The mortuary will improve dignity for the deceased and provide an enhanced environment for the bereaved and staff.

The new two-storey all-electric building will provide family consultation and private areas; post-mortem rooms; body storage; meeting rooms; an office for Police Scotland and a teaching and museum area. There will also be X-ray and CT scanner capabilities.

The building will have over 600m2 of solar panels and is highly insulated to minimise heat loss and ventilation. The heating, lighting and hot water systems are designed to be highly efficient.

The project will deliver strong social sustainability outcomes, with Kier committed to meeting a number of targets which are tailored to the needs of the local community. These will include the creation of new jobs, work placements, educational engagement activities, training/upskilling and volunteering within the local community.

Phil McDowell, regional director at Kier Construction North & Scotland, added: “We are working closely with Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian to provide this much-needed facility for the community. It is important that in such difficult times, those that have lost a loved one have access to the best local amenities they deserve.”

Miranda Radley, Aberdeen City Council convener of Communities, Housing and Public Protection, said: “It is good to see the collaboration between many organisations with a building that is fit for purpose, works for staff, and improves educational facilities.

“We welcome the contribution from the Scottish Government toward the project as being an innovative pathology learning facility in Scotland.”

NHS Grampian executive director of infrastructure and sustainability, Paul Allen, said: “It is a considerable accomplishment for the design to have been taken forward through this historically unusual period.

“The team is pleased with the development and to be working on such a complex, multi-functional and multi-agency project.”

The project is due to be completed in Spring 2024.

This project builds on Kier’s presence in Aberdeen where it delivered the transformation of the historic Aberdeen Music Hall and it is currently on site in the third iteration of the Aberdeenshire Housing Improvement Programme framework.