BIM as a generic configurator for facilitation of customisation in the AEC industry

One of the long-lasting challenges of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has beenaddressing personalised solutions as nearly affordable as possible to what could be offered by mass productionin the post industrialisation era. Ever since its gestation, BIM has promised endless prospects for people,organisations, products and processes in the AEC industry. This paper sets out to investigate the benefits ofBIM as a general configurator to facilitate customisation: offering personalised solutions at a price comparableto mass produced products and services. Providing a quick review of literature, the paper sets the scene forinvestigating how the generic capabilities of BIM applications can be utilised to offer customisable façadesystems. Using a systemic approach, this is then used to elucidate future developments of the current projectinto next stages where other elements and parameters can be implanted into the basic family to broaden thechoice and to reinforce this customisable façade solution.