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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.

  • 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

  • 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 squarespace.com
  • Graphic titled “BUSI2030 – National Upskilling Roadmap 2030 for the Built Environment,” featuring an illustration of hands holding the Earth with green buildings, wind turbines, solar panels, and birds, representing sustainability and environmental innovation.
    Mar 2024

    National Upskilling Roadmap 2030 for the Built Environment

    CIF, Irish Green Building Council, LOETB, Technological University of the Shannon
    The project’s scope is to analyse the current and future skills gaps in sustainable construction for 2030. It aims to create a National Upskilling Roadmap for Ireland to achieve its climate targets for housing, retrofitting, renewables and the decarbonisation of Ireland’s built environment.
    View Report on igbc.ie
  • Cover titled 'Homegrown C16 – Increasing the use of Irish home grown C16 timber in Housing Construction'
    Feb 2024

    Homegrown C16: Increasing the use of Irish home grown C16 timber in housing construction

    Dr Patrick McGetrick (University of Galway)
    This short project led by the Timber Engineering Research Group (TERG) at University of Galway aims to provide a summary of solutions and recommendations that can promote an increase in the use of homegrown Irish timber in housing (low and high rise) and offsite construction in Ireland.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover titled 'Viable Homes – Practical guidance for planners and developers on carbon optimisation of housing developments'
    Feb 2024

    Viable Homes: Practical guidance for planners and developers on carbon optimisation of housing developments

    Oliver Kinnane (UCD) and Pat Barry (Irish Green Building Council)
    This report intends to highlight to planners and other key stakeholders of the built environment the whole life carbon impacts of the continued construction of new low-rise, low-density dwellings on greenfield sites and to provide recommendations to mitigate these impacts by promoting a switch to a low-rise, medium density model.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie
  • Cover with the title “Modern Methods of Construction: barriers and benefits for Irish housing”
    Feb 2024

    Modern Methods of Construction: Barriers and Benefits for Irish Housing (CIOB Report)

    CIOB, TASC
    Greater use of MMC offers many potential benefits to those working within the sector and to society at large. It provides opportunities for a more sustainable built environment, better working conditions, and a more productive construction sector that can deliver high-quality homes more quickly than conventional, onsite construction.
    View Report on ciob.org
  • Cover page of the AHARDD Programme Final Report titled 'Sustainable living houses and apartments performance data"
    Feb 2024

    Accelerated Housing Applied Research, Dissemination and Demonstration Final Report

    Prof Jamie Goggins and Dr Paul Moran (University of Galway)
    This project builds on the work of HEAT-CHECK, a project funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which is examining the energy demand and indoor environmental quality levels of 100 new and retrofit homes with the overall objective of improving the DEAP energy compliance procedure.
    View Report on constructinnovate.ie