Movement, Volume and Human in Space

This semester, we started by working on the Modulor system that Le Corbusier created in accordance with the proportions of the human body. To give some information about this subject, the main purpose of Modulor is to determine measurements suitable for human dimensions in architecture and design. Le Corbusier developed this measurement system in the 1940s, inspired by the Fibonacci series and the Golden Ratio principles. His aim was to design functional and aesthetic spaces suitable for human dimensions. He calculated this system on a model that was 1.83 m tall and reached 2.26 meters when he raised his arm.

There are two series in the system, red and blue. The difference between these two series is revealed in the areas where they are used. The red series is used in larger-scale architectural elements, since it takes the starting point of the human body as 1.08 meters; while the blue series is used in smaller details, furniture and interior designs, since it takes the starting point as 0.86 meters.

This scaling system has also caused some debates in the architectural community. First, it has been questioned whether this scale is universal. We all come across people of different heights every day and we all need spaces and materials of different sizes. Therefore, the question of whether to use a flexible scale or a standard scale has come to the fore.

Secondly, this system has inspired mass production and prefabricated building systems and contributed to the determination of some standard sizes. However, there have also been concerns that these standards may lead to uniform and boring designs.

Of course, before these discussions, we had to work a little to get human measurements. After doing research on the subject, we tried to draw our individual modular figures by taking our own measurements. The practical but understandable nature of these drawings required us not to skip important details, such as indicating that the joints we use a lot in movements are mobile while ensuring practicality. With this information, we adapted our modules to suit us.

Then, we switched to a digital environment using the loft and sweep commands in Rhino to understand how the area covered by our modular changes as we move. The volume and shape of the area we cover changes when we perform different actions in different positions; therefore, we need areas suitable for these volumes. Therefore, it is important to consider these proportions when making a design.

When we became more familiar with these proportions and volumes, the teachers thought it was time to move on to the physical environment and assigned us to design a series of areas where at least five different actions could be performed from the given list, in groups of two. We also encountered a new material at this stage: Styrofoam. To be honest, Styrofoam is a difficult material to work with. It was difficult to cut and control, but working with a new material was quite enjoyable.

At first, we as a class could not understand exactly what the teachers wanted from us. Instead of creating larger and visible volumes from the outside, we designed areas that were squeezed in. After we realized and corrected this mistake, our work began to make sense.

The “spiral” idea that Şevval and I have been behind since the very beginning developed over time. We tried to design volumes at different scales and shapes. Frankly, we were pleased with the work that emerged.