Hunsett Mill addition at harmony with its surroundings

The recent renovation of Hunsett Mill by ACME architects aimed for a simple yet durable building with a high degree of sustainability that blends into its surroundings in the historic Norfolk Broads National Park. This man-made wetland sustained by a system of mills, dykes and canals was long exploited for industrial purposes, but has more recently been the object of conservation efforts.
Hunsett Mill is a remote water pumping mill set back into the park, and the building in question was home to the mill-keeper until the turn of the 20^th century when electricity replaced wind-powered pumps. A series of additions had extended the small dwelling over the years, but lacked visual harmony and presented a number of problems including flooding. The architects decided to demolish these additions and extend the original home with one well-designed addition to one side.

The addition was conceived as a shadow of the existing brick building. In fact, it is made entirely of solid, laminated wood, clad in charred cedar boards on the outside. This creates a sharp, modern contrast which is softened by the presence of pitched roofs and dark wooden boards, typical of traditional local architecture.
Embodied energy, building methods, and post-construction efficiency were taken into consideration during the design process in order to ensure a positive impact on the local ecology. Ground-source heat pumps, passive solar heating and independent water well supply contribute to achieving near self-sufficiency in terms of energy, water and waste.
Large windows also ensure that an abundance of natural light reaches the interior, reducing the need for artificial illumination, and provide breath-taking views of the wind mill and surrounding landscape.

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GALLERY