50 | Feature: Trussed Rafters
HISTORIC MOMENT
An historic industrial building has been brought back into use with innovative timber design by Acorn Timber Engineering
The Engine House, part of the Linotype Works in Broadheath, Altrincham, was originally built in 1897 to house specialist typesetting machinery. Once a symbol of late Victorian industrial progress, the building had fallen into decline by 2021 and was facing demolition.
A successful application to Historic England secured Grade-II listed status, which protected the structure but also imposed strict requirements on any redevelopment. The challenge was to adapt the building into modern apartments while preserving its historic character and meeting today’s performance standards. Acorn Timber Engineering Ltd, working alongside Shelbourne Estates of the Morris Homes Group, was tasked with delivering the roof structure. The project was led by senior designer Elicia Brumley, who began her career as one of Acorn Timber Engineering’s first apprentices and has since become the sole designer for a key client, Morris Homes. Her leadership on this scheme was recognised when the project won Conversion and Refurbishment Project of the Year at the Trussed Rafter Association’s Roofscape Design Awards 2025.
One of the first challenges was the structure itself. Measuring 12m wide, 20m long and 15m tall, structural engineers Atkinson Peck deemed the original building unsuitable for conventional conversion. The decision was taken to dismantle it, carefully cataloguing original features such as the travel crane, stonework and slate tiles so they could be reinstated later. This approach required a highly precise engineering solution to ensure that the roof could both fit the historic shell and perform to modern standards.
The team at Acorn Timber Engineering designed and manufactured more than 200 timber components across 18 truss types. Among the most complex was a 12m trussed rafter with a horned bottom chord engineered to slot directly into the parapet wall.
Attic truss monos were developed to provide fire-door access without altering the building’s historic profile, and the design also incorporated provision for a discreet mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system, with trusses configured to accommodate pipework and provide anchor points for safe future maintenance.
TTJ | Spring 2026 |
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Reconstructing the roof presented significant technical and logistical hurdles. With a span of 20m, the roof required detailed calculations to ensure additional loads could be supported. Extended bottom chords were developed to follow the parapet walls, combining structural resilience with heritage accuracy.
Each truss was labelled to correspond with detailed design drawings, ensuring clarity during installation. The restricted site meant that deliveries had to be staged, with trusses arriving on the first day and spandrel panels on the second. To make handling safer, panels were fabricated in smaller sections that could be more easily lifted and manoeuvred on site.
Health and safety was a priority throughout. Handling large trusses and panels on a confined site required careful co-ordination between Ms Brumley’s team and Morris Homes. Unloading and placement were planned in detail to minimise risks and maintain compliance with modern standards, a stark contrast to the conditions under which the original building was constructed in 1897. Sustainability was also central to the project. All timber was PEFC-certified and sourced from responsibly managed forests. The truss designs were optimised to minimise offcuts, and transport was consolidated to reduce carbon emissions. Wherever possible,
original slate tiles were salvaged and reused, while replacement tiles were manufactured under controlled factory conditions to ensure precision and reduce waste. These measures helped preserve authenticity while reducing the environmental impact of the restoration. The completed project demonstrates how heritage and modern engineering can be successfully combined. For Acorn Timber Engineering, The Engine House reinforced its reputation for delivering technically demanding roof designs with a commitment to sustainability and safety. For Elicia Brumley, it marked a professional milestone, showcasing her ability to lead a complex conservation scheme and deliver a building that will now be enjoyed for generations.
Nick Boulton, chief executive of the Trussed Rafter Association, praised the scheme: “The Engine House is a prime example of how heritage and modern design can coexist beautifully. Acorn Timber Engineering didn’t just rebuild a structure; they reignited a legacy. Elicia’s precision and commitment to sustainable design have brought the building back to life, stronger and more resilient than ever.”
The Engine House now stands as both a restored landmark and a demonstration of what is possible when conservation and innovation work hand in hand. ■
Above: The Engine House – a bird’s-eye view of trussed rafters
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