Millgate Building, Chethams School of Music

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As part of the strategic regeneration of the dormitory's within the Millgate Building at Chethams School of Music, Manor Architecture provided planning and architectural design services for the remodel and renovation within this iconic listed building.

The project brief was to maximise the number of bed spaces on level 5 of the building, whilst sensitively enhancing the heritage assets features. The proposed works look to remove the old dilapidated suspended ceilings to create a double height space to make use of the large fenestration which characterise this building. 

This design proposal effectively doubled the floor area available for accommodation, which not only provided the school with additional capacity for student accommodation, but enhanced the living quarters for the students with the introduction of private bathrooms. 

Having experience of working on extending and refurbishing numerous listed buildings and within scheduled ancient monuments in the past, Manor Architecture have the necessary expertise to tackle these types of projects with a commercially minded yet sensitive approach adhering to the principals, philosophy and ethics set out by Historic England.

Our approach for Millgate Building was no different. We set out to understand the history and effective "DNA" of the structure of the building. This ensured that the proposed detailing for the refurbishment works were designed in a way that were cost effective to meet the clients needs but also meet the stringent requirements of the councils Conservation Officer. 

As well as the dormitory works, we have undertaken all manner of estate improvement and compliance works within the listed building. Simon Chaplin, Director of Operation at the school provided the following testimonial:

"We have been working with Ryan for the last 5 years on a variety of projects at Chetham’s.

These have included major refurbishment of boarding accommodation within one of our listed buildings, two phases now complete with the next three in various stages of planning.  Other works have included providing up to date BIM and drawings for many of our buildings to allow planning for future refurbishment works.

Ryan has always been very responsive, patient and has provided us with useful and professional advice to aid our decision making processes when planning the future development of our site."