Rethinking building construction: Mass customisation and prefabrication for reducing climate pollution

Due to the growing number of cities and the growing global population, buildings are in high demand. Although our rapidly urbanised world is surrounded by scaffolding and concrete, the construction industry contributes to climate change. As a result of carbon-heavy materials like cement and steel, as well as energy-intensive processes and inefficiency on-site, the way we build today is unsustainable.

It is urgent that we rethink our building designs and construction in order to combat climate change. Prefabrication and mass customisation hold promise for transforming the construction industry while reducing its environmental impact.

There is no doubt that conventional construction has a staggering environmental impact. Almost 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions come from the construction and operation of buildings, according to the UN Environment Programme. 

Often, construction sites generate massive amounts of debris, noise and dust, which contribute to air and soil pollution. 

Additionally, diesel-powered machinery and inefficient use of labour and materials contribute to the climate crisis. Bangladesh is a densely populated, rapidly developing country where this pollution exacerbates urban heat islands, respiratory diseases, and ecological degradation.

Rather than using one-size-fits-all construction models, we need to move beyond them. It offers a viable alternative to custom building by combining the flexibility of custom building with the efficiency of mass production. 

A BIM model, parametric design, or advanced manufacturing techniques can help architects and builders create highly adaptable designs that take into account specific site conditions, user needs, and climate zones. Through mass customisation, energy use, ventilation, lighting, and thermal comfort can be optimised rather than replicated across diverse regions. As a result, building performance is enhanced as well as operational emissions are significantly reduced.

Building components, such as walls, floors, roofs, and even entire rooms, can be prefabricated in controlled factory settings and assembled on site, complementing mass customisation. As a result of this process, construction time, material waste, and site disturbances are significantly reduced. 

The precision engineering of prefabricated elements facilitates a tighter building envelope, which improves insulation and energy efficiency. In addition, prefabrication facilitates a circular economy by facilitating the reuse or recycling of parts after they are no longer needed, unlike traditional methods that often result in demolition waste.

In an intelligent construction ecosystem, mass customisation and prefabrication work together to provide environmentally responsible buildings with minimal resource consumption. The digital tracking of components enables lifecycle assessments and real-time performance monitoring. Sustainability and low-carbon growth are closely aligned when materials are optimised, waste is reduced, and energy is reduced.

The value of these approaches is particularly evident in the context of climate resilience. As the frequency of extreme weather events increases as a result of climate change, the need for quickly deployable structures becomes more urgent. In disaster-affected areas, prefabricated housing units, for instance, can be quickly assembled, providing shelter that is both safe and comfortable. 

It is possible to design mass-customised housing for rural or flood-prone areas that elevate living spaces and incorporate passive cooling techniques, as well as utilize locally available and low-impact materials—thereby further reducing embodied carbon and enhancing community resilience.

Socioeconomic benefits can also be derived from adopting these advanced construction methods. Developing countries such as Bangladesh, which have a high percentage of informal homes or substandard housing, can benefit from prefabrication's affordability and efficiency. 

Additionally, the process offers opportunities for skill development in digital construction, robotics, and sustainable materials. It is possible to foster a green economy and create jobs with the transition to prefabricated and customised construction when proper investments are made in vocational training and infrastructure.

However, despite their clear benefits, these techniques still face barriers to widespread adoption. There is often a lag between technological innovation and regulatory frameworks, with building codes and approval systems tailored to traditional methods. The contractors and developers accustomed to traditional profit models and workflows also resist change.

In order to address these challenges, governments and industry stakeholders must collaborate on modernising building regulations, promoting green construction practices, and investing in research and development. Through the integration of environmental construction science, material innovation, and simulation-based design into their curricula, universities and architectural institutions have an important role to play.

It is ultimately the built environment that reflects our values and priorities. Continuing to use old and polluting construction methods is no longer feasible in a climate-driven era. Tomorrow's environmental and social conditions will be shaped by the buildings we build today. 

In addition to being technological innovations, mass customisation and prefabrication are essential strategies for reducing climate change and increasing sustainability in urban areas. Embracing these methods will help us build not only for shelter and aesthetics, but for a cleaner and healthier future. It's time to take action.

Dr Sajal Chowdhury is an architect, educator and head of the Department of Architecture, CUET and researcher focusing on Environmental Experience Design, IEQ, Architectural Science and Well-being.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.