Light Mill

Bunbury, Western Australia

Bread is the basic unit of food, and if we imagine a cost of living and food shortage crisis in the future, self sufficiency and local production become powerful strategies. The gristmill inherits Bunbury’s history of industry, and the town hall layers it with a collectivism and community spirit. Programatically, the space is both highly functional and purposeful, facilitating the full production of flour from grain, but also leisurely, as a public hall to occupy without specific purpose. 

 The architecture of the mill evokes forms of lighthouses and water wells. The former referencing the town’s maritime character and history, and the latter a reimagination of the town well that was sited at the base of Boulter Heights. The light shaft of the hall’s stage directs light inwards, inverting the light house typology. Exchange is focussed locally, within a building that becomes a natural gathering space to share ideas, resources and time. 

Projected sea level rises show that Bunbury will experience sea level rises of 150 - 300mm by 2050. Along with this the town is also expected to double in population to 200 000 people by the same year. The city is in a paradox, of growth and retreat.