Our Projects

Aims & Objectives
This pilot project will demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of retrofitting infrared (IR) heating panels in social housing. Working with a social housing landlord (SHL) and an IR panel manufacturer, the project will initially focus on 10 void properties to understand property fabric, heating performance, energy efficiency, and tenant experience. The trial aims to establish baseline energy and comfort data, validate the effectiveness of IR panels, and explore the potential for scalable deployment in tenanted homes. Successful implementation could improve thermal comfort, reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, and inform future low-carbon heating strategies for social housing.
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Activities involved
• Assess baseline energy performance and thermal comfort in void properties.
• Design, install, and commission IR panels with appropriate specifications.
• Monitor and validate energy savings, comfort improvements, and system performance.
• Develop evidence-based guidance for future rollout in occupied homes.
• Support iterative improvements through a soft-landing phase.
• Assess cost effectiveness for SHL and compare against similar retrofits and alternative technologies

Project Aim
This project is a technical R&D and educational capacity-building programme focused on digitalising decarbonising retrofitting, simulation validation, and dissemination. The project aims to scale sustainable retrofitting by developing an innovative Retrofit Challenge Toolkit, immersive CPD resources and applied research. Anchored in the deep retrofit of the Scottish National Retrofit Centre (SNRC), the project will deliver a transferable model to strengthen decision-making, education, and industry collaboration. This initiative directly supports the UK’s Net Zero 2050 target, and wider global sustainability and circular economy goals.
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Objectives
• Develop a Retrofit Challenge Toolkit integrating EIA and lifecycle assessment.
• Produce CPD micro-credential, co-created with Wholus and delivered via ENU platforms, to build future workforce capability.
• Advance knowledge exchange through international collaboration with China, embedding retrofitting into MSc teaching, micro-credentials, and CPD training.
• Generate new insights into the role of digital innovation in retrofit pathways, disseminated through high-impact publication and conferences.
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Key Activities
1. Project Setup & Gap Analysis
2. Retrofit Challenge Toolkit Development
3. Knowledge Exchange & International Collaboration
4. CPD Development, outreach & Legacy Building
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This collaboration unites academic expertise, industry innovation, and international networks, positioning retrofitting as a driver of education, innovation, and global sustainability impact.

Aims & Objectives
To assess the thermal performance of full-scale representation models (test ‘ice’ boxes) built to Passivhaus and Building Regulations standards and create a series of educational outputs related to net zero housing. These research and educational outputs will augment a Channel 4 production on retrofit which will have a TV audience of up to 2 million viewers in 2026 with follow on worldwide broadcast the following year providing opportunity for significant CeNZ outreach.
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Activities involved
• Thermal performance assessment of the full-scale representation models (test boxes) built to Passivhaus and Building Regulations standards, including evaluation of thermal transmittance of building fabric components (walls, floor, roof and window) and airtightness testing.
• The collation of information pertaining to the above with the provision of appropriate research support on LCA, Desing for Manufacture and Assemble, Building Performance Evaluation, Logistics and Cost.
• The curation of educational content and learning exercises relating to this within the themes of Sustainability & Construction; Materials for the Built Environment and Digital Tech and Building Performance
• Creation of a “Tool kit” educational package with respect to the above and at least 1 academic output or presentation at a relevant outreach event.

Aims & Objectives
Govan Old Church is a Category A listed building built in 1888 in the process of replacing its gas heating system with a river-source heat pump. This project aims to understand the barriers and facilitators to conversion of carbon intensive heating to renewable heating systems in the context of listed and historic buildings. Thus, a route to successful implementation of renewable heating in this setting may identified allowing others embarking on such a program to avoid pitfalls and accelerate realisation of their vision.
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Activities involved
• Stakeholder consultation and focused workshops
• Data collection on site
• Identification of similar sites
• Benchmarking of temperature and humidity conditions

Aims & Objectives
This project will deliver an inclusive, curriculum-linked STEM challenge to schools across the Edinburgh and Southeast Scotland City Region. Drawing on real-world engineering in high-density regeneration and retrofit, the “Construct a Crane” challenge allows pupils to explore the logistical solutions required for net-zero construction (e.g. deployment of construction techniques, movement of prefabricated modules into high dense areas, complex-built environments)
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The project will reach up to 25 schools, 600 pupils (P6-S2), and a further 1,000–2,000 pupils nationally through Scottish Government funded expansion targeted toward areas of high deprivation to ensure equitable access and broaden participation in STEM.
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Activities involved
Activities will include kit development, teacher support, industry volunteer engagement, and remote/hybrid judging of final models. Participants will explore careers in sustainable construction and engineering, with CeNZ co-developed branding and messaging in all kits, guides and an online CPD session. CeNZ-HighDB logo will feature on all kits, Stemovators website, our annual report, our end of year impact report and in any external presentations.

Programme Delivery
Next Gen is centred on practical, experiential learning, setting it apart from conventional initiatives. Delivered over a full-day experience, young people take on roles within a simulated built environment team to collaboratively design an inclusive and sustainable ‘eco classroom’.
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Inclusive, Impact-Driven Engagement BE-ST delivers inclusive learning through the DIveIN initiative, funded by the Scottish Government’s Workplace Equality Fund (2022–2024). Drawing from our work with rural and marginalised communities, we ensure accessible, welcoming environments that reflect Scotland’s diversity.
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Next Gen builds on this foundation to offer inclusive, hands-on experiences where students from all backgrounds explore sustainability, develop leadership skills, and discover career pathways in the built environment.
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This programme of delivery aligns with TWG-VI deliverables around EDI with a focused on meaningful youth engagement, the initiative supports skill development, confidence building, and real-world experience. By addressing the broader impacts of poverty, including education, mental wellbeing, and future opportunities, it aims to remove barriers and empower young people.

Aims & Objectives
This project investigates the real-world performance and user integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage management technologies in retrofitted social housing developments in Lancaster District. It aims to assess the effectiveness of installed systems in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions, with a particular focus on user interaction and behavioural factors. The research will support Lancaster City Council’s Local Area Energy Plan, support for DM30a of the adopted Local Plan, as well as generating increased support for future applications for funding, including to the UK Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
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The study has three key objectives:
1. Performance Evaluation: To monitor and evaluate the technical effectiveness and energy performance of PV/battery systems in selected social homes.
2. User Handover and Guidance: To develop a user-centred guide that improves the handover process and ensures residents understand how to use the new energy systems effectively.
3. Resident Education: To examine the role of user knowledge and behaviour in optimising energy outcomes, and to propose targeted educational strategies that support long-term engagement.
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By combining technical performance data with qualitative insights from residents, the project aims to bridge the gap between technology provision and meaningful decarbonisation outcomes in the social housing sector.

Aim
Decarbonise the installation components of Heat Pumps by replacing concrete plinth with a composite manufactured alternative made from recycled glass, which will improve the overall performance and reduce the need for concrete in the installation.
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Objectives
1. Develop a high-density heat pump plinth base from recycled glass which performs better than the conventional concrete plinth (VASO HBBP). This involves the measurement of thermal properties, durability, fire resistance, vibration damping, etc.
2. Testing and development of VASO HPBP in lab setting with heat pump manufacturer and with actual building and environment in case study property.
3. Quantify the environmental savings of the newly developed plinth (CO2 emission saving). Quantify the cost values of the materials

This project develops a robust methodology to develop a Digital Twins of Historic Building Estates aimed at supported a scalable range of use cases. This project will specifically focus on smart energy and building occupancy management, as well as building fabric monitoring and repair, which are core to achieving net-zero estate operation and management.
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The project contributes to the foundational aspects of DTs for building estate owners with: an open data model framework based on established ontologies and Linked Data best practice, to ease deployment, ensure long-term relevance and scalability for future extension towards other data domains and broader integration with other parts of the built environment, such as urban infrastructure. The data model integrates data from various domains including: building product, materials, IoT, building damage, building energy, comfort, circular economy. The project also makes significant contributions towards delivering Digital Building Passports (DBP).
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A prototype DT solution is developed with focus on multimodal data visualisation and its potential benefits to large estate owners and management (e.g. universities, HES, EWH, city councils, DoD, etc.) illustrated using two unique historic estates: the University of Edinburgh Central Campus, and the UNESCO Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH), with additional support from Bentley Systems.

Aims & Objectives
Following the successful delivery of the initial Allume SolShare feasibility study for Building Type 1 social housing, which demonstrated clear technical and financial viability, this follow-on project will extend the evaluation to at least two additional high-priority building types common in Scotland’s housing stock.
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The project will assess the suitability, performance potential, and cost-effectiveness of SolShare deployments across different building layouts, construction types, and occupancy patterns. Insights will inform scalable retrofit strategies that can accelerate adoption, support housing providers’ decarbonisation plans, and improve energy equity for residents. By leveraging learnings The project will produce a wider portfolio of replicable low-carbon retrofit models.
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Activities involved
• Building type selection and stakeholder alignment.
• Site inspections and technical criteria assessments.
• Energy usage data collection and EPC profiling.
• Technical feasibility and performance modelling.
• Financial modelling and cost-benefit analysis.
• Reporting and dissemination to housing providers and policy bodies.

Aims & Objectives
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This project aims to enhance and refine an existing open-access tool to assess the techno-environmental-economic impacts of retrofitting measures on various thermal systems for residential properties in specific project areas within Glasgow.
Refining the open access tool Centralisation Assessment Tool for Heat Pump Systems (CATHeaPS) can provide valuable preliminary information to stakeholders (including non-technical ones) on the effect of retrofitting to different thermal system options for their area. Ease of use and low barrier of entry are key. It aims to use open access Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data for conducting the analysis.
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Activities involved
• Development of a new version of the Centralisation Assessment Tool for Heat Pump Systems (CATHeaPS) (https://researchdata.gla.ac.uk/1638/) that will include an analysis of residential retrofitting for different thermal systems.
• Create methods and tools to utilise publicly available EPC datasets within CATHeaPS.
• Perform data analysis using the developed methodology for a Glasgow project area to
demonstrate use and ensure replicability.

Aims & Objectives
• Capture up to date information on the housing retrofit market with an emphasis on the urban context
• Demonstrate the impact of utilising advanced timber technologies and renewable options taking account of embodied energy and carbon as well as operational performance via a retrofit and extension case study analysis
• Use this approach to show the financial implications from a return on investment standpoint
• Publish this content in a range of academic and industry outreach sources and where possible make this publicly accessible also.
• Utilise the information educational purposes embedding it in learning content.
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Activities involved
• Undertake a review of the urban retrofit market with an emphasis on housing
• Collate project data from a urban retrofit case study utilising advance timber technologies and renewables
• Undertake an LCA analysis and evaluate the building performance credentials pre and post retrofit / extension
• Undertake a cost / benefit analysis relative to the upfront capital, the cost of the retrofit measures and operational costs

This project explores how external wall insulation (EWI) influences indoor environmental conditions, and how digital tools can support tenant behaviour in high-density social housing. Using Nooku sensors and light-touch behavioural prompts, the study will monitor homes with and without EWI to understand how ventilation and heating behaviours impact indoor air quality. The aim is to empower tenants to manage their environments while providing landlords with actionable data to guide post-retrofit support. Findings will inform best practice for retrofit delivery, contribute to healthier, low-carbon housing, and generate publishable insights on behaviour and environmental management in dense urban contexts.

This project supports the CeNZ-HighDB TWG VI’s mission to develop inclusive, future-ready skills for the transition to a low-carbon built environment. In collaboration with HCI Skills Gateway, Vital Energi and Powering Futures, CeNZ-HighDB will co-design and deliver a sustainability-focused challenge as part of a 30-week SCQF Level 6 qualification programme.
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Aims & Objectives
To prepare the next generation of learners to engage with the net-zero built environment through inclusive, challenge-led education.
– To pilot and evidence, a scalable, inclusive model of skills development for the future net-zero workforce.
– The 30-week school programme will serve as a live testbed for collecting data on learner engagement, demographic reach (including those from underrepresented and underserved communities) skill development, and industry interaction.
– Raise awareness of built environment career pathways, particularly in high-density, net-zero housing, through the Powering Futures Next Steps platform and industry engagement.
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Activities involved
The funded activity includes co-designing and delivering a challenge (e.g. net-zero/sustainability/Skills-focused). It also supports wider engagement through the Powering Futures “Next Steps” platform, raising awareness of STEM and built environment careers.

Aim
This project aims to explore the use of wood wool as an alternative insulation material, addressing current production gaps and evaluate its suitability in comparison to wood fibre.
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Objectives
1. To produce new insulation batt from the variety of UK-grown wood wool by exploring different grades and combination, serving as the first local production in the UK.
2. To test and compare thermal conductivity across wood wool grades and some combinations to understand how fibre properties influence thermal insulation performance.
3. To test acoustic performance of different wood wool combinations materials to complement their usage as building insulation.
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Activities involved and Methods
1. Production of Insulation Batts and analysis. The insulation batts will be produced with a target density of 50 kg/m³ and a thickness of 50 mm, in different grades.
2. Thermal conductivity tests. The tests will provide a quantitative measure of how well a material resists heat flow, which is a critical factor in energy efficiency, comfort, and regulatory compliance.
3. Acoustic testing by the Acoustics Research Unit (ARU), School of Architecture, University of Liverpool to determine the sound absorption coefficient in accordance to BS EN ISO 10534- 2:2023.

Aim
This project aims to conduct an integrity check (spot check) and assess seasonal hygrothermal performance and energy use and air quality of case study properties retrofitted with expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads insulation injected into lath-and-plaster cavities of traditional solid stone walls.
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Objectives
1. To undertake a spot check and assess on any signs of condensation build-up in recently retrofitted solid stone walls with EPS beads insulation in the lath-and-plaster cavities.
2. To assess the seasonal risk of interstitial condensation build-up in solid stone walls with EPS beads insulation installed behind the lath-and-plaster cavities of existing dwellings, including the material behaviour and efficacy.
3. To assess energy and air quality using the monitored data obtained from ‘Switchee’, a smart thermostat used in the case study properties, in-situ monitored data of this study and compare againstcondensations in wall analysis data(WUFI).
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Activities involved and Methods
1. Short-term moisture risk monitoring through in-situ deployment of sensor in the cases study wall cavity injected with EPS beads, under void occupancy conditions, with space heating programmed to reflect a typical occupancy pattern over one week.
2. Long-term monitoring and assessment of 10 properties retrofitted with EPS bead insulation for 12-month period consisting of thermal transmission (U-value) in-situ monitoring, risks of interstitial condensation using temperature and humidity in-situ hygro probes and airtightness test to measure building air leakage.
3. Energy and air quality analysis using ‘Switchee’ data, to obtain summary data and a measure of performance post-retrofit.
4. Rapid post-occupancy survey to assess occupant perceptions and attitudes post-retrofit.

Aims & Objectives
Changeworks are dedicated to decarbonising Scotland’s homes and a just transition to net zero. Using combined efforts and CeNZ-HighDB expertise to support Changeworks in identifying, evaluating, and strategically positioning emerging and established low-carbon and resource-efficient heating and hot water systems through the development of a comprehensive repository, enabling informed decision-making and paving the way for future real-world trials, with a focus of social housing.
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Activities involved
Conduct project initiation workshop to define scope, goals, and criteria.
Research and identify relevant low-carbon heating and hot water systems.
Design and structure the technology repository for usability and future scalability.
Identifying key qualitative and quantitative aspects.
Collect technical data and performance claims for each technology.
Compile relevant case studies demonstrating real-world applications and outcomes, including in the context of social housing.
Map technologies to contexts where they are likely to have the highest impact and are most appropriate.
Interviews with relevant stakeholders, including Fife Council, for their experience of key technologies.
Perform gap analysis to identify missing data and opportunities for further investigation.
Recommend technologies suitable for live trials and further validation.
Deliver final report and present findings with Changeworks to stakeholders.

Aims & Objectives
Edinburgh College have undergone a revolutionary change from a legacy gas system to a combined ASHP/WSHP system at one of their 5 campuses. This could become a re-use format for Edinburgh College, and other Scottish colleges, to upgrade high density campuses to Net Zero heating and cooling systems. The system will have been running for 1 year and have faced the winter season. Using data from the system and insights from designers we aim to produce a comprehensive, evidence-based case study documenting the design, installation, and post- occupancy performance of the renewable heating upgrade at Edinburgh College’s Midlothian Campus.
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Activities involved
Define key messages, objectives, and target in design stages
Data collection, stakeholder consultation
Analyse how the system operates across different modes/seasons
Review post-occupancy performance and operational insights
Case Study Drafting
Visual Design & Supporting Materials
Review and Sign-Off

Aims & Objectives
Procast Group have experience with and are leading in deep retrofit projects around Scotland supported by completed projects and case studies. To deliver a comprehensive feasibility study and retrofit design for a West Highland Housing Association (WHHA) housing block in disrepair, focusing on improving energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and increasing housing capacity through innovative technologies and space reconfiguration.
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Activities involved
• Conduct a site survey and assessment of the WHHA housing block.
• Assess retrofit options for fabric, heating, ventilation, and PV technologies.
• Evaluate feasibility and design options for converting drying rooms into flats, and for
external walls.
• Develop cost estimates and financial analysis for retrofit measures and conversions.
• Produce a feasibility report with findings, recommendations, and lessons learned.
• Plan next steps for detailed design and implementation based on study outcomes.

The proposed project will build strategically on the learnings and successes of HCI and create wider connectivity of the findings beyond the ESES region across Scotland and the rUK raising the profile internationally where possible. Utilising the HCI experience, building upon its partnerships and the interventions deployed the project will create a structured future-ready skills framework facilitating the formation of a “Knowledge Hub” or connected network to maximise resource efficiency and create the necessary conditions for EDI, skills and training interventions in Net Zero Built Environment at scale.  

Aim
The aim of the project is to review the retrofit approach, assess improvements in energy and thermal performance, and gather occupant’s feedback post-retrofit of a pre-1919 solid stone Grade A listed dwelling.
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Objectives
1. Review the applied a building retrofit approach,
2. Assess thermal performance and energy efficiency improvements post-retrofit,
3. Assess post-occupancy, focusing on thermal comfort, occupant satisfaction and adaptation to
retrofit technology; air source heat pumps,
4. Assess improvement in energy use post-retrofit, compared to pre-retrofit.
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Activities involved
1. Interview with architects
2. Envelope performance evaluation using in-situ monitoring tools,
3. Occupant survey
4. Energy use analysis

Aims & Objectives
• Identify EDI-related adoption barriers in net-zero housing, including workforce diversity,
community inclusion and accessibility.
• Explore regional adaptability of MMC-based-net-zero housing delivery to ensure
inclusivity across different socio-economic groups.
• Identify implementational barriers of policy and delivery approach of EHD, to determine
key barriers best-practices in implementation and scalability.
• Evaluate if workforce challenges (diversity, accessibility, regional skills gap) are
slowing/hinder the adoption of net-zero MMC housing.
• Run a series of workshops with master level students to pilot and then to full professional
audiences of policy makers and stakeholders.
• Determine how the approach can be adapted for alternative uses / audiences.
• Look to internationalise the approach by engaging with the University of Cal Berkeley
Terner Centre – Home – Terner Center
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Activities involved
• EDI Gap Analysis in Housing Delivery Models
• Conduct Needs & Barriers assessment to assess exclusion factors, accessibility limitations
and socio-economic barriers in MMC adoption.
• Compare and understand how different regions/local authorities implement MMC-based
net-zero housing to understand scalable best practices.
• Workforce & Skills Accessibility Mapping to assess if workforce diversity, skill gaps are
limiting the adoption of MMC housing solutions.