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Mass customization in architecture has evolved from
the failure of mass production. Although mass production used to work for society
in the sense that the first automobiles were made this way, it is an idea that
is completely neglected. No one would want to see the same building being built
over and over again nor would we want to own the same home as our entire
neighborhood.
In architecture, mass customization can be used to
satisfy the client and allow for the architect to carry out his/her design .
Architect's work is often driven by the construction process and budgets. When
the cost of materials increases, architects have to take away from the design
more and more to meet the client's budget. Very rarely are materials chosen
without cost being an important factor. This can be solved by the mass
customization of materials.
Larger buildings can benefit from having the same
restrooms installed on each floor, mass produced curtain walls on towers, etc.
Instead of a firm designing a typical curtain wall tower, the design team can
customize their own façade by using mass customization. In this way the design
of the building will be unique and will still satisfy the client. This idea
provides an easier and faster route for the designers and the construction
process.
Units fabricated off-site and shipped to the site have
proven to speed up the construction process because the units are assembled
faster on site. Less time used to construct means less money. Also, because the units are fabricated
off-site in a controlled environment, this ensures quality work. The
construction employees also benefit from a controlled environment. Because of
this, details in the design can be paid more attention and done better than if
they were designed on site. As mentioned before, mass production also reduces
cost in that the budget can be controlled better. The examples given in chapter
six have used mass customization, and prove that it continues to work in the
profession today.
As supported in the prior text, the profession of architecture
extremely benefits from mass production. Already designed units limit the
architect's design. Instead custom units open up vast design possibilities.
Mass production is being used more as we advance in technology. Buildings are
being built faster, and people are saving money. As stated in Refabricating Architecture we cannot
imagine that one will fit "all projects, all sites, and all clients."
Because of this reason, customization is continuing to move forward to fit
every unique situation. And I believe that mass customization should continue
to be incorporated in future designs.
