Defining Interfaces to Facilitate Building Module Change

Modular construction in the building industry remains largely misunderstood, despite numerous studies on the subject. With confusion around what constitutes a module, how it is defined and differentiated from other modules, and how they interface. This study examines interface characteristics; types, standardization, and reversibility (three measurable categories based on Fixson (2005) function-component allocation (FCA) tool for product architecture assessments) and assesses product architecture interfaces to apply them to building product architecture. The intent of this examination is to understand the interface’s role in any transfer of module functions across modules. Defining interfaces to better differentiate building modules from each other should ultimately facilitate the identification of what specific functions of the building component modules that need to be designed, manufactured, assembled, changed, and disassembled. From the examination, the discussion arising seeks to advance on how a building spatial module function designation might transfer functions at an interface, to provide clarity on the functional requirements for component modules to meet.