Customization in Building Design and Construction: A Contribution to Sustainability

Customization is well established in manufacture and service industries. By contrast, it is still relatively new in the building industry. The concept is even less known when it is to be investigated with regard to some controversial issues such as sustainability. With a special emphasis on sustainability within the context of the built environment, this chapter focuses on the areas which have been less studied or researched so far i.e. the noneconomic impact of customization on its context. Giving brief accounts of sustainability and customization, the chapter addresses a modern method of construction (MMC), in which the notion of customization can potentially be embedded, and how it can improve the sustainability agenda. Findings of the comparative study of two built projects, which have used different methods of construction, have been used to show how the benefits of a customizable MMC could contribute to sustainability in the built environment. The cases have been analyzed using Ecotect and Envest to establish their environmental performance and the results have been discussed to indicate the potential contribution of customized approaches to a more sustainable built environment. Finally, some routes are suggested to conduct further research in this field.