Shaun Laffan, Architect / Design Manager at Actavo Modular, on the advantages of modular construction and how it could have a transformative effect on Ireland’s housing crisis

How is business at Actavo Modular?
Business at Actavo Modular is performing very well. We are experiencing sustained growth across all the sectors we serve, and that momentum is being driven by recent modular building projects. We are particularly proud of the innovative and sustainable solutions we are delivering for clients in key areas such as education, healthcare, industrial and site accommodation.

Our commitment to safety, operational excellence, and delivering real impact for our clients remains at the heart of everything we do. Looking ahead, we’re excited about expanding into the residential space. Also, we are currently at an advanced stage of attaining a NSAI Agrément Certification for the Actavo Building System for a 10-storey building. This is a significant milestone that opens up new opportunities for us in the housing sector.

How much of an effect are rising material prices having on the business?
While we are seeing a significant increase in supplier prices, which we factor into our tendering process, it hasn’t had a material impact on our business growth. We take a proactive approach, working closely with our supply chain partners to manage inflationary pressures and ensure we continue to offer competitive solutions to our clients.

One of the key strategies we’ve adopted is swift procurement following contract awards, which helps us lock in pricing and mitigate potential cost escalations. Each tender is carefully structured to account for any anticipated increases, ensuring we maintain both our commercial resilience and our commitment to delivering value. On all of our projects, we adopt an innovate approach to value engineering that allows us to provide cost-effective solutions that don’t impinge on client expectations or product quality.

How important is health & safety at Actavo Modular and particularly on the Hollywoodrath project?
At Actavo Modular, safety is our number one priority. It is embedded in our culture and lived by every member of the team, every day. A great example of this is the recent Hollywoodrath school project, which was completed without a single Lost Time Incident (LTI). In fact, the Modular business has remained LTI-free for five consecutive years, covering over one million man-hours. That’s a milestone we’re incredibly proud of, and it reflects the unwavering commitment of our people to maintaining the highest safety standards across all our operations.

Is it difficult to recruit skilled staff?
Absolutely. The labour market is very buoyant at the moment, and like many in the industry, we’re seeing challenges both in attracting and retaining skilled talent. That said, we’re fortunate at Actavo Modular to have a strong, committed team and a notably low staff turnover. We believe that’s a reflection of the kind of employer we strive to be, one that values its people, invests in their development, and fosters a positive, supportive working environment. Our location in Kill, Co. Kildare is also attractive for recruiting and retention of skilled staff.

What are the main challenges facing Actavo Modular?
At Actavo Modular, we use Category 1 Volumetric Modular Construction. This is a specific type of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) where entire building modules including internal finishes, fixtures, and fittings are manufactured off-site in our factory-controlled environment and then transported to site for assembly.

The construction industry has been relatively slow to adopt Category 1 Volumetric Modular Construction across the board. At present, the Department of Education remains the primary driver of Modular projects, but much of that work tends to be seasonal, which presents its own challenges.That said, we are starting to see encouraging signs of movement in other sectors beginning to explore Modular Construction as a viable option. While it hasn’t yet been fully embraced industry-wide, we’re optimistic that as awareness of the benefits grows, particularly around speed, sustainability, and quality, we’ll see broader adoption and more Category 1 Volumetric Modular Construction projects across a wider range of sectors, where 90% of the project can be completed off-site.

What are the advantages to using Category 1 Volumetric Modular Construction?
MMC have been around for decades, over 50 years in fact but only in more recent years have we seen the industry begin to seriously explore Category 1 Volumetric Modular Construction solutions. That shift has been slower than many would have hoped, but the benefits are becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Speed, quality, and cost are the three pillars where Volumetric Modular Construction really delivers. Projects can be completed significantly faster than traditional builds, with consistent, factory-controlled quality and greater cost certainty. As the industry continues to evolve, we’re seeing growing recognition of these advantages, and we believe that wider adoption of Volumetric MMC is not just inevitable, it’s essential for meeting future demand efficiently and sustainably.

If modular construction was adopted by more firms in the industry, do you think it would make a significant difference to Ireland’s housing crisis and lack of infrastructure?
Absolutely. If the government and housing developers were to fully commit to delivering housing through Volumetric Modular Construction, it would have a transformative effect on the market. Not only would it accelerate delivery, but it would also create the conditions to attract more skilled labour and encourage new businesses to enter the space. That kind of commitment would send a strong signal to the wider industry and help build the ecosystem needed to scale up Volumetric Modular Construction effectively.

Why has the industry relatively been slow to adopt Volumetric Modular Construction and is that changing?
I think the construction industry’s slow adoption of MMC and in particular category 1 Volumetric Modular Construction can be attributed to a combination of structural, cultural, and economic factors but there are signs that this is beginning to change. Volumetric Modular Construction still battles outdated perceptions often associated with temporary or low-quality structures despite major advances in design and performance. Also, some clients and contractors are unfamiliar with the sequencing, timelines, and benefits of Volumetric Modular Construction. This knowledge gap can lead to hesitation.

I can wholeheartedly say that Category 1 Volumetric Construction does not compromise on the building product being delivered. To put it simply, Modular Construction is just a different method of delivery.

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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE