Innovation awarded

Norscot received the Innovation of the Year Award at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2018 in February.

Norscot, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde, was recognised for the research and development of virtual reality show home software. The business found that one of the challenges in the self-build market was the difficulty for customers to visualise their finished home through traditional paper plans and CAD designs. In these circumstances consumers ask if they can visit a show home but this option is simply impractical when it comes to bespoke designs.

Norscot was introduced to Interface, the government-backed organisation which links businesses with their academic partner, through HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise) and in-turn Interface introduced Norscot to the University of Strathclyde.

The software being developed by the University of Strathclyde combines Building Information Modelling (BIM) with virtual reality technology to allow consumers to ‘walk-through’ their new-build to get a better feel for the space and finish of their new home.

“The idea is very simple but is taking a small army of very clever and supportive people to bring it to fruition,” Norscot’s chairman Peter Body said. “I thank them all for the progress to date, which has exceeded expectations.”