Google Flour Mills, Bolands Mill
The Flour Mills protected structure is the first building to be completed in the Bolands Mills Campus. It showcases meticulous retrofitting with inclusivity as its central focus.
Promoting accessibility for individuals from diverse locations and teams, this renovation signifies the remarkable transformation of the historic Boland's Mill, a 150-year-old landmark, into a cutting-edge collaboration hub for Google. The Flour Mills is an unusual building, comprising 2,224m² which essentially serves as five distinct buildings in one. This results in a patchwork of various floors, featuring an unusual blend of both enclosed and open, double-height areas. With a strong emphasis on honoring its historical significance, its surroundings, and the local culture, the renovation project involved the addition of two new mezzanines, the installation of three new staircases, and the creation of a multitude of flexible workspaces.
The design team recognised significant potential offered by the double height spaces within the mill and acknowledged the complexity and limitations posed by the existing structure.
The unique layout of the building naturally facilitated a variety of work-points which are distributed across five floors. Different zones are dedicated to innovative functions such as reimagined "team pods" and "sprint spaces" designed for activities like offsite meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions. Additionally, more conventional meeting rooms and phone booths are strategically placed throughout the space to support these new work configurations.
The two new mezzanines at Levels 1 and 3 addressed the need for additional usable floor area. The addition of these mezzanines increased the available floor space as well as creating new vantage points that allowed for unique perspectives and connections between different floor levels while also adding functionality and aesthetic value to the project. The Flour Mills has achieved LEED V4 Platinum Interior Design and Construction Platinum certification.
