The pulse of construction is changing. While home building slows, commercial projects keep the sector on its feet. Rising costs in Dublin and the urgency to meet housing targets reveal cracks in the old model. Yet innovation is pushing through. Timber research is paving the way for low-carbon builds, and developers are finding creative ways to keep projects moving, like covering land taxes to spur new homes. Productivity, not manpower, is emerging as the true key to progress. The sector is learning that building smarter – not just building more – will shape its future.