ICF – Lighter, Easier, and Faster Installation Using Ireland’s Most Popular Construction Material
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) offers numerous benefits over traditional concrete blockwork, and in recent years many ICF systems have been developed and launched in Ireland. BuildBlock is the latest offering on the market – and ICS Design & Build had adopted the system to great effect in housing projects across Go. Galway and beyond.
One of the major opportunities for the Irish construction industry in the next decade is normalising systems and technologies reducing the workload for individuals onsite. This move would go beyond making up for the current shortfall of workers currently in the building sector. It would also ensure that site workers already in the industry will stay active in it for longer. Less wear and tear on the body and easier installation of building systems means more projects that can be completed by the same workers onsite.
While there are several Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) that can make the building process easier and faster, Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) is a good example. With an ICF system, onsite crews can assemble a building superstructure by connecting blocks made from expanded polystyrene and then pouring the concrete. This makes transporting ICF blocks quicker, maneuvering them easier – and ICF offers good thermal insulation.
These benefits in assembly and installation make ICF an increasingly popular option for construction companies nationwide, particularly in one-off builds. Data from the Department of Housing shows 244 projects using ICF commenced in April 2026, the highest monthly total since the Department began gathering data on MMC in May 2025.
BuildBlock, founded in 2004 in Oklahoma by ICF specialist Mike Garrett, has become one of the leading ICF manufacturers in the United States and Canada. BuildBlock has a strong reputation for its engineering-led approach to ICF manufacturing, with the system widely recognised for its structural integrity, thermal performance, and ease of installation.
Now, the system available to the Irish, UK and European markets – led by Paul Conway, Director & Founder of BuildBlock Ireland.
Paul’s reputation in the construction industry has been built over more than 30 years of hands-on experience across multiple international markets.
Raised within his family’s ready-mix concrete and quarrying business in Kildavin, Co. Carlow, he developed practical construction knowledge from an early age before later completing his engineering qualification and Master’s in Project Management. Over the past three decades, he has accumulated extensive construction and project delivery experience across Ireland, the United States, Qatar, the UAE, and wider European markets, managing large-scale projects in both contracting and development sectors.
“I’ve spent my entire life around construction. From working in the family concrete business in my younger years, to managing global projects, I’ve always had a strong interest in systems that improve build quality, speed and energy performance.”
Director & Founder of BuildBlock Ireland
Paul first encountered ICF as a building system while completing an extension to his parents’ home in 2006 and immediately recognised its long-term potential.
“The energy efficiency, strength and ease of installation were exceptional. I could see even then that ICF would become a major part of the future of construction.”
Director & Founder of BuildBlock Ireland
While working as a Project Director in Qatar in 2014, Paul made his first attempt to launch a licensed ICF business, but geopolitical instability in the region resulted in funding being withdrawn. After returning to Ireland in 2018, he revisited the opportunity before global disruption caused by Covid-19 delayed his plans once again. Undeterred, Paul secured the BuildBlock trade licence for Ireland, the UK, and Europe in 2020, partnering with Kingspan as the local manufacturing partner to finally bring the system to market.
“Now is the right time for Modern Methods of Construction in Ireland. Builders are far more open to innovative systems that improve efficiency, reduce labour pressures, and deliver better energy performance.”
Director & Founder of BuildBlock Ireland
BuildBlock Ireland is currently in the final stages of Agrément Certification with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Once certified, the system will also be incorporated into ICF training programmes at the Mount Lucas National Construction Training Centre, helping to establish national best practice standards for ICF installation.
“We already provide practical training for builders interested in becoming certified BuildBlock installers. The focus is on both technical understanding and practical application onsite. Partnering with Mount Lucas will help ensure quality installation standards and support the long-term growth of ICF construction in Ireland.”
Director & Founder of BuildBlock Ireland
One ICF installer using BuildBlock is Rob Haverty, Founder of ICS Design & Build.
‘ICS’ stands for ‘Innovative Construction Solutions’, and it’s easy to see why Rob choose the name as the company is among the leading ICF contractors in the West of Ireland.
“We worked with the BuildBlock system on a recent one-off build in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. We started by laying down a Kingspan insulated raft substructure, and then built the ICF superstructure from BuildBlock up from that, adding a Pozi joist system after, and lastly prefabricated roof trusses.”
Founder of ICS Design & Build
Rob highlights how, in starting his business, he decided to use ICF as it is so thermally efficient. This is because an ICF system is homogenous – other types of builds require a superstructure to be connected to insulation, increasing the chances of thermal bridging. The Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standard mean walls often need to be thicker to accommodate more insulation and ventilation, which makes installation more difficult for blocklayers. ICF is single leaf, which means no structural cavity to make airtight, and it is much lighter to fit before concrete is poured.
Although ICS Design & Build uses ICF systems from a number of Ireland’s main providers (including Amvic ICF and Altherm ICF), the addition of BuildBlock Ireland to the market offers Rob yet another option for completing one-off builds and small developments.
“We try to work with a range of construction companies, rather than backing one or another. There is lots of building to be done, and certain systems are going to be better for certain projects than others, so we keep an open mind to all our options.”
Founder of ICS Design & Build
Rob’s journey into the use of ICF started with him working onsite as a Carpenter in the US after finishing school. Fascinated by the system, he returned to Ireland to study Engineering at Technical University of the Shannon. He went onto to study Business Management while also pursuing short courses in Operational Health & Safety, and Revit.
After setting up ICS Design & Build, he undertook training courses at Mount Lucas Training Centre in Airtightness and Vapour Control to increase his understanding f building to Passivhaus standards. Rob also worked with a certified installer for Amvic ICF, saying the only way to truly learn about the ins and outs of ICF block installation is to ‘do it yourself’.
Today, ICS Design & Build, with BuildBlock Ireland’s ICF system as a core component, offers one of the most efficient and rapid house development methods in the Irish market.
“Each floor of a typical house build takes roughly seven days to complete, with the main building work done in around seven weeks. We have found ICF the simplest way of making a house completely weather-tight in the shortest possible time.”
Founder of ICS Design & Build
