This complex project involved the restoration of Anchor Mills, a disused finishing mill in Paisley, Scotland. The mill, which had once been used to manufacture textiles but had become derelict, had to be made suitable for conversion into a residential development. Buro Happold's sympathetic approach to the restoration work ensured that there was minimum intervention to the historic fabric of the building. For example, cast iron stitching methods were used for the repairs to columns within the superstructure.

Natural ventilation was adopted as the main environmental strategy within the atrium space – with the use of low level and high level louvres enabling the system to provide a passive indoor climate solution. The natural ventilation concept was developed in conjunction with the fire engineering strategy, so passive smoke ventilation could be provided to the spaces.

Date: 2000 - 2002