Masters of material: Modulor

When Le Corbusier set out to develop a universal proportion system in the middle of the twentieth century, his aim was to radically change the world of architecture. His ‘Modulor’ system did not become the measure of all things, but the basic idea of his architectural theory is still relevant today. People, their needs and harmonious proportions remain the focus of modern design.

Berlin furniture and material brand Modulor also put strong emphasis on this core idea of modularity. The specialists at the company’s Moritzplatz headquarters thus avoid the imprecise calculations and arbitrary standards for which Le Corbusier was criticised in the 1950s. Instead, they focus on individual customisation from the very beginning – especially, of course, when it comes to furniture.

Christof Struhk founded Modulor towards the end of the 1980s to make professional life easier for architects and model makers. During his own student days, he noticed how difficult it was to access materials for model making. With his collection, he soon closed supply gaps in the areas of wood, paper and metal in Berlin so thoroughly that he abandoned his architecture studies, swapping it for this enormously successful specialised business.

Almost three decades later, Modulor is still the place to go for architects and creative people, but the approximately 38,000 items on sale have also long since been inspiring pupils, students and Berliners from a wide variety of different fields. Most recently, since the move in 2011 to the Aufbau Haus at Moritzplatz, which was designed as a creative centre, professionals and amateurs alike have discovered the large selection of furniture that enthusiasts from all over Europe order online, in addition to countless materials and other artist and drawing supplies found in the store’s 3,000 sqm of exhibition space.

Unlike the competition, Modulor furniture doesn’t really need a showroom: the system is easy to understand and the individual components can be variably determined and configured online. Struhk laid the foundation for the Modulor furniture range with the famous Eiermann table, which architect Egon Eiermann designed in 1953 as a worktable for his students and which was varied and further developed with the E2 by Adam Wieland in 1965.

And as with the classic design, which can be combined as a simple frame with freely selectable tops, each customer can also configure Modulor designs according to their own preferences. The table systems consist of durable tops with frames in various sizes, shapes, colours and materials, such as wood or steel. Three components ensure stability whatever the size, node, frame and leg, and these guarantee the assembly of a first-class table.

With the Y-series, which like all the table series was designed by product designer Kai Funke, Modulor offers tables with a clear design language for countless areas of use. The flexible system can be configured as a large conference table or small worktable, as a standing table or bench. Each tabletop can be customised according to individual requirements. You can choose between surfaces made of high-quality linoleum or robust melamine, and both in a variety of colours.

Depending on the function, the tabletop can be supplemented with a cable aperture, cable duct, drawer or PC holder. It goes without saying that the tabletops are cut to size to the nearest centimetre. In addition to Modulor itself, the company relies on other German partners for the high quality of its products and materials, which are delivered without intermediaries and so helping to guarantee fair manufacturing conditions and reliability.

Corners, edges and, last but not least, the table legs can also be custom-built. While the solid wood versions in oak, white ash or black are almost straight, the inclination of the table legs increases with the square legs. Round legs are also available in the ‘strongly inclined’ version. In addition to the standard colour black, the legs are also available in other colours such as white, bright red, metallic gold and many more.

In order to be able to offer planners and architects exactly what they are looking for on larger projects, Modulor also has other table series, shelving systems as well as furniture from other designers. So from individual tabletops to seat cushions, you’ll find everything you need for working at home or in the office. From the home school set to Modulor’s mobile container for children, everything has been thought of for child-friendly projects.

If Le Corbusier were to consider his ‘Modulor’ system again today, he would probably also come to the conclusion that people are far too diverse to be able to do them justice with a simple set of dimensions. He stated: ‘It is always life that is right and the architect who is wrong.’ With customisable furniture systems and a great choice of materials, Modulor helps architects and others to furnish their lives in the way that’s right for them.

© Architonic