Centrica Innovations has announced a £400,000 investment into sustainable modular buildings manufacturer Carbon Dynamic.

Carbon Dynamic designs and manufactures cost effective and low energy buildings using locally-sourced and sustainable materials, and is working in partnership with the Albyn Housing Society and NHS Highland to deliver a pioneering smart home initiative that could transform the way health and social care is delivered.

A first of its kind in the UK, the ‘Fit Home’ concept aims to enable people to continue to live safely and independently in their own homes for as long as they choose and to provide a viable, lower cost alternative to full-time residential care and prolonged stays in hospital. The project combines the latest smart technologies with homes that can easily be adapted to meet the changing needs of their residents. Residents will benefit from non-intrusive connected devices, digital health and assisted living technologies, helping them to maintain a sense of wellbeing as they respond to the physical and emotional changes of their condition.

Carbon Dynamic has also manufactured eleven homes for the Social Bite Village in Edinburgh, which aims to provide a low-cost, safe living environment for people currently living in temporary accommodation and shelters. The first residents are set to move into their new homes this month.

Matt Stevenson, managing director of Carbon Dynamic, said: “We are dedicated to delivering social, environmental and economic building solutions. We created the Fit Homes concept to help Highland residents take charge of their own wellbeing and health needs through innovative technology and design. Thanks to the support we’ve had from Centrica, both financially and advisory, we will be able deliver digital health and assisted living technologies in a way that has not been possible before.”

The investment has been made by Centrica’s Ignite social impact investment fund, which now forms part of Centrica Innovations. Established in 2017, Centrica Innovations aims to invest £100 million by 2022 in new technologies that will transform the way people live, work and move.

Sam Salisbury, Centrica Innovations labs director, said: “As a market leader in connected home products, we are always on the lookout for opportunities to solve real world problems with new technology and innovation.

“The lack of affordable, energy efficient, desirable homes is one that is affecting families across the country so we’re delighted to be able to support an initiative that shows such potential in transforming how people, young and old, live in their homes.”

In addition to the investment, Centrica Innovations will provide Carbon Dynamic with mentoring, coaching and business support.