Facing customization in the building industry

The adoption of modular construction and the increasing integration of digital technologies are transforming the building industry. This literature review is focused on the customization in AEC industry considering the mass customization approach and several innovations such as product configurator that could enhance customization performance. The study employs a comprehensive search strategy using the Scopus database, incorporating multiple search logics to capture a wide range of relevant publications. The search concentrated on three main areas: product configurators in the building construction industry, variety and customization of construction projects and mass customization within on-site construction. Our findings reveal an important trend in the adoption of innovations supporting digital-based customization and the growing integration of product configurators and building information modeling (BIM) technologies, with notable applications in 3D printing and digital twin technologies. Despite significant advancements in off-site modular construction, there remains limited exploration of on-site practices to enhance operational performances in the construction of customized buildings. This review shows the potential of these technologies to transform the building industry towards enhanced flexibility and sustainable construction practices. Finally, the study outlines further research opportunities related to better addressing customization in the building industry.