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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. This is 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

  • Cover with the title “Boosting Ireland’s Housing Supply: Modern Methods of Construction” and a NESC logo in the top left.
    Sep 2024

    Boosting Ireland’s Housing Supply: Modern Methods of Construction

    National Economic & Social Council
    This report by the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) investigates the potential of MMC to significantly boost housing supply. It highlights progress under the MMC roadmap, an important and ambitious State policy designed to achieve greater adoption of MMC in public housing delivery and the housing system more widely.
    View Report on nesc.ie
  • A digital graphic with the logos of the World Green Building Council and the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC).
    Aug 2024

    Minimum Energy Performance Standards and Renovation Trajectories in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

    Irish Green Building Council
    The publication sets out a sequence for how national governments could introduce policy measures and guidance to facilitate the successful implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and renovation trajectories for European buildings, as outlined in the EPBD.
    View Report on igbc.ie
  • Cover with the title “Supporting the Circular Economy Transition in the Irish Construction Sector” on a black and teal background with curved lines.
    Jul 2024

    Supporting the Circular Economy Transition in the Irish Construction Sector

    CSG Innovation and Digital Delivery Subgroup – Sustainability and Climate Action Consultative Committee
    The purpose of this document is to set out a sectoral perspective on why the Irish construction sector needs to understand and embed circular economy principles.
    View Report on acei.ie
  • Abstract graphic cover featuring geometric shapes in orange, grey, yellow, and white, with the EY logo in the top right corner.
    Jul 2024

    Skills for Modern Methods of Construction

    Ernst & Young Business Advisory Services
    Housing is an essential infrastructure in any society. Ireland’s housing market has experienced significant volatility over the past two decades, with current housing demand outstripping supply. Housing for All is the Government’s housing plan to 2030. It is a multi-annual, multi-billion
    euro plan which aims to improve Ireland’s housing system and deliver more homes of all types for people with different housing needs.
    View Report on Egfsn.ie
  • Cover with the title “Build 2024: Construction Sector Performance and Capacity” and a partial image of a modern building facade.
    Jun 2024

    Construction Sector Performance and Capacity

    Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    Commissioned by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), this report examines construction sector performance and capacity, including the potential of MMC to increase the speed of delivery of new homes through innovation.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Build Digital logo beside text "Digitalisation for a Circular Economy (DiCE)" with cloud imagery.
    Mar 2024

    Digitalisation for a Circular Economy (DiCE)

    Build Digital
    The main objective of the report will focus on the opportunities to incorporate circular economy principles into construction and elaborate on a series of resources which are available for interested stakeholders. The report particularly focuses on the opportunities aligned with the increasing digitalisation of the industry and how such tools can be used to not only increase productivity but also increase circularity within the industry.
    View Report on builddigitalproject.ie