Software architecture and renovation - a world in common

The renovation project is proceeding. What does a renovation project have in common with sw architecture?

In a short time space many decisions have been made concerning the bathroom, walls and fireplace. Like sw architecture, once an architectural decision has been made and implemented it will be very costly and difficult to change, just imagine wanting to replace the IP protocol. The point is that you just want to make it right - or flexible enough to reverse it when the time comes. Literally (since it is a renovation project), only carve in stone the things you have to carve in stone.

In order to be able to make a lot of decisions quickly I had to rely on something familiar. My internal guide for these decisions were drawn from good sw architecture - open interfaces and no hard coding. All old cupboards made from brick were torn down - because then the door is hard coded. They will be replaced with wooden cupboards that can be put wherever. The old brick fireplace was removed and replaced in such a manner that the floor and the wall will remain intact even if the fireplace is changed once again. In the bathroom the old bathtub was thrown out and replaced with a stand alone bathtub for the same reason, etc..

If this philosophy would be pushed to the limit it would mean that I would have to tear down all brick walls and lay one floor first and then build the walls in a changeable manner. However I will let this impurity remain before I run out of all my funds.