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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?
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    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.
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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).  

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Research showcase

  • Graphic: "Timber in Construction Steering Group – Final Report and Recommendations" cover with timber staircase.
    Jun 2026

    Timber in Construction Steering Group – Final Report and Recommendations

    Interdepartmental & Industry Steering Group on Timber in Construction
    The Steering Group has developed a set of measures in this document to accelerate the safe use of timber in construction in a coherent roadmap focused on: education and research underpinning safe regulation; regulation and procurement creating market demand; data and incentives enabling monitoring and uptake; and public leadership to build confidence and drive industry innovation.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Construct Innovate logo with text: "Alternative Irish-based materials suitable as cementitious binders"
    Apr 2026

    Alternative Irish-Based Materials Suitable as Cementitious Binders

    Dr Niall Holmes (Technological University Dublin)
    Developing alternative cements goes beyond environmental concerns; it also has economic and strategic dimensions. Innovation in binder technology could position the Irish cement sector at the forefront of sustainable material export markets and reduce reliance on imported cementitious products. This research underscores a gap in identifying new locally available or engineered alternatives that can sustain and expand low-carbon cement production in Ireland.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover of a report titled “TimberFlow: Enhancing Efficiency in Mass Timber Construction through Innovative Design Practices and Capacity Building”, by Construct Innovate – Built Environment Research Ireland.
    Apr 2026

    TimberFlow – Enhancing Efficiency in Mass Timber Construction through Innovative Design Practices and Capacity Building

    Dr. Muhammad Gulzari (University College Dublin)
    This report outlines the development of an open-source software tool designed to make mass timber construction more efficient and accessible in Ireland. The main finding of the report is that while timber is a sustainable and high-performing alternative to concrete and steel, its use in Ireland is limited by the complexity of structural design rules. To solve this, the team created the TimberFlow tool using the Python programming language.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Sisk logo graphic on red background with text: "How much does span really cost in carbon?"
    Mar 2026

    SISK Slab Carbon Matrix Research

    SISK
    This research analyses the embodied carbon performance of multiple slab systems used in office buildings, testing how they behave across increasing grid sizes and comparing them under identical layout conditions.
    View Report on sisk.com
  • Logo for Construct Innovate with "3DREDO" project title for 3D-printed concrete reinforcement.
    Feb 2026

    3DREDO: Development and 3D Printing of Three-Dimensional Reinforcement from Waste Composites for Concrete Structures

    Dr Pouyan Ghabezi, Dr Alireza Rahimi (University of Galway)
    3DREDO is an initiative that aims to harness this opportunity and develop three-dimensional reinforcement systems using the 3D printing technique from recycled polymer and composite waste. The broad objective is to improve the ductility, fracture mechanics, and strength properties of the cementitious matrix while following the circular economy and the Ireland National Research Centre for Construction Technology and Innovation themes.
    View Report on sites-eu1.com
  • Logo and cover page for Home Performance Pathway Technical Manual v1.0.
    Feb 2026

    Home Performance Pathway Technical Manual

    Brian Crowley, Johanna Varghese, Pat Barry, John Fingleton (Irish Green Building Council) & Construct Innovate
    This is the technical manual for the Home Performance Pathway certification process, designed to provide a progressive pathway towards building skills for Home Performance Index certification. The purpose of this manual is to support the assessment of new homes in line with the certification processes and procedures as set out by the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC); and in doing so allow the IGBC to make informed and measured certification decisions and approvals.
    View Report on sites-eu1.com