Conference Programme
Education Buildings Ireland 2026 included a CPD-accredited conference, allowing delegates to drive deeper into the most pressing topics in education infrastructure across Ireland, focused on schools and higher education.
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08:00
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90 mins
08:30
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EduBreakfast60 mins
09:45
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Stage 115 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
10:00
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Stage 115 mins
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Stage 345 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
This session explores how education and training are supporting the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). It will highlight new skills provision at the National Construction Training Campus, the Skillnet MMC Accelerate Platform for industry upskilling, and the development of an MSc in MMC Leadership. Together, the speakers will provide a concise overview of how training, innovation and leadership development are aligning to drive MMC across the sector.
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10:15
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Stage 115 mins
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10:30
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30 mins
11:00
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Stage 160 minsThis session explores the potential that Modern Methods of Construction brings to the educational building sector, highlighting some of the recent success in delivering modular buildings. Low embodied carbon, high performance modern buildings which are delivered using innovative MMC building systems must prove themselves compliant with the full gamut of current building regulations and building standards. The panel will outline the complexities of modern building compliance regimes, the reasons behind such complexities and the value that we can all derive when MMC delivers permanent school buildings.ChairpersonSpeakers
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Stage 260 minsThis session focuses on inclusive campus design and planning. It will explore how a multi school campus can be designed to maximise integration opportunities between mainstream and special schools. Inclusive and innovative urban design is at the core of these projects. We will hear about exemplar schools in the German speaking community of East Belgium where an inclusive education system has been implemented successfully for over 10 years. Special education is provided through integrated support within mainstream schools to promote inclusion.From relevant research, we will delve into an integrated campus project at design stages on Programme Innovate. The panel will discuss what it takes to design an integrated school campus, while managing interim expansion and complexities on a live school site and ultimately delivering the future inclusive vision. We will cover stakeholder engagement, relevant research, the operational realities and the conditions for success.Speakers
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Minerva Suite60 minsThis session will outline how the Department of Education and Youth’s Forward Planning Unit identifies capacity and forecasts demand from across school planning areas, share insights from experienced post-primary principals on optimising school accommodation, and conclude with case studies that have improved capacity across two schools including the provision of special education needs accommodation.Speakers
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Stage 360 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
As higher education institutions respond to growing student demand, evolving teaching and learning methods, sustainability ambitions, and the need to make every square metre count, the focus is increasingly shifting from building more spaces to measuring, optimising and reimagining the use of the existing tertiary education estate. This session explores how evidence-based planning, innovative learning environments, adaptive reuse, and sustainability frameworks are reshaping the future of the higher education estate.
Beginning with UCD's data-driven approach to space utilisation and optimisation, the session demonstrates how existing estate capacity can be unlocked through informed decision-making, supporting institutional growth without increasing overall footprint. It then examines the Post Occupancy Evaluation of the O'Connor Centre for Learning, exploring how innovative teaching and learning spaces are performing in practice and what lessons can inform future projects. TU Dublin's Park House project provides a compelling example of adaptive reuse, illustrating how existing buildings can be transformed to meet evolving academic needs while delivering significant sustainability and carbon benefits. Finally, the session broadens the discussion through the HEA's Education for Sustainable Development Framework, considering how campus development, estate management and learning environments can contribute to a whole-of-institution approach to sustainability.
Together, the presentations tell a story of measuring, optimising, evaluating and reimagining the higher education estate. They provide a foundation for a wider discussion on how Ireland can plan, build, repurpose and manage campuses to meet the needs of an increasingly digital, hybrid and lifelong-learning society. As we look to the future, the session asks: what should we build more of, what should we reconfigure, and what should we measure differently?
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11:15
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Government of Ireland Stand30 mins
Panel Discussion. Our schoolgrounds represent one of the most frequently used public spaces experienced every day by almost every child. Reimagining these outdoor spaces offers a practical, achievable, low-cost and scalable opportunity to generate meaningful sustainable benefits for children, nature, and our shared future. Exceptional outdoor spaces for play, recreation, and learning don't just benefit students, they drive societal change in biodiversity, wellbeing, and inclusion. Join leading policymakers, researchers, and hands-on practitioners for an interactive look at the future of external school spaces. We will dive into the real-world challenges and opportunities in sustainability. Come ready to share your voice and shape the future of learning landscapes.
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12:00
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60 mins
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Stand 10760 mins
12:15
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Government of Ireland Stand45 minsTwo years after presenting JJR's digital delivery strategy for one of Ireland's largest school campus developments, this presentation explores, from a contractor's perspective, the progression of the Department of Education and Youth's (DEY) information requirements. Drawing on practical experience gained across the delivery of almost a dozen school projects since 2021, it reflects on what has changed, the progress made on the information requirements and digital delivery, and the key lessons learned along the way.
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12:45
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Stage 360 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
Delivering on Ireland's 2030 climate ambitions requires more than commitment. It requires targeted investment, clear priorities and practical measures that accelerate the decarbonisation and transformation of the tertiary education estate. As institutions balance climate objectives, ageing infrastructure, evolving learner needs and finite capital resources, the focus is increasingly on the renewal, retrofit and optimisation of existing buildings to deliver measurable environmental, operational and long-term value.
This session begins with DFHERIS's Decarbonisation Plan for Ireland's tertiary education estate, outlining the targeted measures, investment priorities and strategic interventions being deployed to support the achievement of 2030 climate and energy objectives. Delegates will gain insight into how strategic investment, estate optimisation and evidence-based decision-making are being used to drive progress across a diverse education estate. An update from SEAI on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and recent changes to the Building Energy Rating (BER) framework will highlight the regulatory drivers increasingly shaping estate investment, building performance and decarbonisation programmes.
Through perspectives on estate optimisation, sustainability-led master planning and campus development from BDP, Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin, attendees will discover how institutions are translating policy into delivery through the renewal and optimisation of existing estates, energy infrastructure projects and data-driven investment strategies. Together, these presentations will demonstrate how targeted measures, informed decision-making and strategic investment can accelerate progress towards 2030 climate goals while creating more resilient, efficient and future-ready campuses.
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13:00
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Stage 160 minsThis session will embody policy, carbon, estate inventory management and student-led responses to climate change developing practical, creative solutions focused on sustainability and environmentally responsible living.ChairpersonSpeakers
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Stage 260 minsPhenomenology explores how people experience and interpret the world through lived experience. This session examines how high-quality, inclusive design and meaningful end-user engagement can shape school environments that support learning, well-being and a sense of belonging for everyone. Combining research with case studies, the session will demonstrate how inclusive, sensory-driven design leads to inspiring environments that empower learners and enhance the learning experience. Drawing on insights from recently completed projects, it will highlight innovative, inclusive approaches for supporting children with complex needs.Speakers
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Minerva Suite60 minsThis session shares research from Programme Innovate on how schools can be designed to stay adaptable, efficient, and resilient in the face of changing enrolment, limited sites, evolving pedagogy, and increasing construction costs. It explores practical strategies for future‑proofing, including planning for expansion, designing flexible structural and service systems, and using and modern construction methods, phased construction, and smarter procurement to transform the design and delivery of projectsSpeakers
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13:15
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Government of Ireland Stand30 minsBetter buildings don’t just house learning — they shape it - We tend to view buildings as simple enclosures, but in education the environment acts as an unseen educator. When space is intentionally designed, it shapes behaviour, supports wellbeing, and lifts both motivation and attainment.
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14:00
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60 mins
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Stage 345 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
This one-hour session will examine the implementation of the National Student Accommodation Strategy, exploring current policy priorities, market trends, and investment opportunities across the student accommodation sector. Drawing on perspectives from Government, higher education institutions, and industry leaders, speakers will address the key challenges and opportunities in delivering additional student beds.
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15:00
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Stage 160 minsThe panel will present examples of how projects are becoming more complex and demanding, requiring designs to be more innovative in their approach in delivery and design. The core to this success, is collaboration among all the stakeholders and the integration of Masterplans to the benefit of the wider community, particularly in Urban settings. We will discuss projects, both on a National and International context, including the design and construction of Fairwater Community Campus project in Wales by HLM architects; an ambitious project delivering net zero delivery school designs collocating multiuse schools for over 2000 students and staff in an all inclusive campus. We will also discuss the work undertaken, by architects, O`Donnell and Tuomey as part of Programme INNOVATE, who have developed design proposals for challenging Urban Sites, demonstrating innovative integrated educational environment utilising best urban design principles. This includes concurrent research undertaken as part of the programme and the conclusions applied to the design proposals for new campuses including Whitehall Educational Campus, Dublin.ChairpersonSpeakers
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Stage 260 minsTwenty new special schools have been established nationally in the past five years. Seventeen of these schools are under the patronage of the Local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). These new schools have been delivered at pace through adaptable re-use of existing buildings, co-location and optimising school capacity. This session explores how these schools come to fruition; quickly, economically and to high standards that meet the need of the students. Close collaboration between a dedicated DEY SEN Reconfiguration team, the NCSE, local stakeholders and experienced building professionals unlock solutions that are targeted and inclusive. Through case studies and end user feedback, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities, lessons learned and replicable ideas that could be implemented in any existing school to promote inclusion. Sensory input, physical structures, sounds, smells, furniture, all join dots , a collaboration of sensory experience. To look from the inside out, to explore divergent thinking, what can offer security or what may cause overwhelment. We can evolve together when we learn together to create a classroom.ChairpersonSpeakers
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Minerva Suite60 minsThis session will showcase the proven power of digital project delivery. Exploring how Scotland’s public sector is addressing the challenges faced by clients and building operators in managing estates and building information using robust, structured information management process aligned with international ISO standards. Demonstrating practical examples of projects using advanced digital construction, aligned with the Department of Education’s BIM mandated programme, ensuring accurate modelling, collaborative environments, and high-quality delivery.Speakers
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Stage 360 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
This session explores how Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) is being applied across the tertiary education sector, from policy through to delivery. It begins with the Government perspective on why WLCA requirements have been introduced, their role in driving carbon reduction and promoting Green Public Procurement. The session will address the standardised framework and how this approach will help the State decarbonise the built environment and meet legally binding net-zero carbon targets.
The session will then examine how these requirements are being interpreted by the Department of Education and Youth (DEY) and embedded within the Schools Design Guide (SDG) for Life-Cycle Global Warming Potential, in addition to providing guidance on the principals of design which promote the reduction of embedded carbon in the construction of new school buildings. Finally, the talk will address how WLCA is delivered in practice and the core strategies used by Design Teams who collaborate to provide the exact data contracting authorities need to make smart carbon decisions at the various project decision gates.
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15:15
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Government of Ireland Stand30 minsThis session is based on a panel discussion on the key issues, including challenges and opportunities, in relation to a ‘Whole-Life Cycle’ approach to low embodied carbon in the design and construction of school projects. The participant panellists include specialist sustainability consultants, architectural designers and a building envelope product manufacturer, who bring valuable insights to this subject from each of their perspectives. It is envisaged that this will also be an interactive session with some of the time set aside for audience participation.Speakers
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16:00
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15 mins
16:15
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Stage 145 mins
How we plan and prioritise – reflections from Department of Education and Youth and Department of Children, Disability and Equality
The current National Development Plan (NDP) reflects a record level of investment in public infrastructure. However, the nature of multi-annual capital planning and programming is that demand will exceed the resources available in any given year, and prioritisation must be a core element of the approach. During this final Day 1 session, Emma Leonard, Director, Planning and Building Unit, Department of Education and Youth, will give an overview of the prioritisation approach being implemented by the Department of Education and Youth. This will bring together many of the strands discussed earlier in the day and provide context to the decisions that inform the progression of school building projects. A State-led early learning and childcare capital programme was launched in January 2026. Hazel O’Byrne, Principal Officer, Forward Planning and Delivery Unit, Department of Children, Disability and Equality will outline the objectives of the programme, the approach being adopted to implementation and the challenges and opportunities in this sector. The session will be moderated by David Skene, Programme Manager, Planning and Building Unit, Department of Education and Youth.
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Stage 360 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
Creating truly inclusive learning environments means going beyond minimum statutory requirements. It requires a shift in mindset, from designing for compliance to creating a culture of inclusion, where the built environment is planned around all learners, recognising the diversity of their needs, and enables all learners to grow, engage and succeed.
This session will explore how that ambition is being translated into practice across Ireland’s tertiary education and training sector, from national policy and statutory requirements to Government investment and the application of universal design across new tertiary education infrastructure and the refurbishment and retrofit of the existing estate.
Real world campus projects will bring this journey from policy into practice demonstrating how thoughtful learner centred design can remove barriers, foster belonging, and create opportunities for all.
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17:00
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60 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
Sponsored by RKD Architects
17:15
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Stage 35 mins
- Further & Higher Education Content
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