Barriers to the implementation of modular construction in Ireland: a case study from an Irish small and medium-sized enterprise perspective

Traditional construction has begun to struggle with societal demands. Modular construction and pre-fabrication have been studied, providing clear insight into their capabilities. An absence of research based on modular construction in Ireland is evident. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that are inhibiting modular construction adoption in Ireland. A qualitative research method is applied, using 6 semi-structured interviews with the target case study. The firm is based in the southwest of Ireland, with an annual turnover of €10 million, with 55 staff employed. Findings from this pilot study show that the barriers are varied yet subjective to the firm. It is evident that education and knowledge is a core solution to overcoming these barriers. It is recommended that modular workshops should be implemented for academia and industry to fully comprehend what volumetric modular is and its capabilities.