Building Systems
How construction methods, structures and technical interfaces shape architecture — assemblies, details and systems explained for working designers.
Building systems influence cost, programme, carbon, tolerances, transport and the freedom to change a project later. Labels such as prefab, modular or mass timber are starting points, not automatic guarantees of speed or sustainability.
This topic compares systems through the decisions that matter before procurement: geometry, interfaces, local capability, certification, logistics and whole-life performance. Claims are tied to sources and their limitations.
Published stories
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): The Complete Guide to Costs, Types, Rules and Design
A complete, practical guide to accessory dwelling units for homeowners: the five ADU types, real 2026 cost ranges, the zoning and permit rules that decide feasibility, prefab versus custom construction, and the design moves that make a small home live large.
- Design for Disassembly: Buildings That Can Change
Reversible architecture needs more than exposed bolts. Plan the layers, access, component records and future decisions that allow a building to remain useful as needs change.
- Prefab vs Modular Homes: What Changes Before You Build?
Prefab is not one type of house, and modular is not a synonym for manufactured. This evidence-led guide explains the systems, legal distinctions and design decisions that matter before a project leaves the drawing board.