DEveloping a Mass Customisation Framework for the Design of Affordable Housing Solutions in Saudi Arabia by Utilising Parametric Modelling, Digital Simulation, and Client Interaction Tools

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has established a tremendous program to develop the country called Saudi Vision 2030. One of the goals of this vision is for the Saudi government to take the initiative to modernise the country and address critical challenges, with a primary goal of reducing the housing deficit due to a rapidly growing population. The Saudi Housing Ministry aims to establish an initiative to facilitate novel construction technologies and has made agreements as part of its contribution to the National Transformation Plan 2030, aiming to increase citizens’ homeownership. However, one challenge in supplying houses is that potential inhabitants have declined to accept them due to designs that fail to meet their demands. Still, none of the housing providers have applied for client involvement. Furthermore, the government struggles to provide high-quality housing that aligns with people's needs because only a few enterprises can meet these needs, but only at the cost of lengthy planning and construction times, as well as increased expenses. This research aims to propose a mass customisation framework for the design of affordable housing solutions in Saudi Arabia by utilising parametric modelling, digital simulation, and client interaction tools that target reduced construction time and costs while incorporating client involvement and environmental simulation. The research method includes conducting interviews with Saudi Arabian architecture firms to collect data about contemporary clients' needs, analysing and reviewing mass customisation tools and techniques, developing a bespoke algorithm capable of mass-customising housing, and evaluating the algorithm through design experiments. Lastly, the findings present the advantages and challenges of the developed tools, and the algorithm's rules for mass-customised floor plan solutions. The results of this study system from a comprehensive investigation, examination, and analysis of the methodology's data, show that client engagement is the crucial factor in client satisfaction with the design. The proposed method allows clients to participate in the design of their homes with a certain level of involvement during the design phase. This study has developed a method that will reduce overall design time as a result of this approach. Additionally, the design has been developed on the interview data that has been collected. Finally, to address these issues, developing mass customisation with parametric algorithms could aim for affordable, context-friendly, and user-friendly housing solutions. Therefore, this research investigates, classifies, and compares mass customisation studies in construction, exploring courtyard houses that could be applied in the Saudi Arabian context with a unique design method that allows clients to engage in their dwelling design.