Located in the heart of Dulverton within Exmoor National Park, The Mill stands as a striking testament to Somerset’s industrial past. Built in the early nineteenth century as a purpose-built crepe silk factory, this Grade II listed structure presents a rare architectural typology for the South West, where the conversion of redundant woollen mills for this purpose was more common. Over its life, the building has evolved with the town’s changing commercial landscape, transitioning from silk production to a joinery workshop, and finally to a substantial commercial laundry before falling vacant in 2018.

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After a change of ownership, LCA have been appointed to design a sensitive and comprehensive residential scheme to bring new life into the historic fabric, converting and refurbishing the industrial complex into nine bespoke one- and two-bedroom apartments.

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Marrying a 19th-century industrial building with 21st-century environmental standards presents unique technical challenges. Because the town’s active mill leat continues to flow directly through and beneath the complex, the architectural response integrates sophisticated flood-risk management and wildlife protection into the core design. Concurrently, the building envelope requires substantial energy efficiency upgrades, with selection of suitable and sustainable construction approach to respect the historic building fabric.

Image credits: Carlotta Luke (1991) and Leigh Simpson.

Originating from the 16^th century, this Grade II listed farmhouse occupies a distinctive corner of the village. Behind public facing boundaries the interior opens into much-loved and generous gardens.

When a neighbouring run-down and redundant blacksmith’s workshop became available, the opportunity presented itself to renovate this building and repurpose other outbuildings to allow the living spaces within the house to better engage with and flow into the garden.

To achieve this brief, an unsympathetic 20^th century house extension was removed and replaced with a glazed link that engages directly with the garden as well as providing an intimate study space within. Through this space the previously inward-looking kitchen, now decluttered and refitted, has views out and allows light in through framed openings.

Beyond the glazed link and at the lower level, a new ‘Bootility’ room fronts the renovated blacksmiths workshop to form an alley way that at one end is accessed from the village street with the other end opening out into a gravelled, gardeners service yard with glass house, cold frames and plant stores.

Another key change was reorganisation of the vehicle access. The car parking previously cutting across the front of the house was relocated. The existing garages have been softened by larch cladding and within which a peaceful home office has been created that also enjoys its own framed outlook onto the garden.

The result is greater than the sum of the respective parts. The existing medieval through passage of the house interior now offers on arrival, a vista through to the garden with the circular lawn framed by new herbaceous planting. Further, the south facing aspect of the existing farmhouse becomes a sunny terrace with outside dining area. The arrangement of buildings, connecting walls, structures and planting has also created linked destinations such as a secluded evening drinks spot for catching the setting sun, or sheltered seating for barbeques.