Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
In support of Housing for All which identified MMC as a means to increase housing delivery, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published a Roadmap for Increased Adoption of Modern Methods of Construction. This document highlights the Government’s support in increasing innovation and productivity gains through using MMC in housing delivery.
The Built Environment Section can advise clients on the incorporation of MMC into their projects and has developed a guidance document to offer authorities a contractual mechanism to encourage the use of MMC utilising the PW-CF2 Public Works Contract for Building Works Designed by the Contractor. PW-CF2 - Guide for use of PW-CF2 Public Works Contract for Building Works Designed by the Contractor | The Housing Agency
BIM
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its whole life cycle. Creating a digital Building Information Model enables those who interact with the building to optimize their choices, resulting in a greater whole life value for the asset.
Internationally, the standard form managing digital information on a BIM project is ISO19650 providing the means to enable digital construction to maximize efficiency in information management.
Building digitally before we build manually saves time and money in the construction process with the detailed design happening at an earlier stage than the traditional process. All consultants engage in the design process by collaborating Architectural, Structural and M&E models to resolve issues before reaching site. This saves time and money not only in the construction phase but also in the operational phase of the asset.
The BIM mandate in Ireland was adopted in 2024 for all public projects. It was introduced on projects with a value above €100 million and above as of January 2024, €20m and above January 2025, 10million and above July 2025, 5 million and above July 2026 to all projects under 1million by Jan 2028.
The BIM adoption is supported by the Build Digital Project.
Sustainability
In line with the Housing Agency’s Sustainability Strategy 2025-2029 the Built Environment Section strives to support the reduction of energy use in housing projects by encouraging the use of existing building stock to reduce new embodied carbon use in new construction
Other Work
Housing First: Housing Unlocked - Making it Happen | The Housing Agency