Explore modular application architectures in JavaScript through this JSConf 2014 talk. Discover how web applications can be organized and maintainable without relying on overarching frameworks. Learn about building architectures from the ground up using small modules from various sources, a trend gaining popularity in the Node community and client-side JavaScript. Compare this approach to using formal frameworks like Ember, Backbone, Express, or Sails. Examine frameworks that encourage modular architecture by providing minimal structure. Delve into the ideas, benefits, and potential pitfalls of modular architecture from both client and server-side perspectives. Gain insights on topics such as extraction abstraction layers, functional mixins, architecture assistants, and third-party module management. Understand the balance between developer efficiency and flexibility in choosing between all-in-one frameworks and modular approaches.