Historic Mill House Transforms into Creative Hub for Artisans and Craftsmen
Crafting a Creative Haven: A Mill Redesign in Hampshire
Australian architect Glenn Murcutt's philosophy, "Touch the Earth lightly," guides Cooke Fawcett's redesign of an old water mill in Hampshire. This 17th-century Grade II listed mill, nestled on the River Test, underwent a transformation to turn it into a modern workspace for artists Miriam Nabarro and Simon Quinn.
Peering beneath the property's history, a hidden bread oven was uncovered, from which a new open-plan dining and lounge room emerges, overlooking the verdant garden and the newly constructed workshop and studio spaces. The mill itself boasts its original wooden machinery, with the occasional modern touch like a heat pump in the mill race.
What was once an obscured brick wall, Nabarro's nod to her Australian roots, now acts as a link between the revitalized mill and the new extension, filled with natural light and air. This new two-story annexe features sycamore cladding and a slanted sheet metal roof, the latter subtly overhanging on the north, east, and south sides.
The workshop and studio spaces within are high-ceilinged and flooded with daylight, offering flexibility and plenty of storage for the duo's equipment. These spaces were designed with empathy for both the clients and their surroundings, striving to create a space that inspires while respecting the property's heritage.
As Oliver Cooke, director of Cooke Fawcett, puts it, "This design is a celebration of working and living in harmony." Nabarro echoes this sentiment, praising the studio's immersion in nature and Quinn affectionately remarks that the design process has left them feeling like "custodians of the site."
A testament to the power of collaboration, this transformation of a historic mill into a modern space that coexists with nature, celebrates creativity, and honors its rich history, encapsulates perfectly the mantra, "Touch the Earth lightly."
Weather permitting, one can admire the mill's harmonious blend of history and modern design, with its sycamore-clad annexe and slanted sheet metal roof. In the fashion-and-beauty sector, the inspiring locale may even influence Miriam Nabarro's creative endeavors, as she embraces the lifestyle of her new home-and-garden setup in the heart of Hampshire.
