1. Overview

The DSSC adopted the concept of building blocks to break data spaces into manageable smaller pieces. Building blocks are basic units or components that can be implemented and combined with other building blocks to achieve the functionality of a data space. We built on the 12 building blocks described in the Design Principles for Data Spaces | Position Paper of the EU-funded OpenDEI project and extended them to 17, that can be divided in 6 categories; ranging from business, governance, and legal to technical building blocks on data interoperability, trust, and data value. Moreover, we are not only adopting the design principles for data spaces but also continuing to improve this model based on the latest insights on data spaces.

An important addition we are introducing is the further elaboration on the business, governance, and legal building blocks as crucial parts of data spaces. The updated Building Block Overview can be found below in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Building Block overview

2. Data Spaces Building Blocks

In Technical Building Blocks, you can find information about specifications. In Organisational and Business Building Blocks, you can find information about the capabilities, elements and the functions of these building blocks.

Compare Your Architecture Using the Building Blocks Overview and Blueprint

The Building Blocks Overview serves as the foundation for the Data Space Blueprint. The Data Spaces building blocks include both functional and technical specifications. Data space initiatives may already have their own specifications and can use this overview to validate their building blocks or identify gaps by comparing them with the blueprint.

We encourage data space initiatives and technology providers to use the building block overview and blueprint to categorise and potentially validate their own blueprints or developments.