Millennium Mills: Exploring Retrofit Futures in the Royal Docks

Once part of London’s industrial and maritime heritage, Millennium Mills has long stood as a prominent presence in the Royal Docks, reflecting both its significance and years of decline and uncertainty. This event uses the building as a lens to explore how complex post-industrial sites can be reimagined for contemporary needs, future resilience and new forms of belonging in the city.

The discussion will bring together voices connected to the site and its future, including perspectives from the GLA Royal Docks Team, Lendlease, the University of East London, the Royal Docks Sustainability Research Institute and AKTII engineers, alongside ongoing related research, teaching and design work. Together, the panel will reflect on shifting narratives of the site: from industrial past, through decades of vacancy and speculation, to its emerging role as a testing ground for retrofit thinking, material innovation and sustainable urban regeneration.

A small exhibition by UEL’s Master’s in Architecture students, supported by AKTII engineers, exploring retrofit strategies for Millennium Mills will be on display during the event.

Speakers

• Olumide Adebimpe Adelugba
  Architecture student, University of East London
• Matt Davies
  Head of Economic Development, Royal Docks Team
• Eliza Grosvenor
  Chair & Head of Programme, London Festival of Architecture
• Armor Gutierrez Rivas
  Associate, Sustainability Research Institute
• David Watson
  Technical Director, AKT II
  

Admission is free, but advance booking is required.