Smart Housing Proof of Concept

Tender description

Adequate housing in rural Scotland is a major obstacle to economic growth, contributing to depopulation, a loss of skilled workers, and stagnating local economies. This housing crisis has become a key issue. This presents a significant opportunity for innovation in the delivery of homes, particularly in terms of their suitability, adaptability, and long-term sustainability. The University’s Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI), in partnership with Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) and Moray Council as part of the Moray Growth Deal (MGD), is inviting expressions of interest to develop a low-carbon, smart home. The project will utilise modern methods of construction (MMC) and focus on digital solutions for independent living, with a particular emphasis on addressing the needs of remote and rural communities. The project aims to develop and deliver a 2-bedroom, innovative, and connected home on an innovation plot (within Moray) designed to be a sustainable, high-quality home that meets people’s evolving needs and aspirations throughout the course of their/ their family’s life. The purpose of this notice is to identify individual organisations, groups of organisations or consortia able to deliver either one or both of the undernoted key components. It should be noted that whilst the outline below represents the current intended approach, the purpose of this notice is to commence dialogue with the market(s) to gain a fuller understanding of possibilities and opportunities. Any procurement activity undertaken by DHI following this initial engagement shall be subject of a future contract notice with which will outline specific requirements. Construction of 2-bedroom home: This will be an exemplary, innovative, affordable home that is highly sustainable; reduces embodied and operational carbon and reliance on the national grid; enhances biodiversity and fits in with the vision for the rest of the site. The building materials and method of construction is a key consideration which must consider whole life carbon of the design and construction. Careful consideration must be given to material choices and technology with a preference of the utilisation of local supply chains. It is envisaged that the home will be designed and fitted out to minimise day to day running costs. Digital innovation technology: This project will require Digital innovations that integrate with and complement the building fabric, this shall be a key requirement, the early indicative project scope suggests that technologies should be considered to generate data to monitor and optimise the building’s performance and the occupant’s wellbeing, activity, and independent daily living within its environment. These technologies should be targeted at enabling the monitoring of safety, security, health and wellbeing of the residents. The outcome of the digital innovation element must promote independent living, focus on prevention and early intervention to promote health and wellbeing, and produce a high-quality scalable product. Data generated by digital devices (integrated into the fabric of the build is preferred) will be collected and made readily accessible to the occupier and their family/carers as well as in a format that can be shared with external agencies with appropriate consents. Consideration should be given as to the benefits of including digital fit out as part of the construction process as well as retrofitting. Collation and analysis of the generated data will be included in a separate upcoming ITT and will be managed in parallel to create an end-to-end solution. Lot 1: Construction of 2-bedroom home: Please see the short description provided above. The University encourages expressions of interest from all or any interested parties in order to ensure robust and informed dialogue prior to finalising the requirements of the project. The University reserves the right to engage with all or any of those parties who express an interest. Lot 2: Digital innovation technology: Please see the short description provided above. The University encourages expressions of interest from all or any interested parties in order to ensure robust and informed dialogue prior to finalising the requirements of the project. The University reserves the right to engage with all or any of those parties who express an interest.