Dublin, 3 October 2025 — The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published a new Standardised Design Approaches Study, aimed at reducing construction costs and accelerating housing delivery through the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
Standardisation to Drive Efficiency
Minister for Housing James Browne TD said the study highlights the potential of standardised housing design — covering layouts, building services, and construction components — to streamline projects while maintaining quality and sustainability. “Standardisation brings many great benefits across all stages of the delivery of new homes – from design to construction to long-term management,” he noted.
The report outlines five model housing designs, optimised for MMC, that can be applied across both public and private housing projects. By adopting these approaches, the sector is expected to achieve greater cost savings, faster delivery, and improved consistency in housing quality.
Cultural Shift in Housebuilding
Minister Browne stressed the need for a “cultural change” in Ireland’s approach to homebuilding, pointing to MMC as a central tool in meeting urgent housing demand. The study provides detailed guidance for developers, contractors, architects, manufacturers, and training bodies, ensuring that the benefits of standardisation are widely understood and implemented.
Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Alignment
The study was commissioned by the Department and delivered by a consultant team led by Hawkins Brown Architects, with extensive input from industry and government stakeholders. It complements the Roadmap for Increased Adoption of MMC in Public Housing Delivery, part of Ireland’s broader Housing for All strategy.
Broader Significance
Standardisation, long used in other industries to enhance efficiency and reliability, is now being positioned as a cornerstone of Ireland’s housing policy. By embedding uniform processes and components, the government aims to balance speed, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in tackling the country’s housing shortage.
Affordable Housing Design Picture by CM Property
Source: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – Standardised Design Approaches Study
