urban agency extends an old mill with a timber tower in dublin's docklands

‘dock mill’ is a project by international architecture firm, urban agency, that takes inspiration from the amazing potential of timber. the proposal envisions the vertical extension of an old industrial mill in dublin’s docklands – a burgeoning area in the irish capital – to create flexible office and residential space.

images courtesy of urban agency architects

urban agency has decided to use sustainably sourced timber due to the numerous environmental advantages it presents when compared to other building materials. timber is lightweight, allowing for ease of transportation, reducing the building’s carbon footprint and enabling off-site prefabrication. moreover, its light and tensile qualities make wood the perfect solution to extend the historical mill, exemplifying the potential to reuse and preserve our national architectural legacy and simultaneously meet the demand to create more space by extending upwards rather than out.

as well as paving the way for a more environmentally-friendly construction, wood also serves as the concept behind dock mill. like a tree, the proposal sinks its roots into the existing structure of the mill while the top of the timber structure grows upward in a network of timber rafters that mimic tree branches. the shape of the contemporary extension also makes reference to the silhouette of the mill’s triangular gable.

the program is split between office space, located in the new timber tower, and apartments, located within the privacy of the existing mill. the design considers the flexible nature of modern lifestyles by creating multi-functional spaces while also maintaining adaptability to changing future functions. and on the top floor level, a winter garden is planned.

in the timber extension, where the offices are planned, the façade is wrapped in a double glass skin, allowing natural light to flood the interiors while proudly exposing the timber structure of the building. inside, the exposed wood also preserves the warmth, texture and scent of woodgrain to create an environment inspired by the japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, meaning ‘forest bathing’. in this way, the architecture benefits from the wood’s natural moisture levels, which sustains healthy air quality, rendering a more breathable building.

if realized, dock mill would become one of the tallest timber buildings in europe, just behind moja tower in norway with 18 floors. the adaptive reuse project aims to showcase the enormous potential of wood while breathing new life into a historical building, setting a new standard for sustainable architecture of the future.