Tan, T; Graser, K; Walzer, A N; Ng, M S and Hall, D (2025) Exploring the implementation of digital fabrication in construction: Combining system approaches and a revelatory case study from Switzerland. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151(12): 05025016, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Digital fabrication is an innovative method for realizing architectural design. However, its implementation is still limited in real projects. Therefore, this research aims to explore the relationships between various implementation barriers of digital fabrication. Taking the Swiss construction industry as the empirical setting, this research comprises a mixed method of systematic review, multicriteria decision analysis, and a single revelatory case study. The systematic review identifies initial barriers to digital fabrication, the DEMATEL-ISM approach investigates barrier relationships, and the case study of the DFAB HOUSE interprets the barriers. The findings include the categorization and interpretation of 16 barriers from economic, technological, organization, personal, and policy dimensions, and reveal the unique challenges of integrating hardware-based digital fabrication technologies, involving both physical and virtual transformations. This research offers insights into how different barriers interact, impact digital fabrication implementation at project and industry levels, and guide industry stakeholders in driving innovations in digital fabrication.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; construction; digital fabrication; implementation; Switzerland |
| Index terms: | mixed method, implementation, case study, hardware, Switzerland, transformation, architectural design, dimension, decision analysis, construction industry, systematic literature review, digital fabrication |
| Subjects: | business, decision analysis, Geography, contractual arrangements, information systems, data collection methods, computer hardware, health monitoring assessment and metrics, research evaluation and metrics, design practice, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Procurement, Geographical Context, Digital Applications, Risk Management, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here