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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.

  • 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.
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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 page with the Government of Ireland logo. Text reads: 'Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan, June 2025
    Jun 2025

    Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan

    Ernst & Young, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
    This report has been prepared by Ernst & Young, in accordance with an engagement agreement with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (“DFHERIS”) for professional services, covering an Action Plan which outlines the actionsneeded to deliver the recommendations in the detailed skills assessment report, Research and Forecast for Skills Required for Modern Methods of Construction”.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • ACEI Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland logo on a Position Paper on CWMF BIM Requirements document cover.
    May 2025

    Position Paper on the CWMF BIM Requirements

    Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI)
    This position paper sets the context for the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland’s (ACEI) support of the Capital Works Management Framework Building Information Modelling requirements — to be implemented on public sector projects in a staged manner over a four-year period — and provides recommendations to Government and ACEI members.
    View Report on acei.ie
  • Illustration titled “Building a Circular Ireland – A Roadmap for a Resource Efficient Circular Built Environment,” featuring the map of Ireland within a multicoloured circular graphic, surrounded by icons of buildings, cranes, vehicles, wind turbines, and cyclists, symbolising sustainability and circular economy in construction.
    May 2025

    Building a Circular Ireland

    Irish Green Building Council
    The approach of the ‘Building a Circular Ireland’ roadmap (2025-2040) is to focus on strategies for prevention and reuse, better design, resource efficiency, and the added value of innovative business models.
    View Report on igbc.ie
  • Build Digital presentation slide titled “Digitalisation for a Circular Economy (DiCE)” with a logo and cloud background.
    Mar 2025

    Digitalisation for a Circular Economy

    Project Ireland 2040
    This report aims to highlight the opportunities for increased sustainability and circular economy principles that can be incorporated into the construction industry and the role of digital technologies in stimulating the transformation of the construction industry in its drive to be more sustainable and circular.
    View Report on squarespace.com
  • Cover page of the Build Digital report titled “Material Passports – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions,”
    Mar 2025

    Material Passports – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions

    Project Ireland 2040
    This literature review report embarks on a comprehensive exploration using a mixed qualitative methodology to refine papers for Material Passports and identify the gaps of their current stated. Based on the gap analysis a proposed framework for Dynamic Material Passports will be proposed for future research.
    View Report on tudublin.ie
  • Cover page of a research article titled “Understanding the embodied carbon credentials of modern methods of construction.”
    Feb 2025

    Understanding the Embodied Carbon Credentials of Modern Methods of Construction

    Richard O’Hegarty, Samar Raffoul, Oliver Kinnane, Thanat Thanapornpakornsin (UCD), Aislinn McCarthy (Aarhus School of Architecture), Jack O'Hagan (Delft University of Technology)
    This study assesses the embodied carbon credentials of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) by conducting a critical literature review and synthesis of the findings. While several studies have reviewed the broader impacts of MMC, no other study to date has comprehensively reviewed the embodied carbon credentials of this construction typology.
    View Report on journal-buildingscities.org