Corn Mill Project by 2020 Architects | 2020 Architects

When Northern Irish Architects 2020 were appointed by clients wanting to convert a 19th Century Corn Mill they knew this project was going to be a delicate and sensitive restoration.    

One of just two remaining Corn Mills in Northern Ireland, this was a collaborative project between 2020 Architects, structural engineers, planning service and the clients transform a significant piece of Northern Irish heritage and culture.  

The Corn Mill project involved significant renovation and extension to remaining stone walls of the old, disused Corn Mill located along the Ballymartin River, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim.  An Historical Monument of industrial Heritage, this meant any proposed design or work to be carried out on the building would need signed-off from the Historical Monuments Unit.

From the onset, this project had to adhere to strict planning regulations in order to preserve the remaining stone wall of the Corn Mill which was built in the ‘Boom’ of industry in Ireland in the mid 1800's when Linen and flour were in high demand.  Since then, the Mill has had a number of uses ranging from offices to a water-powered electric generator for a milking parlour.  In more recent years, it has been used as a shelter for farm animals.

An initial structural survey carried out on the building documented that all walls which were still standing could be kept and those which were beyond repair would need to be rebuilt.

The final design of the Mill was twofold, a sympathetic restoration of the existing building and a modern vernacular extension, with a 'clear' divide between the old and the new in the form of a glass corridor/entrance. The feeling of walking into the glass connection with an open doorway on either side gives the option of local heritage or modern culture.

The entire external wall of the Mill is uninterrupted, allowing a full 360 perspective of the impressive random stonework. The profile of the two buildings is such that the modern extension mirrors that of the Corn Mill in an almost sibling big brother, little brother relationship. The interior of the Mill shows off exposed stone and timber trusses, with hints of wrought-iron creating that industrial feeling of local heritage. The new extension is designed to look like a modern twist on a traditional Irish white-wash bungalow/cottage, in obtrusive as to not draw away any attention from the real star of the show.