The Handmade Bakery project was the extensive retrofit of a riverside mill in Slaithwaite, designed to house a co-operatively run bakery. The process was built around participatory workshops with the cooperative’s ten directors and wider members, ensuring that the ethos of shared ownership and community engagement shaped every decision.

The retrofit enhanced the building’s environmental performance and reimagined its spaces to support food production, learning, and community activity. Local materials, trades, and suppliers were prioritised, grounding the project firmly in its context. By working closely with directors and users, the design embedded care and inclusivity into the fabric of the building, creating a place that is resilient, flexible, and genuinely owned by those who use it.

The bakery is now back in its space—baking bread, running workshops, and serving Slaithwaite’s community once again. Material reuse and simplicity were central to the design: existing elements were retained wherever possible, while new layers were added through exposed oak joinery and locally crafted furniture. Designing and making these pieces was one of the real joys of the project, combining craft and care in a way that reflects the cooperative’s values.