INVESTIGATION ON APPLICABILTY OF MASS CUSTOMIZATION IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND SCALE

Abstract

This dissertation sets out on the subject of the architectural design as the consequence of the building technology of its time. To introduce, mass production in assembly lines has proven to be the most efficient method of production. With the entry of new computer aided software and digital fabrication methods (CAD and CAM) over the past decade, buildings become highly customized products. However, in order to achieve a balance between mass production and digital fabrication, architectural mass customization becomes the heart of this dissertation discussion. The author proposes 5 categories of mass customization, different from industrial design but specific to architectural design and scale, to provide the platform for understanding and evaluation. Out of the 5 categories, Edge and Parametric customization are hypothesized to be more applicable for architectural design with references to the 10 case studies provided. Since this form of technology for architecture is in its adolescence, there is the need to question and evaluate its appropriateness to apply functionally.