The Engine house, Linotype Works

Historic Preservation

Originally built in 1897 as part of the Linotype Works, The Engine House is a Grade II listed building in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Initially marked for demolition in 2021, Morris Homes had first proposed to preserve and convert the historic powerhouse into flats. However, after a report by structural engineers Atkinson Peck concluded the building was unsuitable for conversion, it was recommended that the structure be carefully dismantled and reconstructed in its original form—reusing as much of the original material as possible, including reinstating the original travel crane.

Collaborative Design

Acorn Timber Engineering Ltd became involved in the early design stage in March 2022, working closely with Morris Homes following the release of preliminary drawings. From the outset, our team collaborated with Morris’ design team to develop a bespoke roof truss system that honoured the architectural heritage of The Engine House while fulfilling modern structural and performance standards.

Bespoke Trusses

Led by Senior designer Elicia Brumley, Acorn designed, manufactured, and supplied over 200 bespoke timber components, including 18 unique truss types. The largest truss, spanning more than 12 metres, was meticulously integrated into the parapet walls to replicate the original architectural form.

Sustainable Solutions

The final design featured attic mono trusses, with careful consideration given to safety harness load placement for future maintenance access. Sustainability remained a core priority throughout the project:

• We used PEFC-certified timber
• We minimised waste through optimised cutting and loading
• We supported the reuse of original slate tiles and reclaimed materials

Logistics Success

Despite the challenges of limited site access, the project adhered to strict safety and delivery protocols through staged logistics and precision-sized components.

Today, The Engine House stands as a modern residential landmark that preserves its historical character - a testament to successful heritage restoration, innovative timber engineering, and sustainable construction practices.