February 15 2022

Works to refurbish and extend a historic B-listed Jute mill in Dundee city centre are to enter a second phase with proposals to restore the Victoria Street/Dens Road 'sawtooth' profile to its original appearance.

Again led by James Paul Associates the latest improvements to Eagle Mill will marry preservation of surviving fabric, with 'robust' interventions to facilitate its new residential nature on secondary elevations such as Lyon Street.

'Light touch' changes see windows restored to their original proportions, with additional steelwork supporting the retained wall, behind which an 'industrial' walled garden will be located for the benefit of residents. Framing the opposite corner of this urban park will be an L-plan new build block in light buff brick on the former factory floor, extending the sawtooth roof design while wrapping around retained walls and industrial openings.

A freestanding steel feature stair and industrial style gantries accommodate circulation through exposed areas of the retained structure, enabling it to be read as a standalone element.

Explaining their contextual approach the architect wrote: "New architectural forms are stepped back from the existing structure or ‘soft joints’ are employed with the original fabric, in order to retain historical reading within the fabric. Where the new function dictates modern requirements be implemented on the existing, such as new glazed areas for daylighting or level access walkways, care has been taken to limit the frequency of the former and to ensure that these occur within existing window reveals or in areas architecturally appropriate for their inclusion, building on the existing rhythm of fenestration."

A sizeable basement will be put to use as a vertical farm developed in partnership with the Hutton Institute, complete with supporting control rooms and laboratories.  

7 Comments

#1 Posted by TheFakeArchitect on 15 Feb 2022 at 10:03 AM

Looks great, as do the renders.

#2 Posted by The Observer on 15 Feb 2022 at 10:09 AM

Well done JPA, great scheme and well represented.

#3 Posted by The Big Dawg on 15 Feb 2022 at 11:15 AM

Once again, Dundee showing Aberdeen how a progressive urban renewal can happen happen near to the docks. This is such a lovely scheme.

#4 Posted by Conserve & Preserve on 15 Feb 2022 at 16:25 PM

High quality sympathetic design to restore a piece of Dundee’s history. Architectural conservation done correct.

#5 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 16 Feb 2022 at 12:44 PM

Interesting to see the concept of "light touch" upgrading now coming into vogue -- would that suggest that the SG gravy train has hit the buffers and money is tight?

Similar vibe on show with the latest plans for the Briggait in Glesga now dealing with the reality of the building they have rather than tearing down lumps of it and building a monstrosity that reeks of designer ego.

#6 Posted by tiptoe on 16 Feb 2022 at 15:29 PM

This old cynic has never said this before but, I like it!! Well done JPA and Dundee

#7 Posted by Jamie Brown on 17 Feb 2022 at 11:05 AM

This looks like a great scheme, well done all involved!

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