CASE STUDY
Maber Associates
Bowmer + Kirkland
Telephone: 01993 833155
Built by Robert Stephenson in 1839 for the North Midland Railway, this building is the world’s first railway roundhouse. Architects, Maber Associates, were selected to bring this Grade II listed building to its former glory as part of the main campus of Derby College.
The task was reinstating a circle of 48 trapezoidal rooflights, of which 36 had to open remotely. The project also included a further 64 linked Conservation Rooflights installed on the former carriage shops and engine sheds.
Working with the architects, and construction firm Bowmer + Kirkland, we developed a tailormade version of our Conservation Rooflight. As every facet was unique, we utilised 3D scanning technology to map the entire roof structure and build a 3D CAD model of the rooflight that ensured millimetre accuracy and enabled the construction team to work within the historic constraints of the existing building.
These roof windows provide the building with much-needed ventilation and significantly improve the thermal performance. They combined modern performance with original heritage design, with slender frames that match the appearance of the original roof windows, maintaining the roundhouse’s iconic silhouette.
This gallery would showcase the spectacular scale of the roundhouse, restored timber structures, bespoke trapezoidal rooflights, and the blending of Victorian engineering with modern technical refinement.
Many people who worked on this project at the time described it as a labour of love and the resulting attention to detail is still clearly evident.
Ian Harris
/
Managing Director Maber Associates
After 20 years of dereliction, the world’s oldest roundhouse has been sympathetically renovated and restored for a new lease of life that English Heritage cite as an exemplar project.
Built by Robert Stephenson in 1839 for the North Midland Railway, the building is the world’s first railway roundhouse. An unusual polygon of sixteen sides and 58m in diameter, the space is lit from a dome-shaped roof some 15m above the ground. Having narrowly escaped demolition after the closure of Derby Railway Works, this Grade II Listed Building has been sympathetically restored as part of the main campus of Derby College.
Architects Maber Associates returned the building to its former glory with original features restored and complemented by unique interpretation artwork, bringing to life the rich industrial and railway heritage of the site. The large span of the existing building matched perfectly the spatial demands of the college, ensuring a sympathetic restoration with no subdivision of the principal spaces.
The roof posed the biggest challenge due to its poor condition and because it provided one of the few opportunities to improve the building’s thermal performance. We were approached by the team at Maber to support the reconstruction of the roof, which involved reinstating a ring of 48 trapezoidal rooflights within the existing timber frame, of which 36 open remotely using electric actuators.
As every facet was unique, we used 3D scanning technology to map the entire roof structure and build a 3D CAD model of the rooflights, ensuring millimetre accuracy and enabling the construction team to work within the historic constraints of the existing building.
The result was a sympathetic renovation that preserved the look and feel of the original building without compromising modern performance.
Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, the roof of the Roundhouse became increasingly compromised by fire, removal of slates and rooflights, and structural movement. The strategic brief for its restoration centred on reinstating the roof in accordance with contemporary etchings and photographs from the 1860s.
Such a specialist task required expert conservation design to supply rooflights that met the strict specifications for glass weight, section size and span. Every rooflight needed slightly different dimensions, reflecting the building’s natural movement over time, making site measurement and precision manufacturing essential. Although the original Victorian rooflights were fixed, modern heating and ventilation requirements meant one in three needed to open. The architect was clear that fixed and opening units must appear identical when closed.
Our team created bespoke Conservation Rooflights employing straight bars. The 2.3m-long units follow the line of the roof hip. The project also required a run of finely detailed, low-profile pitched roof windows installed on the former carriage shops and engine sheds, following the original pattern. Our linked Conservation Rooflights provided the perfect solution, and 64 of these were supplied.
Approved by the National Trust and English Heritage, our Conservation Rooflight range is frequently accepted by planners and conservation officers across the UK. Key features include:
The Derby Roundhouse restoration stands as a landmark conservation achievement, pairing sensitive heritage repair with advanced technical performance.
• RICS Project of the Year
• Project of the Year – East Midlands Centre for Constructing the Built Environment
• Heritage Award – East Midlands Centre for Constructing the Built Environment
• East Midlands Property Awards
• English Heritage “Constructive Conservation” exemplar project
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Meet the experts behind this project – our dedicated team who brought this vision to life.
Passionate about properties of distinction, Phil understands the delicate balance between preserving the integrity of historic buildings and delivering high-quality, high-performing natural top lighting solutions. With exacting standards, Phil recognises that prestigious properties require not only superior products but also a bespoke service that supports every stage of the project. Collaborating closely with our Design Engineers, Phil advises on some of our most complex and highly confidential projects, where discretion and sensitivity are paramount both nationally and internationally.
Kathryn is a skilled Design Manager who combines creative thinking with practical engineering insight. Grounded in realistic and achievable design principles, she brings clarity and innovation to even the most complex rooflight challenges. Passionate about delivering exceptional results, Kathryn is committed to ensuring your specification requirements are not only met—but exceeded. With extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in natural toplighting solutions, she is a trusted partner throughout the design process. Her approach ensures that every solution is thoughtfully designed, high-performing, and tailored to the unique needs of your project.
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