The only major intervention to the building’s exterior was the removal of several wall sections on the ground floor to create a semi-outdoor public space seamlessly connected with the public plaza outside. This bold gesture also revealed the pyramidical bottom part of the concrete grain bins which now function as a sculptural canopy.

Extending four storeys in height, the grain silos have been turned into a sui generis art space consisting of a series of interconnected bunker-like rooms. Accessible via steel grating walkways, the ambiently lit space is suitable for art shows as much as meditation sessions. On the fifth floor, the double-height space, the only one with windows, now serves as a multipurpose hall hosting theatre plays, lectures, concerts and social events, while with the addition of a concrete and steel pavilion, the rooftop is now home to an outdoor bar enjoying panoramic views of the mills, the river and the city.

Underpinned by a muted palette of grey, white and metallic tones, the interior modifications are thoughtfully restrained, with colour confined to the red brick facades. The materials used in the new additions seamlessly blend in with the original building fabric, seen in the use of exposed concrete for the new floors and structures, galvanized steel for the staircases, railings and doors, and white tiles for the bathrooms.

The renewed interiors convey a sense of cool sophistication thanks to the dynamic interplay between the fine detailing of the additions and the weathered state of the original concrete surfaces which have been intentionally left intact including various drill holes and scars left by the demolished partition walls. The resulting tapestry of textures evocatively ushers in a new era, fusing the past with the present, celebrating the century-old building’s timely rebirth.