Practice News

Planning consent for Brixton Windmill Education Centre

Recent News

March 2017


Squire and Partners have been granted consent for a new Education and Community Centre adjacent to Brixton Windmill, on behalf of Lambeth Council and Friends of Windmill Gardens (FoWG), the charity who manages the restored Grade II* listed windmill.

The building is designed as a flexible space which will serve a variety of users – including school groups, adult education initiatives, community groups and local residents – and act as a visitor centre for FoWG who host regular Open Days and festivals. The facility supports the expansion of milling activities and the social enterprise which sells Brixton Windmill flour to local bakeries, restaurants and retailers, as well as running baking workshops.

Designs respond to the site’s agricultural history by creating a contemporary crafted pitched roof structure using a Douglas Fir timber frame, and cladding the exterior in a dark weatherboard. The structure is book-ended by two gable walls in a black brick to reference the tar sealed Windmill tower.

Internally, the main space features the exposed timber frame and full height sliding doors opening onto a decked external terrace overlooking the park. A grain store, kitchen, administration, cycle parking and WC’s are also provided.

Squire and Partners proposal gives Lambeth Council and Friends of Windmill Gardens a flexible, cost effective and self-sustaining facility which will serve the local community and support the future use of the Brixton Windmill and Windmill Gardens.

Work is expected to start on site May 2017 and complete late summer.


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