Exploring the implementation of digital fabrication in construction: Combining system approaches and a revelatory case study from Switzerland
Loading...
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
12.2025
Typ of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
01A - Journal article
Editors
Editor (Corporation)
Supervisor
Parent work
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
Link
Series
Series number
Volume
151
Issue / Number
12
Pages / Duration
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
American Society of Civil Engineers
Place of publication / Event location
Edition
Version
Programming language
Assignee
Practice partner / Client
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.
Keywords
Subject (DDC)
Event
Exhibition start date
Exhibition end date
Conference start date
Conference end date
Date of the last check
ISBN
ISSN
0733-9364
1943-7862
1943-7862
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
No
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Closed
License
Citation
Tan, T., Graser, K., Walzer, A., Ng, M. S., & 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). https://doi.org/10.1061/jcemd4.coeng-16680