Works on Macclesfield's grade II listed former Paradise Mill combine industrial heritage preservation with modern innovation
The Paradise Mill project is part of a broader Saving Macclesfield’s Heritage initiative supported by the National Heritage Memorial Fund. It showcases how sensitive restoration can honour a building’s legacy while enhancing its functionality.
In the 1820s Macclesfield, once dubbed the silk capital of the UK, was home to 71 silk mills, including Paradise Mill, which is composed of an Upper and Lower Mill constructed in 1834 and 1864 respectively.
The attic level played a key role in jacquard handweaving, housing 70 looms that were illuminated by the natural daylight that filtered through the original roof windows - fixed timber units lined with lead.
By 1981, handweaving operations ceased and the attic was repurposed into the Silk Museum exhibit space. The subsequent deterioration of the roof prompted a crucial need for restoration.
Specification solution: Velux Heritage conservation roof windows
The challenge was to upgrade the roof’s weatherproofing and insulation while adhering to strict conservation guidelines and retaining the building’s historical appearance.
Velux Heritage conservation roof windows are slim-framed to emulate the elegance of original wrought-iron designs so they fulfilled the aesthetic and functional demands of the project. Their availability and ease of installation helped streamline the tight schedule and budget constraints, eliminating the need for costly, custom-made replicas.
Project architect Simon Revill of Cymes Conservation worked alongside Kate Dickson of Creative Heritage Consultants to ensure compliance with preservation standards. Construction was by the building's owners Allmand-Smith who were able to contribute in-house expertise on heritage building maintenance and aluminium rainwater goods.
Key technical challenges included preserving the original slate pattern, repairing a cast-iron valley gutter and adjusting window placement for better drainage.
A breathable membrane was installed beneath the slates to enhance water protection without compromising the thin roof profile. A temporary rolling roof structure ensured the building remained protected throughout the works.
Beyond particular structural upgrades, the project illustrates a broadening shift in sustainable building philosophy.
'A sustainable way to build is to reuse an existing building,' says Revill, 'and Paradise Mill shows how modern design can respectfully enhance the past.'
Instead of demolition and reconstruction, reusing and upgrading what's already there - especially by using breathable materials and heritage-compatible products - is increasingly the priority.
The attic floor of the museum is now better protected against the elements. The transformation has not only extended the life of the building, but also enriched the visitor experience, reinforcing the site’s role as a living testament to Macclesfield’s industrial heritage.
The use of Velux Heritage conservation roof windows exemplifies how contemporary performance can be achieved in a conservation context.
For more information on this case study and for technical support, visit velux/heritage-conservation-roof-window.co.uk
Contact:
architecture@velux.co.uk