Media Hub

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has created eight videos, in conjunction with industry leaders and TV personality Harrison Gardener, to give Irish construction businesses a solid grounding in the fundamentals of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). 

This involves constructing three-dimensional units in a factory setting, which are then transported to the site for assembly. These modules can be fully finished, with internal fittings and services installed, before they even reach the site for efficiency and to reduce the time spent onsite. 

These are flat panels that are manufactured off-site and assembled onsite to form a building. They can be used for walls, floors, and roofs and are often made from materials like timber, steel, or concrete. The panels can be insulated (like Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs) or non-insulated. 

This category combines elements of both volumetric and panelised systems. Hybrid systems offer the flexibility of panelised systems with the speed of volumetric construction, allowing for more complex designs and layouts. 

Commonly known as 3D printing, this involves the use of digital 3D models to fabricate building components or even entire buildings by layering material. This method offers high levels of customisation and can significantly reduce waste. 

This includes non-load-bearing mini-volumetric units (pods) or pre-formed wiring looms. It also includes unitised non-structural walling systems, roofing finishes, and pre-sized materials. This category aims to improve efficiency and safety by pre-fabricating components that are then easily assembled onsite.

This includes traditional building methods but using modern materials and techniques to improve performance. It’s about applying contemporary knowledge and practices to conventional construction approaches. 

This category involves innovative techniques applied onsite. These could include novel methods of site preparation, innovative building techniques, or the use of modern, high-performance materials. Examples could include using advanced lifting equipment, robotic construction, or optimised digital workflows to streamline tasks onsite.