Marie Macklin's Halo Urban Generation Company and CSIC in Kilmarnock smart homes partnership

The Halo Urban Regeneration Company – founded by Marie Macklin – and Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) have unveiled a partnership they say will bring “world-class” smart homes of the future to Kilmarnock.

Marie Macklin welcomes Ayrshire College students to the Halo Site Kilmarnock. Picture: Guy Hinks.

A £63 million urban regeneration project on a 23-acre site, the Halo Kilmarnock, formerly the home of Johnnie Walker, will be the first town centre located, net zero carbon energy project in Scotland, “setting the standard for low-carbon energy sites across the UK”.

The Halo and CSIC say they are both committed to creating future smart and sustainable homes while supporting the adoption of new skills in the construction industry.

They say the tie-up will use “cutting-edge” smart home designs to develop sustainable building components alongside the low-carbon heat solutions being designed for these homes at the Halo Kilmarnock.

The partnership is also expected to develop new skills in building by adopting new technologies, while establishing new ways to build smart homes of the future, and explore research and development opportunities through CSIC’s innovation supply chain network and innovation factory in Blantyre.

Macklin, founder and executive chair of the Halo Urban Regeneration Company, said: “CSIC is the perfect partner for the Halo to develop its smart homes of the future. The partnership will help us achieve our ultimate vision of a net zero dynamic commercial, educational, cultural, leisure and lifestyle quarter where people can ‘Live, Work, Learn and Play’.

“The Halo is all about tomorrow’s world. By setting the standard for low carbon energy sites across the UK our smart homes of the future, fuelled by 100 per cent renewable energy and with the support of CSIC, will play a huge part in our vision.

“Delivering net zero carbon energy at the Halo is not only an opportunity to create economic growth in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire and across Scotland, it’s a way to highlight the emergency we all face in climate change.”

Lucy Black, director of innovation and engagement at CSIC, said: “Our goal is to drive transformational change in the construction industry for its future resilience, which is more important than ever.

“Sustainable building, adopting modern methods of construction, technological transformation and culture change, particularly with skills, equality and inclusion, are all a key focus for both our organisations. Working together to realise these mutual aims makes perfect sense.

“We’re really excited about this truly innovative partnership and the impact it could have on the construction industry at large.”

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