15/10/2026
ENGINE HOUSE | DERBY
Great design starts with understanding the story of a place and for our recent project at Engine House, Friar Gate, Derby, that story was particularly rich.
Built in 1877 for the Great Northern Railway, the Grade II listed building formed part of the historic Friargate Goods Yard, housing steam pump engines that powered hydraulic lifts in the nearby Bonded Warehouse.
Our design team, led by the buildingโs history and context, developed a scheme that celebrates its industrial roots while introducing a refined, contemporary aesthetic.
Deep metallic finishes and a considered mix of raw and polished materials bring character to the space, creating a balance between the buildingโs heritage and the quality of the modern development it represents.
As Georgia Wright, Junior Interior Designer, explains:
โBy fully understanding the meaning of the Engine House in relation to its surroundings and elaborate context, we were able to deliver a scheme that feels at once elegantly contemporary and historically grounded.โ
Successful design isnโt about imposing a new identity on a building, rather itโs about understanding what makes it special and finding thoughtful ways to carry that story forward.