Construct Innovative aims to build a better construction sector in Ireland
Construct Innovate, Ireland’s Research Centre for Construction Technology based at the University of Galway, has started to onboard new members and is working to develop new advanced processes and harness innovative thinking in the Irish construction sector.
Construct Innovate, Ireland’s Research Centre for Construction Technology and Innovation, brings together multidisciplinary research groups in five partner institutions (University of Galway, University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and the Irish Green Building Council). Researchers and academics work together with Construct Innovate members under the five pillars: 1. Productivity, affordability & cost 2. Quality & safety 3. Sustainability 4. Skills & training 5. Collaboration.
Construct Innovate objectives
Construct Innovate aims to empower the construction industry to directly influence and participate in the research, development and innovation process. The working groups within Construct Innovate are formed by stakeholders in the construction/built environment sector (eg, SMEs, start-ups, research-performing organisations (RPOs), universities, associations, professional bodies, government agencies, etc) to carry out cooperative activities of general interest for the sector and promote large R&D projects on a collaborative basis. This will drive partnerships on research proposals and the development of major innovation projects that otherwise would not have been possible to carry out individually. It will reduce barriers for the industry to access innovation due to research being led by industry needs. Furthermore, the proposed governance and management structures of Construct Innovate drive cooperation between RPOs and member companies and provide an international perspective.
Construct Innovate MMC webinars
On 26 October 2022, Construct Innovate hosted a webinar on the opportunities and challenges of modern methods of construction (MMC) and their adoption in Ireland. The event started with the introduction and background from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Representatives from industry (Evolusion Innovation, Vision Built), the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), HomeBond and the Building Research Establishment UK then presented their perspectives on MMC. A Q&A session with participants followed the presentations. A report from the webinar was published and includes the key findings from the presentations and a summary of the discussions. This report is available at www.constructinnovate.ie/resources
Construction stakeholder events
Construct Innovate helped to facilitate a construction stakeholder event on accelerating MMC, which took place in Trinity College Dublin on 22 February 2023. The event was organised by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Many insights and practical steps were discussed that industry and government could take together to accelerate the adoption of MMC in housing.
