i s e o r the p a r t i c i p a n t s r e v e r t t o t h e i r c u s t o m a r y p r o c e d u r e s when the p o s s i b i l i t y of financial 10s s b e c o m e s evident. F o r a government agency o r building a s s o c i a t i o n to s e l e c t a builder on any other t e r m s i s undoubtedly unfair.
Selection of Builder
A p r o j e c t builder a s opposed to a s m a l l volume builder w a s s e l e c t e d b e c a u s e modular coordination will be the m o s t beneficial t o the builder r e l y i n g on a l a r g e volume of p r e f a b r i c a t e d components. Such a builder n e c e s s a r i l y h a s a highly organized office, g e a r e d to a n
with e x p e r i m e n t a l d e t a i l s for one house and a l s o to confine a p r o j e c t f o r e m a n to a single house i s e i t h e r financially unsound o r p h y s i c a l l y inconvenient. If the p r o j e c t i s to be undertaken in a n u r b a n a r e a , h o w e v e r , w h e r e m o s t of the land i s under development by a p r o j e c i builder, t h e r e i s no a l t e r n a t i v e but to r e l y on such a p e r s o n .
T h e r e a p p e a r t o be two o t h e r p o s s i b l e a r r a n g e m e n t s : 1. T h e house b e s i m i l a r in a l l r e s p e c t s t o the
p r o j e c t builder's n o r m a l h o u s e s , except t h a t the design i s based on the modular
s y s t e m . The n e c e s s a r y drawings and i n s t r u c t i o n s l o f o r e m e n would be provided by t h o s e in c h a r g e of the r e s e a r c h p r o g r a m . 2. T h e house be designed by t h e r e s e a r c h staff
and s u b c o n t r a c t a l l t r a d e s t o the b u i l d e r ' s p r o j e c t s u b c o n t r a c t o r s . F o r e a s e in com
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p a r i n g c o s t s and efficiency in work the design should be s i m i l a r t o the b u i l d e r ' s h o u s e s . The p r o j e c t builder would p a y a l laccounts ( c o n t r a c t s ) authorized by the r e s e a r c h office, up io an a g r e e d m a x i m u m surn. The r e s e a r c h a u t h o r i t y would p a y t h e balance. T h e p r o j e c t builder would own t h e house on completion.
Design of the House
As publicity for modular coordination
-
and a l s o publicity for the builder as h i s m a j o r payment-
was d e s i r a b l e , i t w a s a g r e e d t h a t t h e house should be well designed, but conventional, in o r d e r t o show that modular coordination was applicable t o existing design and construction. CMHC p r e f e r r e d an economical 4-bedroom house and the a r c h i t e c t achieved t h i s but unusual r o o m a r r a n g e m e n t r e s u l t e d . T h u s the house was different f r o m o t h e r s in the b u i l d e r z s p r o j e c t of Copeland P a r k and h e developed i t into a show-piece, using only h i s b e s t workmen when they w e r e available. T h i s w a s one factor con- tributing t o the a b s e n c e of a w o r k schedule.T h e adaption of a number of existing d e s i g n s to the modular s y s t e m would appear to be p r e f e r a b l e .
P r e p a r a t i o n of the P r o j e c t
The p r o j e c t was conceived in J a n u a r y i n conjunction with a n experimenLa1 house by the NHBA. In J u l y , the decision w a s made that i t shoulii p r o c e e d a s a s e p a r a t e v e n t u r e . T o begin a building p r o j e c t at ihat t i m e of y e a r in the hope of completion b e f o r e w i n t e r , r e q u i r e s expedient action in a l l a s p e c t s of the p r o c e s s . T h i s
s o r t of action i s seldom p o s s i b l e in a development p r o j e c t involving m a n y organizations. T h e decision t o p r o c e e d w a s b a s e d p r i m a r i l y on the d e s i r e t o r e p o r t the p r o j e c t a t t h e annual meeting of the NHBA in J a n u a r y 1958.
Modular C o m ~ o n e n t s
T h e only modular component that w a s dimensioned in a c c o r d with CSA A-31 w a s the b r i c k . Windows w e r e of modular s i z e but no c l o s e attention w a s paid to t o l e r a n c e s ; the s a m e w a s t r u e f o r
sheathing and lath. It had been a g r e e d that existing components would be u s e d w h e r e v e r possible.
Had t i m e , financial a r r a n g e m e n t s , and s u p e r v i s i o n p e r
-
m i t t e d , it would have been useful t o c a r r y out c a r e f u l detailing t o modular s i z e , and checking on the m a n u f a c t u r e of the wall sheathing, plywood, door and window components, c l o s e t s , kitchen cupboards and c o u n t e r s , shelving, floor and wall t i l e , ceiling t i l e , heating ductwork and g r i l l s , plumbing f i x t u r e s and piping.Figure
6
Front
viewof
completed house. W h e r e pssefbBemasonry
panels
w e r eused unperforated
bywindows
toeliminate
cracking due t oshrinkage
sf wood frame structure a supporting such windows.Figure 7
Rear viewof
house. The balcony w a s originally designed t o extendthe
fullwidth
ofthe
windows but the committee thought the bedroom windows behowwould
be
excessivaiy shielded, The double d s o r ePeading
to the balcony from the living roam a r e narrowerthan
usualin
order $0 b i t the same w i d t hFigure
8Applying
thebrick
veneer in early April 1958.This
methad sf setting
up
cornerspresented no difficulty
in
uniform joint widths. Mote the non-modular scaf- fold.Figure
$ The precast w ~ n d u w sills w e r e c a s t exactly to modular lengths without aslbowances f o rthe
joints. This meant exceeding their modular space. Enthis
picturethe
creeping is s k b ~ ~ m at the left window mu$$ion and at
the
right
end built into the massnry.
The foundation wall was also made
t o
modular dimen- sionsand
the brickwork had tobe
exmtended flushwith
the surface of
the wall.
Figure
10 Detail ofthe
precast sill crowdinginto the
spaceof
another component,
The
sill could havebeen
thicker
Figure 1 1
Photos of adjacent house
in
builders
s project. Notevariation in width of brick
joints
and fitting
0%sill
into the masonry.
APPENDIX I
On 29 A p r i l 1958, M r . W.G. Connelly r e p l i e d t o quesLions f r o m P r o f . Kent a s follows:
INSTRUCTION O F THE MODULAR PRINCIPJXS
1. Was the s h o r t briefing of your foreinan, p r i o r to the beginning of construction of f he house, adequate?
Answer: T h e s h o r t briefing given t o our superintendent p r i o r t o the beginning of the modular house was sufficient i n s o f a r a s c l e a r i n g up the c o r r e c t i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of the modular drawing. Unfortunately, however, he was unable t o devote s u f f i c i e n ~ t i m e to t h i s p a r t i c u l a r house s o that his information or instruction was not used to the extent that should have been possible. Also we have t o take into consideration Ihe f a c t that a s superintendent for the p r o j e c t h e did no^ have t h e t i m e t o go over a l l the details
with the c a r p e n t e r or c a r p e n t e r s c a r r y i n g out the work and of c o u r s e was not quite a s well equipped to i n s t r u c t in the p r o p e r u s e of the modular principle.
2. Is i t sufficient for the f o r e m a n alone to be briefed or should instruction be given t o the workmen a l s o ?
Answer: It would be sufficient p e r h a p s for a f o r e m a n alone to be briefed provided he was concentrating h i s e f f o r t s a l m o s t
e n t i r e l y on the one p a r t i c u l a r house or even a group of modular houses a s b a s i c a l l y the modular s y s t e m begins with the layout
of the house, which n o r m a l l y i s the f o r e m a n or l e a d m a n t s responsibility. It would be of value, however, for the o r d i n a r y c a r p e n t e r to r e c e i v e s o m e background information and have s o m e of the benefit of the modular principle explained to him.
3. If the workmen a r e t o be i n s t r u c t e d should t h i s be done by the f o r e m a n or by someone e l s e with m o r e complete knowledge of the t h e o r y of modular planning?
Answer: I believe m y a n s w e r s in 1. and 2. point out the need for other than the s u p e r i n t e n d e n ~ or f o r e m a n i n s t r u c t i n g the c a r p e n t e r s . It would definitely be of benefit t o have someone with a m o r e complete knowledge of t h e t h e o r y of modular planning working a s well a s i n s t r u c t i n g the men. I would like t o r e i t e r a t e the word "working, " not n e c e s s a r i l y with h a m m e r
and saw but r a t h e r with t h e m while the work is being c a r r i e d out.
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
1. In the c o n s t r u c t i o n of your h o u s e w e r e the d r a w i n g s followed in d e t a i l ?
A n s w e r : T h e drawings w e r e followed in d e t a i l i n s o f a r a s w a s p r a c t i c a b l e in the light of the change t h a t had t o be m a d e in t h e -
ground floor c o n s t r u c t i o n b e c a u s e of s o i l conditi.ons e n c o u n t e r e d . T h e r e w e r e one o r two o t h e r p l a c e s w h e r e deviations o c c u r r e d but t h e s e w e r e of a m i n o r n a t u r e .
2 . Did the w o r k m e n h a v e confidence in the new s y s t e m o r did t h e y tend t o r e v e r t t o t h e " f a m i l i a r ? "
A n s w e r : I don't f e e l that t h e w o r k m e n had confidence in t h e new s y s t e ~ n although our s u p e r interident h i m s e l f w a s quite e n t h u s i a s t i c . I think p e r h a p s you w e r e a w a r e of the a v e r a g e t r a d e s m a n ' s
feeling t o w a r d new o r different c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o c e d u r e s . H e p r e f e r s t h e old known ancl t r i e d m e t h o d s and h a s t o be shown and thoroughly convinced. T h i s o c c u r r e d d u r i n g the c o n s t r u c t i o n of the modular h o u s e in t h a t the c a r p e n t e r s doing t h e layout r e v e r t e d to the s t a n d a r d c a r p e n t e r ' s r u l e . T O s o m e e x t e n t , h o w e v e r ,
t h i s m i g h t be a t t r i b u t e d t o t h e f a c t that i t w a s d r i l l e d into t h e t r a d e s m e n that e v e r y d e ~ a i l had t o be c l o s e l y watched and t h a t a c c u r a c y in the layout w a s of u t m o s t i m p o r t a n c e . I feel t o o that the fact of t h i s being a h o u s e which w a s by way of a n e x p e r i m e n t and s u b j e c t t o f a i r l y c l o s e s c r u t i n y on the p a r t of CMHC, DBR and t h e a r c h i t e c t , t h e c a r p e n t e r s w e r e inclined t o t a k e a good d e a l m o r e c a r e in following t h e d i m e n s i o n s and d e t a i l s .
3. On a p r o j e c t of t h i s type should t h e r e be s o m e o n e on t h e job m o s t of t h e t i m e o r for p a r t i c u l a r s t a g e s of ;he p r o j e c i who could keep a c o n s t a n t c h e c k on the w o r k m e n and a s s i s t t h e f o r e - m a n ?
A n s w e r : A s s i s t a n c e and d i r e c t i o n would be of
articular
value a t t h e following s t a g e s : installaLion of foundations and during t h ec o u r s e of layoul and f r a m i n g of the h o u s e . Beyond t h i s , I c a n s e e no p r o b l e m a r i s i n g which would r e q u i r e m o r e than the odd v i s i t a s t h e r e s t of t h e p i e c e s going i n t o t h e h o u s e f a l l into t h e p l a c e s p r e d e t e r m i n e d by the foundation and t h e f r a m i n g .
AIDS
A n s w e r : I p r e v i o u s l y mentioned that the modular r u l e was not used alone but r a t h e r u s e d and then checked with t h e s t a n d a r d c a r p e n t e r ' s r u l e . It would r e q u i r e a n educational p r o g r a m during a c t u a l c o n s t r u c t i o n on t h e u s e of the modular r u l e showing up i t s advantages.
2 . A r e the modular l i n e s l i k e l y to be of a s s i s t a n c e t o t h e b r i c k l a y e r s ?
A n s w e r : I don" s e e any p a r t i c u l a r a s s i s t a n c e gained through the u s e of the modular l i n e s when you a r e able t o u s e skilled t r a d e s m e n on b r i c k laying. T h e s t o r e y pole, h o w e v e r , i s an a b s o l u t e n e c e s s i t y .
ADVANTAGES
1. Which t r a d e s w e r e a s s i s t e d ? Which w e r e h i n d e r e d ? In which no c h a n g e s ? In what w a y s ?
A n s w e r : The b r i c k l a y e r and s h e e t r o c k applicator w e r e a s s i s t e d by the u s e of the m o d u l a r p r i n c i p l e . I don't believe any t r a d e s w e r e hindered. I n s o f a r a s t h e m e c h a n i c a l t r a d e s w e r e c o n c e r n e d t h e r e w e r e no changes.
2. Is it p o s s i b l e for you t o e s t i m a t e the p o s s i b l e t i m e s a v i n g s and t h u s money saving for a p a r t i c u l a r t r a d e ?
A n s w e r : I a m a f r a i d that any e s t i m a t e I m a d e on p o s s i b l e t i m e saving would b e m o r e of a 'Iguestimate. " B e c a u s e of the
c i r c u m s t a n c e s outlined e a r l i e r , our a c ~ u a l c o s t in c a r p e n t r y w o r k was g r e a t e r than it would be in a s t a n d a r d h o u s e p l a n of the s a m e given a r e a . T h e saving in t i m e of t h e b r i c k l a y e r would p r o b a b l y amount t o between 5 and 100/0. A somewhat l e s s e r saving, p r o b a b l y in the neighbourhood of not m o r e than
50/0, was effected by the gyproc a p p l i c a t o r .
MATERIALS
1. Were t h e r e p r o b l e m s in obtaining modular b r i c k s , windows and other c o m p o n e n t s ?
Answer : T h e only p r o b l e m in obtaining m o d u l a r b r i c k was t h a t the m a t e r i a l had t o be o r d e r e d f r o m one m a n u f a c t u r e r in Canada who was located in the P r o v i n c e of Nova Scotia. T h i s p r e s e n t e d
no difficulty for one h o u s e , p a r t i c u l a r l y a s t h e r e was no deadline t o m e e t nor s c h e d u l e s for i t s completion. It would, h o w e v e r , p r e s e n t a p r o b l e m on an over - a l l p r o j e c t u n l e s s a l a r g e s t o c k p i l e of b r i c k w a s located in the i m m e d i a ~ e vicinity. T h e windows p o s e d no p r o b l e m other than t h e r e w a s a s u r c h a r g e for cutting
g l a s s and f r a m e s t o s p e c i a l s i z e .
2 . D i d t h e w o r k m e n f i n d a n y o f t h e m a w k w a r d i n s i z e o r s h a p e ?
Answer: T h e workmen did not find a n y of the components awkward in e i t h e r s i z e o r shape.
REACTIONS O F WORKMEN
1. W e r e t h e workmen i n t e r e s t e d in s y s t e m and i t s r e s u l t s ? A n s w e r : T h e r e was a m i l d i n t e r e s t shown on the p a r t of the t r a d e s m e n
-
nothing s p e c t a c u l a r . I think p e r h a p s i t was a i m e d m o r e t o w a r d s t h i s being a unique house and of c o n t e m p o r a r y s t y l e r a t h e r than the modular p r i n c i p l e i t s e l f . I f e e l p e r h a p s t h a t m o r e i n t e r e s t was e n g e n d e r e d on t h e p a r t of o u r s u p e r i n - tendent and myself in that we can and do s e e t h e a d v a n t a g e s of the s t a n d a r d i z a t i o n thus allowing t h e s u b t r a d e s t o follow one another with a m o r e coordinated effort.CONTRACTOR REACTION
1. Can you s u g g e s t any advantages and disadvantages t o the s m a l l builder and the p r o j e c t builder in the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of a
c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t ?
Answer: I think the advantages o r d i s a d v a n t a g e s of t h e modular p r i n c i p l e would be equal for both t h e p r o j e c t builder and the
s m a l l b u i l d e r . T h e advantages could p e r h a p s be weighed slightly i n favour of the p r o j e c t builder in t h a t the p r i n c i p l e of modular c o n s t r u c t i o n h e l p s t o s t a n d a r d i z e and t h u s i m p r o v e t h e production. Also wastage i s a g r e a t e r f a c t o r on a p r o j e c t .
The disadvantages I f e e l would about b a l a n c e out in that t h e s m a l l builder would have t o r e v a m p a s m a l l o p e r a t i o n for a r e l a t i v e l y
s m a l l gain, w h e r e a s the p r o j e c t builder would h a v e t o g e a r up a g r e a t e r n u m b e r of changes and h a v e m u c h c l o s e r s u p e r v i s i o n a t the c r i t i c a l points during c o n s t r u c t i o n .
CONCLUSIONS BY A. B. TAYLOR
1. Would you duplicate t h i s h o u s e ?
Answer:
I
don't f e e l thatI
would duplicate t h i s house a s a speculative venture.2. Do you p r o p o s e t o make any u s e of such e x p e r i e n c e a s you m a y have gained in t h i s f i r s t modular p r o j e c t ?
Answer: We p r o p o s e t o m a k e u s e of e x p e r i e n c e gained in the f i r s t modular p r o j e c t not n e c e s s a r i l y working e n t i r e l y t o the 4" module but r a t h e r working to the module of the b r i c k available to u s in the i m m e d i a t e a r e a and b y eliminating a s f a r a s
possible a l l f r a c t i o n s in our c a r p e n t r y . In other w o r d s , we hope t o imbody the principle of a modular design around the p r o d u c t s which a r e available t o u s a s s t a n d a r d manufactured p r o d u c t s , i. e.
