Historic Building Transformation | Mill Extension

For many years, this historic Somerset was home to the internationally recognised artists Caziel and his wife, Catherine Sinclair. Caziel enjoyed an internationally recognised career, working in Paris before settling in Britain. His paintings are held in major public collections. Together, he and Catherine gradually adapted the water mill over many years, creating a unique family home and studio that reflected their creative lives.

When their daughter inherited the property, she wanted to preserve that artistic legacy while creating a home that better suited modern family living. The brief was not to erase the past, but to continue the building’s story with care and sensitivity.

The Challenge

Historic buildings rarely evolve according to a single plan, often hiding unknowns beneath the layers. Over several decades, the water mill had been altered and extended to meet the changing needs of the family. Those changes created a home full of character and personal history, but they also resulted in a layout that had become fragmented and less suited to modern living.

The challenge was to improve the flow of the house, introduce additional living space and strengthen its relationship with the surrounding landscape while respecting both the historic building and the artistic legacy it represented. Every intervention needed twater mill o feel like the next chapter in the building’s evolution rather than a departure from its past.

The Design

Working closely with the owner, O2i Design carefully reconfigured the existing house before introducing a contemporary extension. The new layout improved circulation, increased natural light and created stronger connections between the principal living spaces and the gardens beyond. Rather than imitating the original building, the extension adopted a contemporary architectural language that sits comfortably alongside the historic fabric.

This honest contrast allows each stage of the building’s evolution to remain clearly identifiable. The original water mill, the alterations made by Caziel and Catherine Sinclair, and the new extension each contribute to the property’s continuing story without competing for attention.

The Outcome

The completed project transformed a much-loved historic property into a coherent home for the next generation.

The careful balance between conservation and contemporary architecture attracted national editorial attention, with the project featured in both The Telegraph Magazine and Homes & Antiques.

Today, the water mill continues to evolve as a family home while preserving the character, craftsmanship and artistic heritage that make it such a distinctive place. The project demonstrates that thoughtful contemporary architecture can enhance historic buildings by respecting their history rather than attempting to recreate it.

What We Learned

Every historic building tells a story. Successful conservation begins by understanding that story before deciding how the building should evolve.

This project demonstrated that the best heritage projects do not freeze buildings in time. Instead, they respect what already exists while allowing each generation to contribute thoughtfully to the building’s continuing history.

Water Mill Transformation