When we think of shadows we naturally think of light. As with many things, Manchester has a special tale regarding such matters. The city has a considerable history of various types of light and darkness, especially in relation to its pioneering role in the industrialisation of cities. The coal fires that powered this transformation created huge amounts of soot that were deposited onto the surfaces of buildings. This led to an ‘architecture of darkness’, a couple of examples of which remain to the present day as silent witnesses to the enormous energy that changed the city and its fortunes forever.