Islington Mill
Salford
Services
- Vision
- Architecture
- Interiors
- Conservation
Team
- Client: Islington Mill Arts Club
- Contractor: Skyline and Krol Corlett
- Client Strategy: Counterculture
- Cost: Modero
- Structure: DP2
- Services: Watermans
- Fire: BB7
- Conservation: BB Heritage Studio
- Archaeology: University of Salford
- Breeam: RSK
Area
- X sqm
Cost
- £5,000,000
Project Overview
Architectural Emporium have delivered a scheme to reimagine Islington Mill and New Islington Mill (they form an integral arts centre in Salford that is the creative home to many artists). The scheme safeguards the listed assets through essential repairs and upgrades. It also addresses vertical access issues, creates a gallery, making and an event space on the fifth floor which was unoccupied due to the formally porous roof. This primary space is flanked by artist residency spaces. Access is rationalised with a new lift shaft and external staircase, extending the courtyard garden vertically through a series of linked decks.
The existing common spaces such as the staircase, corridors and courtyard within the complex were characterful and helped to unite the different users and visitors, so it was proposed that these were replicated and extended via a sculptural external staircase that unifies the levels and allows internal spaces to spill out. Common spaces have been adopted by the users, personalised and changed. Architecturally the aim is to provide an affordable framework that harnesses the creativity within the development.
The lofty gallery, making and event space was conceived as a giant apartment with a variety of flexible and homely spaces created for different uses. Residency spaces feature compact and flexible interiors for visitors to stay in and create their work.
New Islington Mill was converted into studio, co-work and band rehearsal space. A new external access stair and internal lift improve access with internal spaces fully refurbished. The scheme was constructed within a modest budget and decisions were taken to prioritise safeguarding the building and providing low cost space within the budget to allow residents creative freedom.
The Other City....
Alongside our work at the Mill, we developed a vision for the wider site. We reimagined a small piece of city in central Salford, creating the ‘Other City’. Currently a series of warehouses, it was proposed they are transformed to form artist studios, retail space, bars, restaurants, live/work spaces, a music venue and art gallery. The initial phase inhabits and extends affordable artistic uses within the warehouses utilising Jaaga temporary racking solutions to form adaptable artist studios and a venue with gallery.
The second phase should transform the area from its current utilitarian feel, to a more distinct, open, welcoming environment focused on creativity, enterprise and enjoyment. Proposals include a pedestrianised thoroughfare through the site, which operates on multiple levels. A new high street with small retail units that continue on-site artistic uses and create lost traditional shops focused on making and selling. The shops will sit alongside studios, cafes and bars.
Landscape interventions add a sense of fun to the development and are focused on play. A terrace of tall live-work studios will make use of an existing car park site alongside the mills. The transformation of adjacent sites to include both high quality housing and studio space continues the theme of ‘The Other City’ in new ways that build community and character. Solar panels and wind turbines alongside the railway are to provide sustainable energy for the development, which sustainably reuses and extends existing structures.
