Kier is helping redefine the future of housing decarbonisation in Scotland. Its work at Prospecthill Court in Greenock has become a national exemplar, demonstrating genuine ambition to set new standards for energy efficiency, stakeholder collaboration, and social value.

Prospecthill Court is a 16-storey, 91-home high-rise built in the 1960s and retrofitted to meet the rigorous Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB) Retrofit Standard. The building remained fully occupied throughout the works, demonstrating that deep retrofit can be delivered with minimal disruption to residents.

The project won the Net Zero in Housing Award 2024, and its success is rooted in a “Fabric First” approach which prioritises airtightness, thermal performance, and embodied carbon reduction.

Andrew Maher, operations manager at Kier Construction North & Scotland said: “Prospecthill Court was a trailblazer.

We’re proud to have delivered a solution that can meet the AECB standard, improves tenant wellbeing, and sets a benchmark for scalable retrofit across the UK.”

Innovative construction techniques

The retrofit team employed a series of pioneering methods to maximise performance and minimise waste:

Retention of no-fines concrete panels: Testing revealed the original panels were surprisingly airtight, allowing them to be retained. This preserved embodied carbon and avoided unnecessary demolition.

Advanced airtightness layer: A high-performance A1 non-combustible AVCL was installed as the primary airtightness barrier, sealed with Pro Clima Tescon Vana Tape to ensure integrity across junctions and penetrations.

Triple-glazed windows: NorDan StormGuard windows were installed with full airtight seals to enhance thermal efficiency.

Innovative insulation: Rockwool Nyrock A1 insulation provided high thermal resistance with reduced wall depth. Expanding fire foam was used to reseal penetrations, maintaining airtightness after drilling.

These measures resulted in an 80% reduction in both space heating demand and operational carbon emissions.”

Putting the resident at the heart of delivery

A defining feature of the Prospecthill Court retrofit was its resident-centric delivery model. The building remained fully occupied throughout the works, thanks to a carefully planned approach that prioritised tenant comfort and safety. Windows were installed using fully sealed pods, ensuring that homes were never exposed to external conditions. Phased delivery and the use of external access systems helped minimise disruption, while proactive tenant engagement and dedicated aftercare ensured residents were informed and supported at every stage of the process.

Quality assurance and performance

Kier’s rigorous quality management system underpinned the project, including:

A comprehensive Project Quality Plan
Digital quality tracking via Procore
Targeted airtightness of 2m³/h.m²@50Pa, surpassing Building Regulations

In August 2025, the team exceeded expectations with a tested airtightness of 1.49m³/h.m²@50Pa.

Retrofit design lead Ryan Ferrier of Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “We exceeded our airtightness target through detailed design and construction. It’s a testament to the team’s commitment and the positive impact on residents’ lives.”

Scalability and replicability

Prospecthill Court is a replicable model for high-rise housing across the UK. The project demonstrated how AECB standards can be achieved in complex, multi-storey settings, offering valuable insights for future policy and guidance. Its use of standardised systems, such as the window-pod installation and AVCL “tea cosy” approach, allows for easy adaptation to other tower blocks with minimal redesign. Knowledge sharing was central to the delivery, with a BE-ST-led training day upskilling more than 20 operatives and disseminating lessons learned across the supply chain. The methodology is now being embedded into wider retrofit frameworks, including the City of Edinburgh Council Housing Framework, reinforcing its scalability and long-term impact.

Driving strategic impact

Prospecthill Court aligns directly with the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy and the UK’s Net Zero 2050 target, reinforcing its strategic relevance. It also delivers on Scotland’s just transition ambitions, creating secure, high-value green jobs through BE-ST’s AECB retrofit training, which equipped subcontractors with practical skills in sustainable construction and live-in recladding.

By slashing heating demand by 80%, the project has helped tackle fuel poverty and reduce energy bills for residents. Its design extends the building’s life by over 60 years and boosts climate resilience, contributing to long-term housing stability. With inclusive resident engagement embedded throughout, Prospecthill stands as a pilot for how retrofit can drive place-based regeneration and support Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

Looking ahead, Andrew Maher is keen to share the team’s learnings. He said: “Our retrofit team has grown substantially in the last 18 months. Collaboration and innovation have been key to our success. We’re proud to support clients in achieving net zero and improving residents’ lives.”

Written by Ryan Ferrier, Retrofit Technical Lead at Kier Construction.

Prospecthill Court: A blueprint for scalable housing retrofit