Gillespie Yunnie Architects / Images
Mills Bakery, Royal William Yard, Plymouth
The Yard was designed in the 1830’s by Sir John Rennie as both a factory and a supply depot. It was intended to meet the victualling requirements of the naval fleet at the time, and contains what is arguably the most important group of historic military buildings in Britain. The developers, Urban Splash, are working in partnership with the South West Regional Development Agency to regenerate the Yard and create a sustainable mixed-use community.
Mills Bakery represents the current phase of development and provides mixed-use accommodation comprising 79 apartments and 6000sqm of office, restaurant and commercial space. Phase One is now occupied with the remainder due for completion by spring 2009.
Our proposals here work closely with the existing fabric to provide imaginative design solutions which respond to the constraints imposed by a Grade 1 Listed building. The design is clean and contemporary utilizing a simple palette of timber, glass and white surfaces to contrast with the rough textures of the existing fabric.
The residential units vary in size from small 35sqm ‘micro’ apartments to spacious 3 bed duplex penthouses with rooftop courtyards. Both the residential and commercial elements are clustered around central atrium spaces which have carved out of the deep plan interiors to bath the circulation cores with natural light. At ground floor level, all routes lead to two central courtyards which provide an intimate, tranquil alternative to the more active public quayside frontages.