A generalized divide-and-conquer network and concomitant methodology for recursively constructing large-scaled switching fabrics to meet the need for present-day broadband switching. Such a network achieves optimal layout complexity among the class of banyan-type networks under the 2-layer Manhattan model with reserved layers, which has been the most popular layout model for CMOS technologies. Moreover, the network achieves optimal structure modularity that minimizes the number of different components required at each step of the recursive construction. The recursive construction of a 2.sup.n.times.2.sup.n generalized divide-and-conquer network can be readily mapped by an n-leaf balanced binary tree.