The Old Mill

The brief called for the demolition of an unsympathetic 1980s extension, extensive alterations to the main house, and the creation of a generous double-height space at the heart of the building. The mill sits tight against the river, with water flowing through a tunnel beneath, and the site is rich in archaeological interest. The design had to respect the listed status, retain much of the original 19th-century fabric, and work within challenging ground and groundwater conditions.

We provided civil and structural engineering for the refurbishment and extension, stripping back and stabilising the existing mill buildings before introducing carefully judged new elements. Ground floors were rebuilt as suspended reinforced concrete to allow underfloor heating and address the building’s proximity to the river. Original timber beams were retained where possible, with local strengthening where past alterations had left them weakened. A steel and timber high-level walkway threads between existing roof trusses, and a new lucum reinstates a lost historic feature without overloading the old structure. The extension reuses stone walls where possible, with new timber joists and a glazed link, while at its heart a post-tensioned stone helical stair rises through the new double-height space.

The completed scheme preserves the character of the old mill while introducing new spaces and features that serve modern living and showcase refined engineering.