Stewart Milne Group, in partnership with Barratt Developments and Forster Group, has won Innovation of the Year (Transition to Net Zero) at the Homes for Scotland Awards for its Advanced Industrialised Methods of the Construction of Homes (AIMCH) project.

Originally set up to tackle challenge issues faced within the housing sector and meet net-zero carbon targets, AIMCH is a £6.5m, three-year, collaborative, research and development project.

In addition to sourcing solutions for workforce challenges, skills shortages and low affordability, AIMCH has become fundamental in identifying outcomes to increase productivity and processes across the sector.

Stewart Milne Group’s innovation and sustainability director, Stewart Dalgarno is also project director at AIMCH and has recently presented a blueprint for the industry to support the delivery of quality and sustainable homes. He also led a study which showed how construction hazards can be reduced by 20%, critical for health and safety within the industry.

Stewart Milne Group is aligning its methods and processes with research from AIMCH projects, which will see more modern and innovative ways of constructing new homes.

Mr Dalgarno commented:

“The work AIMCH is producing is vital to the future of the property and construction industry, so to be recognised alongside our partners is extremely rewarding.

“This is a collaborative effort, and it reinforces the progress we can make when we can work together as an industry, with each partner bringing relevant skills and complementary knowledge to the project.

“The solutions identified so far are a real catalyst for change, encouraging developers to use modern methods and increase design standardisation in pursuit of net-zero.

“We are continuing to source the most efficient, safe and high-quality way of doing things so we can meet buyer demand, keep people safe and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The partners in AIMCH – Stewart Milne Group, Barratt Developments PLC, L&Q, the Manufacturing Technology Centre, the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre and Forster Roofing Services Ltd – have been collaborating, researching and trialling near-to-market, scalable housing solutions for the last three years.

The Homes for Scotland awards took place on Friday 20 May at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and hosted more than 1000 industry professionals.

Stewart Milne Group has also been shortlisted for four awards at the Scottish Home Awards, which will be announced in Glasgow on June 23, 2022.

The Dargavel Village development in Bishopton, Renfrewshire is a finalist across three categories: Apartment Development of the Year, Housing Development of the Year (Large) and Starter Home of the Year, with its Moor house type. The Strathearn house type at Gillburn Grange in Jackton has also been shortlisted in the Show Home of the Year category.