Following last year’s article on the key trends shaping the AEC industry, we are back to share what we believe will define 2026. These trends are not entirely new. Many were already building momentum in 2025. The difference this year is that they are becoming more connected, with better data, clearer processes, and higher expectations around certainty, speed, and quality.
In this article, we highlight the trends we expect to shape the year ahead and take a brief look back at our 2025 predictions to see what has held true. Read below.
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2025: Were we right?
Last year, we highlighted AI, sustainability, and BIM as key trends, and those predictions largely held up. AI, in particular, moved quickly into everyday workflows, with the NBS Digital Construction Report (October 2025) finding that half of architecture professionals now use AI tools.
Sustainability also remained a priority, but progress has been uneven. The RICS Sustainability Report 2025 found that 46% of construction professionals do not measure carbon across projects, up from 34% in 2024. Meanwhile, BIM continues to look less like a “trend” and more like established infrastructure, with NBS reporting adoption holding steady at seven in ten professionals, alongside growing availability of BIM objects from manufacturers.
Revit Model vs. Presentation Montage: Comparison of the new residential development on Malahide Road.
In 2026… Digital transformation
Digital delivery is increasingly becoming the baseline for how projects are planned, coordinated, and controlled. In its 2026 Engineering and Construction Industry Outlook, Deloitte frames digital transformation as a key lever for improving capacity, cost, and competitiveness, which reflects a broader shift away from “digital as innovation” and towards “digital as expected practice”.
This is also where digital twins continue to build momentum. Autodesk’s 2026 Construction Trends expert round-up points to more integrated delivery, with digital twins and automated progress verification supporting how projects are coordinated and monitored. In other words, twins remain a strong theme, but they become more useful when underpinned by consistent data and workflows, not just a model sitting in isolation.
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Interior CGI with AI-generated population
AI continues to grow
AI is still one of the biggest talking points in 2026, but the focus is becoming more grounded. The same Autodesk’s 2026 AI Construction Trends article highlights how early adopters are using AI to analyse more variables, move faster during design and planning, and reduce manual work. At the same time, it notes that many organisations have not yet met their AI goals, which reinforces that the next phase is about implementation and measurable value. The takeaway is that AI works best when it sits inside a solid digital foundation, with structured information, clear processes, and quality control that teams can trust.
Modern methods of construction
Modern methods of construction, including offsite manufacturing and modular systems, are gaining traction as teams look for more certainty on programme, quality, and labour availability. In Ireland, this direction has been reinforced by the Government’s Modern Methods of Construction Action Plan (June 2025), which sets out actions to accelerate MMC through skills, innovation, and wider adoption, positioning it as a key lever for more efficient and sustainable delivery.
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Additionally, the National Economic and Social Council has been explicit about MMC’s potential impact, describing wider adoption as a possible “game changer” for housing supply and productivity. What is changing in 2026 is that MMC is increasingly treated as an early design and coordination decision, not a construction stage add-on.
These trends are increasingly connected. At 3D Design Bureau, we help project teams navigate these shifts through digital solutions that support both planning and marketing. If you would like to explore how our services can strengthen your current or upcoming projects, book a free consultation or visit our contact page. We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you.
Author:
Lucas Imbimbo
Digital Marketing Specialist
at 3D Design Bureau
lucas@3ddesighbureau.com
