The Mill House Theatre, an innovative and sustainable building, serves as a hub of creativity and community engagement. Nestled within the vibrant streets of Newham, London, it embodies a fusion of purpose and aesthetics, symbolizing a commitment to environmental consciousness.
Strategically situated across three floors, the performance space itself adds to the building’s environmental mission statement. Situated at the rear of the building, behind a large glass façade features two hydroelectric generators gracefully capture the flow of the river, harnessing its power to sustain the building’s inner facilities. The generators, visible from the interior, create a water-fall effect, evoking a sense of awe and wonder. The bar area on the first floor offers a stunning view of this magnificent performative relationship between the theatre and the water generators.
As one approaches the entrance, the presence of vans delivering excess stock from nearby charity shops and clothing banks hints at the building’s core purpose. The ground floor across the building acts as the central hub, housing the retail store in the 2012 extension where the upcycled and repaired clothing garments are beautifully displayed. Customers can appreciate the unique and sustainable fashion choices created within the building’s walls. On level two of the building, a workshop space where the shredding process takes place. Here, garments deemed unsuitable for upcycling or repair find new life as raw materials, ready to be transformed into new clothing and costumes for performances.
Ultimately, The Mill House Theatre serves as a beacon of inspiration, forging a connection between the public and the power of water while championing eco-conscious practices. By breathing new life into discarded clothing, it not only provides a retail haven for sustainable fashion but also fosters a sense of environmental responsibility within the community.