NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS REPORT

8939

REPORT ON LATIN AMERICAN TRAVEL

Concerning: The participation by the National

Bureau of Standards in the Standards Seminar

sponsored by the Agency for International

Development, held in Bogota, Colombia.

April 26, 1965 to May 7, 1965

SUBJECTS: (1) MODULAR COORDINATION IN CONSTRUCTION

(2) BUILDING CODES

by

C„ T. Mahaffey

Codes and Standards Section

Building Research Division

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The National Bureau of Standards is a principal focal point in the Federal Government for assuring

maximum application of the physical and engineering sciences to the advancement of technology in

industry and commerce. Its responsibilities include development and maintenance of the national standards of measurement, and the provisions of means for making measurements consistent with tho^

standards; determination of physical constants and properties of materials; development of methods

for testing materials, mechanisms, and structures, and making such tests as may be necessary, particularly for government agencies; cooperation in the establishment of standard practices for incorporait! codes and specifications; advisory service to government agencies on scientific and technical

Icins: invention and development of devices to serve special needs of the Government; assistance

to industry, business, and consumers in the development and acceptance of commercial standards and

simplified trade practice recommendations; administration of programs in cooperation with United

States business groups and standards organizations for the development of international standards of

practice: and maintenance of a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of scientific, technical, and engineering information. The scope of the Bureau’s activities is suggested in the following

listing of its four Institutes and their organizational units. Institute for Basic Standards. Applied Mathematics. Electricity. Metrology. Mechanics. Hent. Atomic Physics. Physical Chemistry. Laboratory Astrophysics.* Radiation Physics. Radio Standards

Laboratory:* Radio Standards Physics; Radio Standards Engineering. Office of Standard Reference

Data. Institute for Materials Research. Analytical Chemistry. Polymers. Metallurgy. Inorganic Materials. Reactor Radiations. Cryogenics.* Materials Evaluation Laboratory. Office of Standard Refer- ence Materials.

Institute for Applied Technology. Building Research. Information Technology. Performance Test Development. Electronic Instrumentation. Textile and Apparel Technology Center. Technical Analysis.

Office of Weights and Measures. Office of Engineering Standards. Office of Invention and Innovcti. n

Office of Technical Resources. Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information.**

Central Radio Propagation Laboratory.* Ionospheric Telecommunications. Tropospheric Telecommunications. Space Environment Forecasting. Aeronomy.

* Located at Boulder, Colorado 80301. ** Located at 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22171.
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS REPORT

NBS PROJECT NBS REPORT

4000402 July 22, 1965 8939

REPORT ON LATIN AMERICAN TRAVEL

Concerning: The participation by the National

Bureau of Standards in the Standards Seminar

sponsored by the Agency for International

Development, held in Bogota, Colombia.

April 26, 1965 to May 7, 1965

SUBJECTS: (1) MODULAR COORDINATION IN CONSTRUCTION

(2) BUILDING CODES

by

C„ T. Mahaffey

Codes and Standards Section

Building Research Division

IMPORTANT NOTICE NATIONAL BUREAU OF ST

for use within the Government,

and review. For this reason, thi whole or in part, is not authoi Bureau of Standards, Washingt

the Report has been specifically

Approved for public release by the

Director of the National Institute of

Standards and Technology (NIST)

on October 9, 2015.

>s accounting documents intended

subjected to additional evaluation

listing of this Report, either in

i Office of the Director, National

the Government agency for which

opies for its own use.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OUREAU OF STANDARDS

I was approached by John P. Eberhard , Deputy Director of IAT,

during the latter part of March 1965, and asked to consider participating

in a special AID sponsored mission to Bogota, Colombia. One of the purposes of this mission was to provide assistance to existing Colombian

standards committees in the development of Colombian national standards

in the general areas related to building codes and modular coordination.

Dr. L. L. Wyman (the chief instigator of this mission) and I had

several discussions on the subject areas involved. Out of these discussions it appeared evident that I could make a significant contribution

to the mission objectives. It was decided that I would be one of the party

of eight specialists selected for this mission. The complete personnel

list was as follows:

L. L. Wyman - Metallurgy (NBS)

Bruce E. Foster - Cements, Concretes, Aggregates (NBS)

Richard Adams - Fertilizers (AG)

Herbert Shiefer - Textiles (NBS)

Joseph Kanagy - Leather (NBS)

G. M. Kline - Plastics (NBS)

Ruth Busby - Pesticides (AG)

C. T. Mahaffey - Modular Coordination, Building Codes (NBS)

Dr. Foster and I arrived at the impressive new Bogota airport around

10:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 24. We were met at the foot of the plane

steps by Dr. Wyman (who had preceded us by a few days and made all the

arrangements), Milton Drexler, chief of the construction and industry

section of the permanent AID mission to Bogota, and Dr. Javier Henao, the

director of ICONTEC (Instituto Colombiano de Normas Technicas).

Sunday morning we were joined by Dr. Henao, who described in detail

the program for the coming week. He also described the functions and

relationship of the two Colombian sponsors of the seminar - ICONTEC and

INCOLDA.

ICONTEC is a comparatively new organization established to foster

the development of Colombian standards for materials, processes, test

methods, etc. ICONTEC supplies the forum and the recognized procedures

whereby all parties at interest can participate in the formation of

voluntary national standards. Through an arrangement with the Colombian

government, standards produced through the mechanism of ICONTEC are

officially recognized as Colombian national standards. The role of

ICONTEC is closer to that of our ASTM than it is to ASA for two reasons:

(1) ICONTEC's primary purpose, like that of ASTM, is to develop

standards

.

1
(2) In Colombia ICONTEC is the only s tandards-producing organization

and thus there is no need for an ASA to select only those standards demonstrating a national consensus of opinion from the work

of hundreds of standards-producing bodies.

Like ASA, ICONTEC is charged with coordinating the standard needs and

activities in the nation.

Dr. Henao went on to explain the role of INCOLDA. During his discussion and with the helpful background information volunteered by Dr.

Wyman, the reasons why the seminar was jointly sponsored by ICONTEC

and INCOLDA became clearer. INCOLDA (Instituto Colombiano de Administracion) is somewhat similar to our American Management Association. The

members are the directors and administrators of various commercial enterprises in Colombia. They are influential in the formation and conduct

of top management policy decisions. To a large extent they represent the

broadening industrial strength of Colombia. Forward-looking people in

both organizations recognize the importance of standards to industrial

growth, as do Milton Drexler and his assistant, George Fitch. These

people felt that a wider recognition of the value of standards was needed

to set the stage for concerted Colombian action through ICONTEC. As the

number of standards increase, their interrelationships and interdependencies increase, necessitating a wide ranging attack on many different

fronts. Voluntary standards in particular need a widely-based support,

based on a full understanding of the nature and role of standards in an

expanding industrial technology. The great need for Colombian standards

can be filled by ICONTEC through the vigorous support of INCOLDA.

Dr. Henao indicated that he was expecting Dr. Foster and me to

provide a five-day series of lectures to INCOLDA members on standards,

with special emphasis on cement, concrete and aggregates (Dr. Foster),

with building codes and modular coordination as my special subjects.

I carried out my part of this program with a series of two-hour

lectures, Monday (4/26/65) through Friday (4/30), from 8:00 A.M. to

10:00 A.M. (Dr. Foster spoke on his subjects from 10:00 to 12:00).

The following list of those in attendance is representative of the

group at the INCOLDA portion of the seminar:

2
ASISTENTES AL SEMINARIO DE LA CONSTRUCTION

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr

.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr

.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Dr.

Pablo Lucio

Edgard Ramirez

Bavaria S. A.

Bavaria S. A.

Jose Manuel Patino

Carlos A. Varona

Alfredo Garcia Romero

Antonio Munevar

Eduardo Nino

Jairo Villalobos

Instituto de Credito Territorial

Instituto de Credito Territorial

Instituto de Credito Territorial

Instituto de Credito Territorial

Instituto de Credito Territorial

Instituto de Credito Territorial

Jorge Saravia Nieto

Alfonso Londono

Cementos Diamante S. A.

Cementos Diamante S. A.

Fernando Diaz Amaya

Fernando Martinez

Jaime Chaparro

Socio Personal

Restrepo y Uribe Ltda.

Caja de Vivienda Militar

Alvaro Cardenas

Gabriel Antonio Hernandez

Jorge Sanmiguel

Luis Eduardo Rojas

Antonio Maria Gomez

Humberto Cabal

Banco de la Republica

Banco de la Republica

Cementos Boyaca

Prefabricaciones S. A.

Comite Administrative de Normas

Personal

Victor Suarez de Castro

Luis Daniel Bohorquez

Jose Francisco Sanchez

Jose Manuel Arboleda

Sociedad Colombiana de Arquitectos

Sociedad Colombiana de Arquitectos

Sociedad Colombiana de Arquitectos

Sociedad Colombiana de Arquitectos

Arturo Londono Universidad Javeriana

Ricardo Naranjo

Alvaro Mondragon

Hugo Gomez

Alvaro Mejia

Jorge Barraza Roa

Sika

Laboratorio ^uimico Nacional

Laboratorio de Ensayo de Materiales

Universidad Nacional

Central Hidroelectrica de Caldas

Ingetec

3
The subject matter covered during each of the five morning sessions

is outlined below:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

April 26

" 27

" 28

M 29

" 30

Standards 6c Codes

Modular Principles

Outline of a Suggested Building Code System

Details of a Suggested Building Code System

Review of Modular Practices

During the last morning session, I asked Dr. Jose Manuel Patino

to come up front and give a graphic description of a very ingenious

self-help cement block house being built in Bogota. Dr. Patino is an

architect with the Instituto de Credito Territorial and is greatly

responsible for the success of a particular group of houses in the 12,000

units that go to make up the project Ciudad Kennedy.

Ciudad Kennedy is an AID sponsored low cost housing project being

built on the edge of Bogota. A large percentage of the living units

erected there are known as "self-help" housing. The purpose of a selfhelp designed house is to provide the maximum amount of enclosed space

for the least investment by the purchaser. To get this cost to an

irreducible minimum, the construction program is designed to permit the

prospective owners to contribute their labor during the construction

of the houses. It is probably the most trying type of architectural

design work, and especially so when building material sizes have little

or no relationship.

Dr. Patino, being well versed in the principles of modular construction, was undaunted by the lack of modular sized cement blocks in

Bogota. He developed four new related sizes (similar to our modular

blocks but on a 10 cm rather than a 4" module), and then designed a fourbedroom two-story house that used only these four sizes without any site

cutting and fitting. The house also includes modular sized window frames,

concrete floor joists, door lintels and circular stair treads--all of

precast reinforced concrete. Approximately 1000 of these single design

houses are scheduled to be built in Ciudad Kennedy.

With the piece volume generated by this 1000-house project it was

feasible for Dr. Patino and his group to:

1. Design simple metal molds for the window units, stair treads,

concrete joists and lintels for the prefabrication of these

building elements.

2. Design and prefabricate the electrical wiring conduit and

the water supply piping.

Note : Both of the above activities are being performed

in open sheds located on the construction site.

3. Assist in the establishment of a cement block factory for the

production of the modular standardized blocks.

4
The whole concept of this modular proportioned house represents an

important departure from the traditional hand-craft type of construction

generally employed in Colombia. Currently, bricks and blocks vary in

size from manufacturer to manufacturer, and usually these sizes bear

little relationship to wall opening dimensions. It is not uncommon to

make templates for window and door openings after the walls are up and

then build the units for each individual opening. On the other hand,

the size relationships established by the Patino-ICT (Institute de

Credito Territorial) houses represent a starting point for the rational

growth of the size interdependencies necessary to horizontally integrated

industries. It was for this reason that I asked Dr. Patino to give a first-hand account of his work to the INCOLDA group.

The afternoon and early evening portion of the first week's seminar

was spent with ICONTEC committees at ICONTEC headquarters.

Dr. Arturo Londono, Dean of the School of Architecture at the

University of Javeriana, and the leading proponent of Bouwcentrum in

Colombia, is Chairman of the ICONTEC Subcommittee on Modular Coordination.

I met eight of the members, architects for the most part, and attempted

to learn from them the present status of modular coordination in Colombia.

It did not take long to determine that they were all well versed in the

principles of modular coordination and modular drafting practice. They

were aware of the progress made in Sweden, France and Germany and in some

of the other Latin American countries. The committee did not need to be

convinced that the use of modular principles was essential to the development of a true building industry in Colombia. Their problem was concentrated in two areas:

1. How to convince the majority of their fellow architects of

the advantages of modular practices.

2. How to convince manufacturers to switch over to modular

sized building products.

The determination of these two problem areas indicated that the

committee, as constituted, represented less of a consensus group than

it did of a core of forward-looking planners able to see in modular

coordination a basis for a sound Colombian industrialized building

technology. It is evidently unrealistic to attempt to establish national

size standards for bricks, doors, windows, etc., without active participation of the industries affected. It is equally unrealistic to set

such voluntary standards without the concurrence of designers and specification writers.

A parallel approach to these problems was suggested to the committee:

1. Instigate an intensive educational campaign aimed at convincing

Colombian architects of the advantages of modular practices.

5
2. Initiate a high volume demand for modular sized building material

products through such large scale building operations as those

under the control of the Instituto de Credito Territorial, that

have housing projects all over Colombia.

The suggestion that building material sizes and shapes need to be

standardized usually draws an instant negative reaction from architects.

Their first concern is that such standardization represents an undesirable infringement on their artistic freedom of expression. They immediately picture rows of look-alike houses as a natural corollary of building

element size standardization. It takes time, but it is usually not difficult, to show them that such standardization does not necessarily produce

identical buildings any more than a standard piano keyboard results in

identical tunes. Once past this old chestnut, specific examples of how

modular drafting practices (even without the existence of modular building materials) simplify and clarify architectural drawings and details,

is also very effective in enlisting the support of most architects. Because modular drafting practices make drawings easier to read and because

dimensioning to modular grid lines make the layout of buildings easier

and more accurate, architects, contractors and builders can be reasoned

into becoming modular coordination supporters, once the simplicity of

this construction tool is clearly understood.

Building material manufacturers usually require a different approach.

It is no more difficult getting them to agree on modular size standards

for their products than it is to get them to agree on any specific size

standard. As long as Colombian manufacturers continue to be unable to

fill current orders for non-standardized products, it will be difficult

for them to justify the expense of switching over to some theoretically

perfect set of size standards. Once they are even partly convinced that

size standards of some sort are inevitable, a strong incentive for modular

sizes can be introduced in the form of large volume orders. The Instituto de

Credito Territorial, having seen the cost savings possible as evidenced

by the Patino-Ciudad Kennedy houses, can use their high volume requirements

to make it easier for manufacturers to switch over to size- integrated

products. Other large scale building projects, such as the proposed

physical expansion of the Universidad del Valle in Cali, can also be used

for this purpose. . There are enough men in influential positions in Colombia who

understand this size relationship problem to accomplish the two objectives

listed above. Men like Dr. Londono, Patino, Arboleda, Bohorquez, Lleras,

Vasquez, Borrero, Campo and others are aware that modular coordinated

building material sizes are a sound and economical way for the Colombian

building industry to become a true industry and to meet the housing

challenge it now faces. Two facts serve to illustrate this challenge:

6
1* Last year 34,000 new housing units were built in Colombia and

during the same time 43,000 new families were formed.

2. Currently, building materials represent between 70 and 80 per

cent of the total cost of a house.

Dr. Patino suggests that as much as 17% of this abnormally high cost of

materials is due to the wasteful site cutting and fitting of unrelated

sizes of materials, not to mention the high cost of custom fitted door

and window frames

.

Host of the afternoon ICONTEC sessions with the Modular Coordination Committee were spent in developing ways and means of interesting

architects in participating in the committee's activities and of finding the appropriate tools for enlisting the support of the material

manufacturers.

Two afternoon sessions were devoted to problems connected with the

development of a Colombian national building code system. Differences

among zoning, housing and building codes were discussed, as were the

advantages and disadvantages of performance and specification type codes.

The difficulties of formulating a code capable of safeguarding the health

and safety of building occupants and of the community without stifling

the development of innovations in materials or systems were discussed.

Dr. Osuna and Dr. Andrade were impressed with the type of building code

system used by the State of New York and arranged a meeting with various

members of the Colombian Chamber of Construction (Camara Colombiana de

la Construccion - CAMACOL).

During this meeting I was subjected to a barrage of searching

questions that did much to clarify the flexibility of the proposed code

system. Dr. Manuel Lleras, the Chamber's peppery Director, took a most

active part in the questioning. With Dr. Osuna and Dr. Arboleda acting

as translators, we were able to establish the important role of ICONTEC

in the development and operation of a Colombian national code. I stressed

the importance of keeping the code interpretation and materials evaluation

group wholly within the framework of ICONTEC, even if this meant the use

of staff people. By this means innovators and enforcement agents are

provided with a single approval center for materials and systems. At the

same time this very powerful group would be under the direct control of

all parties at interest. Thus materials producers, code enforcement

officials and the public would benefit from a living set of building

regulations through the consensus forum of ICONTEC.

The first two and one-half days of the second week were spent at

the Universidad del Valle in the city of Cali, about 150 miles west of

Bogota. I arrived at the Cali airport close to noon and was welcomed

by Dr. Jesus Velosa and Dr. Harold Borrero. Dr. Borrero spoke excellent

English, having graduated from Penn State. He is now Dean of the School

of Architecture and Plastic Arts of the Valle University. He took me to

the hotel and briefed me on the schedule he had arranged. We were to go

7
to the University Hospital in the afternoon to meet the famous Dr. Jose

Vasquez, Director of the Institute of Construction at Valle University.

At 5:00 P.M. I was to give a two-hour talk on the subject of standards,

codes and modular coordination practices, to the faculty and the fourth

and fifth year students of the school of architecture.

The interview with Dr. Vasquez turned out to be an important event

in helping to mesh the forces that are attempting to shape the future of

the building industry in Colombia. Dr. Vasquez is a dynamic man, and as he unfolded the role that he has planned for the expansion of the University

of Valle, it became apparent that this man and his work would play a big

part in introducing the Colombian building industry to the significance of

national standards. There was no need of convincing him of the advantage

of modular standards; what he wanted to know was how he and the University

could play their most effective part in getting such standards established

and into use.

I was able to suggest that in the planned physical expansion of the

University he had the means to accomplish three important objectives:

1. Introduce Colombian architects to the simplicity and effectiveness of modular dimensioning and drafting room practices by insisting that all University drawings make use of modular drafting techniques

.

2. Work with ICONTEC committees engaged in establishing modular

sized building products.

3. Use the vast piece volume of the University's expansion program

to enable Colombian manufacturers to switch over to the new size

standards

.

Dr. Vasquez seemed pleased with these suggestions. I suspect they merely

reinforced most of his own conclusions. I tried to emphasize the importance

of working through ICONTEC in establishing the new size standards, suggesting

that any unilateral action might retard rather than advance the voluntary

national standards cause.

It was a very interesting meeting, and I came away feeling that this

man and his program for the University would have a very strong impact on

the growth of building technology in Colombia.

The two-hour talk with the faculty and students (5:00 - 7:00 P.M.)

covered the general field of modular practices, building codes and standards.

I tried to emphasize the necessity for balanced representation on standards

committees, the important relation between consensus and voluntary standards,

and the various means of consensus determinations. The audience took an

8
active part, keeping the excellent interpreter Mr. O'Fallon very busy.

Afterwards Dr. Borrero, the very charming Sra. Lyda Borrero (who teaches

landscape architecture at the University), and I enjoyed a leisurely dinner

at a pleasant restaurant in downtown Cali.

The next morning, Dr. Borrero took me to the University where he

carefully outlined the present role of the school and the curricula

expansion proposed. Apparently, universities in Colombia play a much

larger role as information centers than the schools here in the United

States. Avery large part of the building research conducted in Colombia

is done at the universities. It is for this reason that the University of

Valle is divided into eight divisions, one of which is the Institute of

Construction headed by Dr. Vasquez. The School of Architecture, headed

by Dr. Borrero, is in this Institute. In this manner current research

on pressing industrial problems is made known to the faculty and students

in a very direct way. The entire eight divisions, involving the same

research-curricula organization, are also tied together with a correlating

mechanism for maintaining the interdependencies of the divisions.

Dr. Borrero was anxious that the subject of standards and modular

coordination be included in future university studies. We discussed this

matter with the Dean of Studies, Dr. Campo, and were able to induce him

to consider adding these subjects to the University's curricula.

I went to lunch with Dr. Borrero and a prominent Cali land developer.

During this time we visited several housing projects and observed the

various tradesmen at work. On the way to one of these projects I noted

an enormous saucer-shaped structure that seemed to have no visible means

of support. It turned out to be the bull fight ring, made of post

tensioned concrete. We also visited one of the SENA trade schools designed

by Dr. Borrero. It is a beautiful contemporary building of brick and

concrete featuring a cafeteria canopy of intersecting hyperbolic thin

shells of concrete.

Back at the University we met with the Planning Committee of the

University and went over the scale model layout for the physical expansion

of the school. This is a most ambitious project involving nearly 1,000

acres of land, dozens of new buildings and with a goal of 10,000 students

by 1974. Dr. Borrero and Dr. Vasquez deserve a lot of credit for their

objective appraisals of future Colombian building technology needs and for

the careful, minute preparations they have made for reshaping this

University toward filling these needs.

The previous day's talk was repeated for the benefit of area building

material manufacturers, again between 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. Greater emphasis

was given this time to the advantages of modular sized materials and the

necessity of national standards. Questions from the audience brought out

the same concern noted in the Bogota meetings concerning the selection of

the most advantageous basic module. Many of these manufacturers were

9
willing to concede the construction advantages of modular sizes but asked

for advice on how to choose the best module for Colombia. They were aware

that four inches was at least the unofficial basic module in the U. S., but

recognized the growing use of 10 cm for this purpose in other countries.

I apprised tnem of the coming COPANT meeting in Caracas on the subject of modular coordination. I urged them to see that Colombian delegates

attend this Pan American meeting, instructed to push for the firm establishment of a single basic module for all Latin American countries. Several

manufacturers felt that a 10 cm module might make it difficult for them

to buy U. S. equipment (such as block-making machinery). 1 tried to point

out that many differing basic modules in Latin America would be as bad as no module at all, and again urged than to participate actively in the

June meeting of COPANT.

The next morning one of the manufacturers at the meeting picked me up at

the hotel and we visited his precast concrete plant on the way to the airport. Senor Melguizo has a bustling plant making many varieties of concrete

products such as telephone poles, various sizes and shapes of light poles,

cement blocks, hollow flooring blocks, precast concrete lintels and floor

joists, paving blocks, etc. Like many other Colombian building material

manufacturers, he cannot catch up with his new orders.

I rejoined Dr. Henao and Dr. Londono at ICONTEC headquarters in

Bogota that afternoon. We reviewed the Cali trip during which it became

apparent to both men that a Colombian delegation to Caracas was imperative.

The resolution of any doubts regarding the basic module is needed before

the various standards committees can operate effectively. Both men urged

me to meet the Colombian delegation in Caracas and I promised to investigate the possibilities on my return to the United States.

I also attended one of Dr. Foster's subcommittee meetings that afternoon. They were working their way through an ASTM test method, trying to

restate it in Colombian terms. It was a pleasure to watch the easy,

factual way that Dr. Foster was able to assist them over those portions

that might otherwise have been misinterpreted.

Dr. Foster, Dr. Londono and I revisited Ciudad Kennedy to see a small group of semi-prefabricated houses. The wall panels were of precast thin shell concrete. Using a form of a tongue and groove joint, both

the inside and outside faces of the wall were site erected, forming a hollow wall space about 4" wide. Coarse concrete was poured into this space

to form practically a solid concrete wall. Theoretically, no additional

finishing was required, but a stucco coat inside and out made a niceappearing wall. Except for such final finishing these were not self-help

houses in the same sense as the Patino-ICT units.

Dr. Foster and I entertained Dr. Londono at dinner that night as a way of expressing part of our appreciation for his many personal

kindnesses. Besides, we enjoyed his company.

10
Thursday morning a meeting of the full Modular Coordination Subcommittee was held at ICONTEC headquarters. Dr. Henao presided at this

meeting that had Dr. Moro and Edmond H. Hoben of the U. S. AID mission

to Colombia as special guests. Both of these men are housing advisors

interested in urban development - Dr. Moro from more of a technical

viewpoint while Mr. Hoben tended toward financial interests.

Dr. Moro was intensely interested in the Patino-ICT houses at

Ciudad Kennedy and questioned Dr. Patino at great length, attempting

to evaluate the effectiveness of the construction system used in

measurable terms. Since ICT has many housing projects, most of which

use traditional materials and methods, they have actual cost figures

for direct comparisons. Dr. Patino's figures indicated a 17% reduction

in the material cost for the modular houses and b man hours per square

meter of floor space as compared with the usual 16 man hour p.s.m.

Mr. Hoben told of an interesting phase of his work. He has been

instrumental in setting up savings and loan associations in several

South American countries. The one in Chile represents a unique approach

to the problem of encouraging savings in the face of inflationary problems.

Through an arrangement with the Chilean government, both the savings held

and the loans outstanding are adjusted once a year by means of a yearly

cost of living price index.

Several important conclusions began to emerge out of this last

meeting

:

1. The selection of a Colombian basic module, agreeing with that

of other Latin American countries, is of primary importance for ICONTEC

standards committees.

2. ICONTEC housing standards activities need to be accelerated.

A housing standards board, made up of a well balanced group from all

sections of the country, representing at least the major parties at

interest needs to be formed. This board should be capable of defining

the specific areas of needed standards and be able to assign and

coordinate the standards projects required. The board should insist

on the use of sizes based on practical adaptations of the basic module

selected.

3. More demonstration projects like the Patino-ICT houses are

needed. National publicity should be built up around the advantages

of modular construction.

4. Because the use of modular practices can assist in integrating

the Colombian building industry and can increase its productivity, our

AID mission should continue to support those projects using modular

practices

.

11
5. A national building code committee should be formed to continue studying Colombian needs in this area.

6. Such organizations as Bouwcentrum, CAMACOL, INCOLDA, The

Society of Colombian Architects and the universities can be used to

focus attention and support for the role of ICONTEC in gaining the

concerted effort of various national interests needed for the development of voluntary Colombian construction standards.

A brief meeting with George Fitch that evening ended the business

program for Dr. Foster and me. At Mr. Fitch’s request we gave him a frank appraisal of the two-week seminar. The six points outlined

above were discussed in some detail.

Before ending this description of an exciting two week experience,

I would like to call special attention to the high quality of the work

accomplished by our AID group in Bogota. I'm sure that the enthusiastic

attention Dr. Foster and I received from the Colombians was due in

large part to the high regard they have for such men as Milton Drexler,

George Fitch and Edmond Hoben. The sympathetic, unobtrusive and very

knowledgeable manner in which these men handle their difficult assignment merits everyone's appreciation. In my opinion they are doing

more than should be expected in assisting Colombia toward economic

viability and self-sustaining growth.

In the same way, Colombia can be proud of such men as Drs. Henao,

Londono, Patino, Vasquez, Borrero and Osuna. These dedicated and

knowledgeable men are also making a vital contribution to a better

way of life for Colombia.

Everyone I met in Colombia had a kind word for Dr. L. L. Wyman.

They recognize him as a friend and value his knowledge and personal

interest in their problems. His experience in this area, passed on

in the form of kind advice, is appreciated by all, including myself.

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SUMMARY

What did I accomplish? In the sense of the question--how many oranges

did I pick? --the answer must be--none. And yet I feel that a great deal

was accomplished and at a time when it was most needed.

Colombia has a small and scattered group of men that understand and

appreciate the value of national standards and know the potential of modular

coordination for building technology. Backed up by our people in the AID

mission, they have been attempting to enlist the support of various segments of the building industry for the development and use of national

standards. My contribution strengthened their contentions and outlined

workable ways of achieving the desired goals.

With such general interest groups as INCOLDA, I attempted to sell

the value of national standards by trying to show that standards are the

language of building technology. Without good national standards there

cannot be good national communication. Just as good architectural drawings are the linear basis for an unmistakable communication among all concerned with the erection of a building, so national building standards are

a verbal basis for a common understanding among all concerned with the

building industry. Large vertical integrated companies, such as the auto

makers, control the manufacture of most all of the parts in their product

and can often get by with just company standards for intra-company communications. Such company standards will not serve the needs of horizontally

"integrated" industries like the building industry. National building

standards particularly those utilizing modular sizes provide the intercompany communication required to efficiently assemble the thousands of

"end product" parts that go into houses and other buildings.

I took a different approach with the ICONTEC committees, since they

were already convinced of the role of standards. They wanted information

useful in encouraging balanced committee participation and specific

examples of the work of such committees. I gave them many standards

recognized by ASA, almost a hundred Commercial Standards and Simplified

Practice Recommendations dealing with building materials, several catalogs

of standards, both of my Unicom manuals, plus copies of the New York State

Building Code and Code Manual.

I assisted the committee in developing a workable program for introducing architects to the simplicity and usefulness of modular dimensioning.

The available means for enabling manufacturers to switch over to modular

sizes were also outlined. The urgency of establishing the Colombian

module was recognized and the necessity of Colombian delegates attending

the Caracas COPANT conference of modular coordination was established.

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I was able to outline the various related elements of a national

code system that would provide a national control over the use of

innovations without stifling building research.

A great amount of work lies ahead for I CONTEC . The concept of

voluntary standards has a definite appeal to all thinking people,

however, to function efficiently, avoiding the discouraging time

drag usually associated with voluntary standards programs, the use

of staff people for the preparation of standards drafts is highly

recommended. It is not altogether lethargy that makes standards

writing take so much time. Committee members are experts in the

area concerned and have pressing daily job responsibilities. It is

extremely difficult for them to find the time for the meticulous care

needed in the preparation of a good standard. A few staff people,

with a general experience in standards work, can pick the brains of

the committee experts, dig out tne cross reference standards required,

outline those areas needing further research and physically prepare

drafts of standards for committee deliberations. In this manner,

the valuable time of the committee members is conserved, the consensus principle of voluntary standards is retained and the time

required to produce the voluntary national standard is considerably

reduced.

If Milton Drexler and George Fitch were able to loan a few

standards draft writers to ICONTEC for a short period, the apparent

effects of their mission in Colombia could be greatly accelerated.

As advisors to ICONTEC committees, they could speed up the preparation

of new standards and the adaptation of existing standards. They might

also develop a continuing draft preparation program, through the use

of architectural students at the universities. It is known that

architectural schools are now attempting to emphasize the students'

knowledge of construction materials. The advisors' guidance in standards

drafting would broaden the advanced students' knowledge of the materials

of construction, sharpen their appreciation of the value of national

standards and provide a wide source of assistance in the preparation

of the standards needed. Such a program is feasible and would have

a good effect on the future respect for and use of voluntary

Colombian standards.

There is now in Colombia a growing, enthusiastic interest in

voluntary national standards. However, there is an awesome amount

of work that needs to be done. It is ICONTEC 's responsibility and

Milton Drexler 's concern that this enthusiasm not falter in meeting

the needs of the burgeoning Colombian building industry. I hope these

identical objectives received some benefit from my contribution in this

AID-sponsored standards seminar.

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