Success and Failure in Flexible Building

Abstract

In the present demand-driven market, consumers play a key role. Players in the house-building market, as in other sectors, need to listen to the consumer's requirements – and these are continually changing. The real estate sector is rather rigid in its practices, yet those working in it will need to respond to the fluctuating wishes and demands of their consumers. One possible response is to adopt a flexible building strategy. Industrial Flexible Demountable (IFD) building has recently been a subject of debate in the Dutch construction sector. This is a special type of construction involving experimental projects, experimentation being the first step in optimising a renewed production process or product. The building process is currently subject to various construction-related and organisational obstacles. This means that, in some cases, the objectives (which are focused on consumer-oriented building practices) were not being achieved. It was necessary to identify the problem areas and to consider the available opportunities for optimising the building process in future IFD house-building projects. The results of this study have been incorporated into guidelines containing a step-by-step plan. This plan sets out practical recommendations for market actors who wish to initiate an IFD house-building project. This study's conclusions and recommendations form the basis for the seven stages that such parties will need to complete before starting on such a project.

Citation

Geraedts, R. (2011), "Success and Failure in Flexible Building", Open House International, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 54-62. https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-01-2011-B0007