bricksystem

Bricksystem is a modular design and construction concept centered on standardized interlocking units, or bricks, that can be assembled to create buildings, installations, or digital workflows. The approach emphasizes reuse, scalability, and rapid prototyping, enabling teams to adapt layouts and functions as needs change.

The concept draws from toy brick systems and has been adopted across architecture, engineering, and software. In physical construction, brick systems use modular blocks with consistent dimensions and connection methods, enabling prefabrication and fast on-site assembly. In software and data processing, bricks correspond to self-contained units with defined interfaces that can be combined to form pipelines or service architectures.

Key components of a bricksystem include bricks (structural, infill, or specialized blocks), connectors or joints, fasteners, and, where appropriate, reinforcement, insulation, or mounting hardware. Designs aim for compatibility across brick sizes and materials to allow mixed assemblies while maintaining predictable performance.

Applications span modular housing and offices, exhibition and retail installations, disaster relief shelters, and educational or demonstrator kits. In software contexts, bricks are modular plugins or processing blocks connected by clear input/output interfaces, enabling flexible data flows and reconfiguration.

Advantages of bricksystems include flexibility, ease of expansion, reduced material waste, and shorter project timelines. Challenges involve achieving standardization across manufacturers, ensuring structural integrity and thermal performance, managing transportation of modules, and evaluating lifecycle costs.

Variants exist in multiple industries, including interlocking concrete blocks, hollow clay or aerated concrete bricks, and modular steel or timber frames. Digital or virtual bricksystems are also used to model and simulate modular configurations before construction.