Louth needs more 3D construction houses built, says local councillor

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

The first social housing project in Europe to be built using 3D technology was opened in Dundalk earlier this year, but calls for the scheme to be replicated across the county have now emerged.

Ireland’s first residential housing development constructed using printing technology was launched in Grange Close in February 2025.

The three two-storey, three-bedroom terraced units were allocated to three families previously on the local authority housing list, and were the result of a unique partnership between Louth County Council, Harcourt Technologies, Roadstone, Louth & Meath Education & Training Board (LMETB) and Harcourt Architects.

As Louth County Council held it’s Budget 2026 meeting, plans for the development of new housing projects were up for debate.

Cllr. Maeve Yore asked if the council could seek an allocation from the department to fund more of the 3D building projects, given the success of the scheme in Dundalk.

Director of Housing, Ger Murphy, said: “It is an area we are looking at, as the government has asked for an increase in the use of modern methods of construction,” said Mr. Murphy.

He added that a number of new approaches had emerged from the recently launched national housing plan, and the council would be looking at funding streams to develop further housing schemes of a similar nature to the 3D housing project.

The 3D construction printing methods allow for new houses to be delivered at a faster rate than traditional construction methods.

The Grange Close project has been recognised with a Standards Innovation Award from the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and also won the Housing Project of the Year – Medium category at the Building & Architect of the Year Awards.