High Mill at Verdant Works is awarded by Dundee Civic Trust

Published

25th September 2017

High Mill, part of the popular visitor attraction Verdant Works, has been awarded by Dundee Civic Trust for the architecture and construction work that took it from a dilapidated building to a museum and city venue.

High Mill at Verdant Works, now an important social history museum in Dundee, won an award and several commendations. The accolades were presented at the Dundee Civic Trust Awards at Dundee City Chambers on Thursday evening.

High Mill was converted after being on the point of collapse. James F. Stephen Architects and George Martin Builders worked on the project, which reopened to the public in 2015.

Owned by Dundee Heritage Trust, which also operates RRS Discovery, the Trust opened Verdant Works - with the public's help - in September 1996 and completed the second phase a year later. Late 2015 saw the opening of High Mill, the oldest part of the building and a stunning space which is currently hosting the Great Tapestry of Scotland. Many of the items in the museum are donated by residents of Dundee, who consider it the home of the jute industry in Scotland.

Welcoming the award, Doug Reid, partner with James F. Stephen Architects, said:

"After working with the Trust for more than ten years to try to find a sustainable and viable new use for the High Mill and having sadly watched it deteriorate almost to the point of self-collapse, it is exceptionally satisfying to see how this unique and innovative space within one of the city's Category A Listed Buildings is being successfully used not only for museum purposes but also for a wide and diverse range of artistic and cultural events. The end result is an exemplar conservation project achieved through the enthusiastic and successful collaboration of the entire project team which will hopefully be enjoyed by both the local community and visitors to Dundee for many years to come."

David Maxwell, owner of George Martin Builders in Dundee, said:

"Verdant works was reclaimed from a severely dilapidated mill into a functional varying use building. It was completed to the high standard shown due to the communication of all parties and a focus on a common goal. The client and design team embarked on the project with clear objectives to provide this multi-purpose much needed facility for the city. It was a pleasure to be involved."

Gill Poulter, Heritage and Exhibitions Director at Dundee Heritage Trust, said:

"I am delighted that the High Mill Project at Verdant Works has received this recognition from Dundee Civic Trust. It was an ambitious and innovative scheme that transformed a derelict and dangerous building into stunning new galleries and learning spaces and gave us the facilities to host lots of new activities and events, including the current exhibition of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

"Dundee Heritage Trust is a small charity and couldn't have achieved this amazing result without the support of our staff, volunteers, the professional team and contractors and all of our funders."

For more information visit www.verdantworks.com

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