Spotlight on Build Digital: Driving Innovation in Irish Construction and Built Environment Industries
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Ó: An Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí, Bonneagair, Athchóiriúcháin Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Digitiúcháin
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Meán Fómhair 2025
At Build Digital, we believe a key enabler to improved efficiency, productivity and sustainability within the construction and built environment sectors in Ireland is through increased and enhanced digitalisation.
The Irish Government established Build Digital in 2021, as a priority action of the Construction Sector Group Innovation and Digital Adoption sub-group, to support digital advancement in the Irish built environment and construction sector. Build Digital was designed as a collaborative project, working in conjunction with five Irish universities (ATU, MTU, SETU, TU Dublin, and UCD), industry stakeholders from the construction and built environment sectors and the Irish Government.
Most projects see a natural evolution over their lifespan and Build Digital is no exception. Advances in technology and rapid innovation within construction, along with increasing societal challenges regarding adequate delivery of housing and infrastructure, have resulted in the progression of Build Digital’s objectives, aspirations and targets.
One such Build Digital ‘pivot’, was to produce a suite of supports in response to the Government's introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM) requirements into the Capital Works Management Framework often referred to as the Irish BIM mandate. This mandate, launched in January 2024, requires the use of the ISO 19650 series of standards, Uniclass classification system, Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and International Cost Management Standard (ICMS) for all public sector projects by 2028.
The implementation of the Irish BIM Mandate has elevated Ireland’s competitiveness by aligning with international standards and adopting best practices in European and global markets.
Build Digital believes in the transformative power of collaboration across industry, academia and Government. Collaboration with these stakeholders creates a foundation of knowledge, industry expertise and creative problem-solving. Build Digital’s centralised position allows us to offer resources and tools that support legislation and guide industry stakeholders in the advancement of their digital adoption journeys. This engagement and interaction supports the sharing of knowledge and is vital to the success of Build Digital in driving the adoption of digital tools and workflows.
If the work of Build Digital is of interest to you, please see the Build Digital Annual Conference, or take part in this survey at www.builddigitalproject.ie/engage
Key project milestones for the remainder of the year are the launch of our annual survey which tracks digital adoption in the Irish construction and built environment sectors, and our annual conference (scheduled for Thursday, October 9th 2025, in Galway), which will have panelists and speakers from key areas of industry, academia, and Government.
Looking ahead, we believe that collaboration and connection between all cohorts and members of the construction industry is key to the efficient delivery of vital infrastructure projects. We believe that through the adoption of digital practices, the Irish construction and built environment sectors will see a transformation in the way we work. Knowledge sharing, information management and transfer will become more streamlined, and this will allow organisations to ensure the timely delivery of public and private sector projects. While Build Digital was established for a five-year term, the adoption of new and transformative digital tools and work processes will be an ongoing evolution within the Irish construction and built environment industries.
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