A community center featuring a MILL in LONDON

South of London, in the Brixton area, the only windmill in operation of the city. In 1960, a park was designed around it to carry out activities, raise funds and maintain the mill; but until now this space had not been able to fully fulfill its purpose. The charity FoWG It offers guided tours, festivals, workshops and even produces Brixton Mill flour – which is used by local bakeries and restaurants – but these events need a community center, an official place to organize. And right there the architects come into action Squire & Partners . Now FoWG it also plans to launch its own bakery workshops.

The studio has built a modest and elongated one-story construction that does not compete with the old mill, leaving it to be the main protagonist. For the design they were inspired by the historical buildings that populated the place until the 1960s.

The frame is made of Douglas fir and the gable roof is made of Staffordshire blue engineered brick, reminiscent of a black painted windmill tower. In addition, a series of double-glazed doors offer views of the gardens and the windmill. Sliding panels with vertical louvers let light into the central space and provide security when the building is empty.