Search
Search
Research hero

Research

Discover more about research and development projects in the world of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) led by Irish higher education institutions and other research-performing organisations, alongside a showcase of research activity across the country, highlighting what is being done to drive new innovation and workforce development in Irish construction.

  • Translating R&D on Innovative Building Materials from the Lab to Real Application in Construction

    Concrete production is one of the more carbon-intensive construction activities. But researchers from Trinity College Dublin are working to showcase that a lower-carbon concrete, produced with biomass ash, offers building companies a commercially viable and equally appliable alternative. How can research and development lead theory to practice and contribute to a more sustainable construction sector?
    Read more
    Group of construction workers in hi-vis vests and hard hats inspecting an outdoor facility.

  • How Can Standardising MMC Product Designs Drive New Efficiencies in Construction Developments?

    Despite the expanded use of offsite construction, Ireland still lacks publicly available, non-proprietary detail libraries for manufacturers, designers, certifiers, and regulators. The STANDARDIZE project in University College Dublin is addressing this, aiming to standardise MMC technologies for greater sector efficiency and mobility.
    Read more
    Five people seated in a semicircle having a panel discussion in an elegant, warmly lit room.
Researching and Developing the Right Concrete Products and Application Systems for 3D Construction Printing

3D construction printing is still in its earliest phase in Irish building, but research into the best-practice materials and applications of this type of Modern Method of Construction (MMC) can help increase the rate of uptake. Two researchers from the Construct Innovate unit of the University of Galway are making this happen. 

Industrial blue mechanical clamp or gripper tool shown in multiple close-up views on a workbench.
Platform4MMC: Supporting Decision-Making to Drive the Adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Ireland

Ireland’s housing targets need to be met rapidly while achieving high sustainability standards. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) offer the opportunity to digitise the construction sector, improving project delivery speed, efficiency, and quality. 

Logo for Platform MMC featuring stacked layers graphic in gray and dark tones.
Taking MMC Research to the Construction Site and Beyond

The MMC Research Group at University College Dublin (UCD), spearheaded by Dr Daniel McCrum, is leading the innovations behind Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).  

Professional headshot of a young man in a navy blazer and white shirt, smiling in an office setting.

Research showcase

  • Cover with a purple gradient background, KPMG logo, and the title “Measuring the Benefit of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).”
    Sep 2023

    Measuring the benefit of MMC

    KPMG
    The saviour to our problems: Modern Methods of Construction. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), despite its name, isn’t all that new. . Simply put, it’s the application of manufacturing processes and procedures aimed at achieving a better balance of standardisation and
    customisation.
    View Report on Kpmg.com
  • Cover with the title “Modern Methods of Construction: Introductory Guide” and the Government of Ireland logo.
    Jul 2023

    Modern Methods of Construction Introductory Guide

    Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Framespace Solutions Ltd, Castleforms Ltd, Cygnum Building Offsite.
    This guide to Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) describes a range of
    innovative construction processes to deliver quality and compliant housing.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Cover with Irish Government logos and the title “Roadmap for increased adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing Delivery.”
    Jul 2023

    Roadmap for increased adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing delivery

    Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment/ Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
    The Government’s Housing for All Action Plan Update articulates a critical need to enable a
    continuous and accelerated flow of compliant and high-quality innovations in construction, including modern methods of construction (MMC), particularly in residential construction. This is to ensure delivery of Housing for All targets and the ongoing transformation of the construction sector. It also facilitates efforts to reduce the embodied carbon and lifecycle environmental impacts of construction.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Cover with the title “Modern Methods of Construction” and a crane overlooking a construction site with hills in the background.
    Jan 2022

    Modern Methods of Construction in Ireland

    Construction Industry Federation
    A Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Working
    Group was established by CIF in 2016 consisting of
    member companies from the Housing, Specialist M&E,
    Civil Engineering, Modular Manufacturers and General
    Contracting companies.
    View Report on cif.ie
  • EY report cover titled “A Detailed Description of Needs for the Irish Construction/Built Environment Sector” with two people using digital devices at a desk.
    Nov 2021

    Needs for the Irish Construction/Built Environment Sector

    Ernst & Young, Enterprise Ireland
    A detailed report on the needs for the Irish construction/built environment sector covering technology and innovation, digital adoption and Modern Methods of Construction in the context of productivity improvement and sustainability.
    View Report on ey.com