Development of a framework for dimensional customization system: A novel method for customer participation

• Customer demands tend to be heterogeneous, while physical buildings are homogenous.
• Homogeneity and lack of variety are not desirable in industrialized buildings.
• We focus on the implementation of a dimensional customization system.
• We explore the potential of a constraint-based parametric design.

Mass customization in the building industry is a relatively new concept. True adaptation of mass customization requires the participation of customers in design to better reflect their expectations. However, architects and homebuilders do not want to deviate from the efficiency of product standardization or selection among products with a standard design. The challenge of customer participation lies mostly in design validation, especially the code compliance checking it involves. This paper presents the conceptual framework for a dimensional customization system that reflects the potential of a constraint-based parametric design. Constraint-based parametric design offers a wide range of variations, while simultaneously complying to design rules.