Kelsall Architects

Kelsall Architects Award winning architects. We use innovative, and joyful architecture as an agent for positive change. Work nationally.

Design for people, by people. Based in , . We are a Manchester based architectural firm who believe in putting people at the centre of design. Our clients like working with us because we spend time understanding the brief and the individuals throughout the design process.

.in.light x .furniture x In the heart of the historic Underbank, a forgotten building was reborn in light. For two nigh...
10/12/2025

.in.light x .furniture x

In the heart of the historic Underbank, a forgotten building was reborn in light. For two nights only, a secret exhibition created an art installation of light to reveal this unseen building. Designed and executed by Artin Light, in collaboration with Kelsall Architects and Piers Henry Furniture. It traced light across brick, timber, and steel, to transform this derelict structure into an extraordinary art installation. Activating this forgotten space into a living composition of reflection, refraction, and shadow. Demonstrating the potential of Stockport’s hidden spaces, and bringing life to this derelict structure before it undergoes redevelopment… Can you guess which building this was in?

Shopfront goals 😍
15/11/2025

Shopfront goals 😍

FINALLY. We are about start on site with this gem of a building on Great Underbank. It’s been quite a journey to get her...
23/09/2025

FINALLY. We are about start on site with this gem of a building on Great Underbank. It’s been quite a journey to get here (no change there then).

It is a derelict heritage building in the conservation area which has been vacant for over a decade. This transformation is part of the Rediscovering the Underbanks Initiative and will create one of the largest available commercial units on the Underbanks, ideally suited for a restaurant or bar.

As always, there will be no doubt be hurdles ahead but we are armed and ready! 👷

Partnership with and

And a shoutout to our new neighbours! ♥️

This is what happens when 25 of the north wests best small architecture practices come together. Privilege to be a part ...
19/09/2025

This is what happens when 25 of the north wests best small architecture practices come together. Privilege to be a part of it.

The exhibition showcases the quality, creativity and breadth of experience and expertise of this forward thinking group and will be for the next month.

Check it out! .uk

Take time to celebrate the small wins. 🥂I don’t know why, but we constantly have to remind ourselves to do this. We rece...
18/09/2025

Take time to celebrate the small wins. 🥂

I don’t know why, but we constantly have to remind ourselves to do this. We recently exchanged contracts on a building purchase that has been rumbling on in the background for over 4 years. It’s been so long, in fact, with so many frustrating, protracted and boring twists and turns, that we began to wonder whether it would ever happen and even if it was really worth it...

To the point where, when we got to this momentous moment, it didn’t really register.

Why, you might ask, as you look at it, did we persevere for such a tired, unimportant looking, shabby building? Well, if you zoom out, it’s all part of a bigger picture and hopefully in the long term will be worth all the frustration, the money and the time, not just bringing financial rewards but also adding huge value to a forgotten corner of the Marketplace and Underbanks area. It’s a small but very important piece of the puzzle.

And we’re not even there yet! We still have to navigate the planning system (let’s not go there at the moment) and finally get the thing built...

But we have got to this point. Another rung on the ladder, another small win, and we will celebrate...

🍾

And then get going again.

🏃🏃🏃

It’s been such a privilege working with Jonathan Alcock and Sons Funeral Director’s to review their existing estate and ...
17/09/2025

It’s been such a privilege working with Jonathan Alcock and Sons Funeral Director’s to review their existing estate and masterplan a solution that ensures their collection of heritage buildings are fit for the future.

The design includes some modifications to improve the flow and the relationship of the different functions, as well as new build elements including a chapel of rest and memorial garden to allow the business to provide services as part of their offering to clients.

The project is currently in planning so we’re looking forward to the next stage!

My favourite projects are ones that start something like this, where the potential for transformation is greatest. Got t...
10/09/2025

My favourite projects are ones that start something like this, where the potential for transformation is greatest.

Got that tingly sort of start of a project feeling today.

Anyone recognise this?

I’ll give you a clue…

A really lovely evening last night at the Urbanistasnw x MCR Life Drawing (by Brixton Life Drawing) event hosted at Terr...
27/08/2025

A really lovely evening last night at the Urbanistasnw x MCR Life Drawing (by Brixton Life Drawing) event hosted at Terrace NQ! Looking forward to the next one! 🧑‍🎨 😊

Glorious day for a site visit!... Not much beats being 6 stories up, under clear blue skies, with a hulking great big Li...
20/03/2025

Glorious day for a site visit!... Not much beats being 6 stories up, under clear blue skies, with a hulking great big Listed Building in front of you, all wrapped in scaffolding.

This is Brunswick Mill, we're working with the contractor to undertake a detailed masonry condition survey, including repointing assessment, brick replacements and stonework repairs. Given its Grade II Listed status, we're keen to retain as much original fabric as viable, to ensure the character and heritage shine through.

is a Grade II Listed former cotton spinning mill, built around 1840. At the time, it was one of the largest mills in the country and possibly one of the first in Manchester to be converted to electric power. This unusually large fireproof mill boasts a distinctive architectural layout. More recently, it gained fame as a rehearsal space, including for Oasis back in the day. It was also featured in one of Liam Gallagher's music videos, adding that rock 'n' roll edge to its rich history. No parkas were found on our site visit...

Check out photo 5, we see these a lot on heritage buildings and they cause all kinds of headaches. Any guesses for what they are?

06/03/2025

Get your sketch on! This time last week we blew away the winter blues with a heavy dose of still life drawing. Sketching is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. All our projects start with a fat black pen and hand sketching, so anything we can do to reduce the friction between the left brain and paper is a win in our eyes...

17/12/2024

RESTORE. We work on Listed buildings, Conservation Areas and sustainable retrofits.

Restoration. Conservation. Renewal. Listed buildings. National Parks. UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Grade II. Grade II*. Grade I. If it's old, we know how to breathe new life into it.

12/12/2024

What a year it's been at Kelsall Architects! We're so proud to have won two RIBA North West Awards for our Little Underbank project, it's a real testament to our innovative and sensitive approach to heritage restoration.

We've continued to make strides in sustainable practices, helping numerous families in reimagining their homes with a focus on environmental responsibility. We also secured Planning for our latest Mustard Cowork Stockport expansion, a sustainable serviced office development in the heart of Stockport.

We love being part of the Stockport community. We've enjoyed celebrating the town’s vibrant culture through street parties, street art festivals and community gardening, and we're proud to be involved in projects that contribute to the town's ongoing revitalisation.

2024 has been a year where our focus has been firmly on the concept and technical design of many projects. From big picture thinking, fat black pens and blank sheets of tracing paper (or iPad really!), through obtaining Planning permission, and onto setting out brickwork, measuring moisture content and PHPP energy models. As we look forward to 2025, we’ll be seeing more of these designs come to life when we start construction. Watch this space!

Thank you for being part of our journey this year. We wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Team KA

Address

13b Little Underbank
Stockport
SK11LA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+447827446485

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