110
The Prototype Design: Planning Modules
112
PLANNING MODULES
112.1
DEFINITION AND FUNCTION
The planning modules are units of building volume, one story high and
varying in floor area according to a specific dimensional discipline. They
represent large scale assemblies of building subsystems with assured
internal capacity for various functional arrangements. Their function is to
expedite the preliminary planning of a hospital by providing a simplifying
conceptual step between the extreme complexity of a typical hospital
program (master plan) and the generation of alternative design
configurations for the building. They also provide a basis for initial
structural and mechanical design decisions before the detailed program or
architectural design has been worked out.
112.2
TYPES
There are four types of planning modules: structural bays, space
modules, service modules and fire sections.
STRUCTURAL BAYS
SPACE MODULES
PLANNING MODULES
SERVICE MODULES
FIRE SECTIONS
In each case a range of sizes and shapes may be generated for response
to variations in program, site and budget.
The larger types of module are built up out of the smaller (See Figure 110-
1). The structural bay is thus the basic unit of which all other modules are
composed. However, it is the service module which provides the essential
"building block" for preliminary design (See Figure 110-2).
112.3
THE SERVICE MODULE
A service module is distinguished by the fact that it is served by a single
independent horizontal distribution network; it is a unit of service as well
as a unit of functional space. It is organized into three basic components:
the functional zone below the ceiling, the service zone above the ceiling,
and a special structural bay called the service bay located at the
boundary.
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