The Government has appointed a group of consultants to examine whether timber-frame houses could be a viable option for Ireland.
A consortium, headed by Anthony Reddy Associates, Architects and Planning Consultants, will examine the if the houses are suitable for Irish conditions, it was announced.
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Mr Robert Molloy said: "There is a need to supplement traditional methods of housing provision in order to achieve the level of output envisaged in the National Development Plan."
The study will take six months.