Doors & Windows
Offsite Window Innovation Speeds Delivery Of Aberdeen’ s Largest Social Housing Development In 50 Years
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 / m ² K, 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
30 FEBRUARY 2026 CLEARVIEW-UK. COM