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Eurocell’s InSite system and Logik windows help accelerate the 87-home Craighill scheme for Aberdeen City Council
Building Aberdeen’s Largest Social Housing Programme in 50 Years
Aberdeen’s most ambitious social housing programme in more than half a century is being delivered with the help of Eurocell’s innovative InSite window system. Designed specifically for offsite construction, the system is helping to deliver 87 high-quality, energy-efficient homes at Craighill in Kincorth.
The development, part of Aberdeen City Council’s “Gold Standard” housing initiative, will provide adaptable, sustainable and dementia-friendly homes that integrate seamlessly with the surrounding community. Designed to meet the council’s target of reducing carbon emissions by at least 27% and supplying over half of hot water needs through renewable energy, the project also prioritises year-round comfort for residents.
High-performance window systems, with U-values as low as 1.2 W/m²K, contribute to lower heat loss, reduced energy consumption and improved thermal comfort, helping to keep tenant bills down while supporting the scheme’s sustainability ambitions. This ensures that energy efficiency and design quality translate directly into long-term benefits for residents and the wider community. Originally approved for 99 homes, the scheme was redesigned amid rising construction costs, reducing the total to 87 homes while keeping the £24–£26m project on budget.
Innovation Driving Certainty and Speed
With rising trade costs and site congestion threatening to delay delivery, CHAP Construction, Kirkwood Timber Frame, and Pinefield Glass turned to the InSite system to give the programme greater certainty.
Fraser Taylor, operations director at CHAP Construction, said:
“Using the InSite system enabled us to seal the building from day 1 and bring our internal trades onto site much earlier than planned. On a scheme of this scale, where daily trade costs can be in the region of £1,800 to £2,000, those savings quickly add up.”
The system allows Eurocell Logik PVC-U windows in Silk Grey to be factory-fitted into timber frame kits before arriving on site. Once lifted into place, the building envelope is sealed immediately, enabling internal works to start without waiting for external follow-on trades.
Collaboration in Action
Pinefield Glass fabricated the Logik windows, then transferred to Kirkwood Timber Frame’s controlled facilities where they were installed into precision-engineered panels. These were then delivered to the site ready for rapid installation.
Malcolm Thomson, managing director at Kirkwood Timber Frame, said:
“This project demonstrated how effective collaboration can be between the timber frame manufacturer, the window fabricator, and the main contractor. By integrating Eurocell’s InSite system into our kits at the factory stage, we were able to deliver timber panels already fitted with windows – a key innovation that streamlined installation and reduced the need for follow-on trades. That brought significant programme benefits for CHAP and the Council while minimising site disruption and improving overall efficiency.”
For Pinefield Glass a Eurocell partner for over fourteen years, the project was an opportunity to showcase the value of long-term partnerships.
Bryan Yule, managing director at Pinefield Glass commented:
“Working with Eurocell and using the InSite system, we were able to provide pre-fitted window modules that performed exactly as required on site, giving the contractor and client complete peace of mind. Consistency and quality are at the heart of what we do, and this project really underlined that.”
Sustainability and Performance at the Core
Eurocell’s Logik system, integrated within Kirkwood Timber Frame’s precision-engineered panels played an integral role in meeting the Council’s sustainability and performance ambitions. Each frame contains around 40% recycled PVC-U, sourced through Eurocell’s closed-loop recycling system, which processes old frames into new ones.
With U-values as low as 1.2 W/m²K, or down to 0.93 W/m²K when specified with triple glazing, the Logik system supports compliance helping to reduce energy demand and tenant bills without compromising thermal or structural integrity.
Designed for practicality as well as performance, Logik can be manufactured offsite to minimise heavy lifting on site. Meanwhile, its contemporary Silk Grey finish delivers a durable, modern aesthetic that complements architectural visions for buildings that “sit confidently” within their surroundings.
Supporting Aberdeen’s Long-Term Housing Vision
The Craighill scheme exemplifies Aberdeen City Council’s ambition to deliver sustainable, high-quality homes that meet tenants’ needs now and in the future. The integration of Eurocell’s InSite and Logik systems has helped realise that vision more quickly and cost-effectively, supporting the Council’s “Gold Standard” housing standards and delivering long-term value for the city.
Offsite Benefits Realised On Site
The offsite-first approach has delivered clear and tangible results on site. By sealing buildings from day 1, internal works were able to start sooner, accelerating the overall construction programme and helping keep the scheme on schedule. This early weather-tightness also protected the budget by reducing costly downtime, safeguarding against volatile trade rates that can quickly escalate on projects of this scale.
The change in methodology also led to cleaner, safer sites. With less onsite handling and fewer overlapping trades, the working environment became easier to manage, improving both health and safety outcomes and overall site logistics.
In addition, the specification of Silk Grey Logik windows provided a consistent, high-quality finish across all homes, aligning with the design team’s material palette and aesthetic ambitions. The recycled content within the frames supported Aberdeen City Council’s wider social value and environmental goals, contributing to a more sustainable development that will serve its community for decades to come.
The scheme remains on track for completion by April 2026, setting a new benchmark for how offsite innovation can bring cost and programme certainty to complex public housing projects.
If you have any questions or would like more information then please email: newbuild@eurocell.co.uk or call 0870 120 3003.