Gibbs Bonner Minns Architectural Partnership - Conservation & Church Buildings Project 1

	We first surveyed the Mill building early in 1989, by which time it was uninhabitable. The external pitch coating had eroded, allowing water to saturate the soft red brickwork, causing severe spalling. The building was leaking and the internal face of the external wall was badly effected by damp, causing extensive mould growth. Below the third floor very
little original internal fabric remained, although above this level the floors were largely intact. Priorities for the works were therefore as follows -
To halt the deterioration of brickwork by cutting out and replacing badly decayed areas. On completion of this work, to recoat the tower with a suitable weatherproofing paint to prevent further water ingress. To prevent further timber decay. To stabilise the internal environment suitable for occupation. To convert the whole building to a single residence.
Internal detailing was kept simple and utilitarian in order to preserve as much of the industrial aesthetic of the building as possible. No skirtings or architraves were used and service pipework, conduits and fittings were surface mounted (also necessary to avoid chasing the walls, thereby disrupting the damp-proof membrane). Timber joists and tie beams were left exposed wherever possible. The Mill is entered at ground floor level. Living accommodation and a studio are situated on the first to fifth floors accessed by a steel spiral staircase. There are a further two floors, currently used as studios. The major building works to convert the first to fifth floors were completed by Christmas 1989. Conversion of the ground floor and extension of the spiral stair to this level were completed in November 1995. An entrance from street level was completed in 1997 and external redecorations in 2000.