Abstract/Summary

Construction professionals are continually faced with the challenge of incorporating new technology into their buildings. Much of the current research treats innovations as a discrete entity, thereby overlooking the system properties of many innovations. Far from a bolt on process, implementation often involves extensive accommodation of both the technology and the building. Failure to appreciate this poses significant challenges to the project team, with unintended consequences for the project as a whole. A social construction of technology (SCOT) approach is used to explore the integration of Building Integrated Photovoltaic technology (BIPV) into three commercial projects. By exploring the succession of problems and solutions shaping the uptake of BIPV, the analysis also documents the mutual constitution of both the technology and the building in which it is located. The interest of BIPV lies in the bespoke, system nature of the innovation. Three decision modes are identified which help to explain how solutions can “lock in” features of either the technology or the building, often at the expense of the desired outcome. The research gives practical insights into how the incorporation of technology can shape the building into which it sits and how this processes occurs.