# Recovered Windmill Homes Beech Architects Turned a Derelict Windmill Into a Guest House By Joey Haar | Published 2017-08-29 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beech-architects References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2017/08/29/beech-architects-zinc-pod-derelict-windmill-suffolk-riba-regional-awards-2017/) & [beecharchitects](http://www.beecharchitects.com/home) Rather than tearing down a 125-year-old windmill on their property, a family in Suffolk, England, turned to Beech Architects to repurpose the historic structure into something more practical for their current needs. The studio turned the derelict windmill column into a guest house that offers its occupants stunning views of the [surrounding farmland](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-place-in-the-country). The windmill was originally built in 1891, and it served as a source of natural energy for the previous landowners for decades. However, it lost its cap and sails dozens of years ago, and it has stood as a hollow cylinder since then. The guest house concept is a clever way to save the historic structure and turn it into something attractive and useful. Naturally, Beech Architects opted to forgo the sails, but it reinstalled a cap that serves as the main room of the guest house. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Adaptive Reuse:** Recovering and repurposing historic structures like windmills presents opportunities for architects and developers to create unique and functional spaces. - **Sustainable Architecture:** Transforming derelict structures into eco-friendly guest houses showcases the potential for sustainable building practices and renewable energy usage. - **Heritage Tourism:** By converting historic windmills into guest accommodations, there is a rising trend in offering tourists a chance to experience heritage and history in a unique way. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** Architects specializing in adaptive reuse have the opportunity to revive historic structures and create innovative living spaces. - **Real Estate:** Developers can tap into the trend of repurposing windmills and other heritage structures to meet the demand for unique and sustainable housing options. - **Tourism:** The development of windmill guest houses contributes to the growing industry of heritage and eco-tourism, providing travelers with immersive and sustainable lodging choices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Old Mill-Transformed Modern Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-house-with-old-mill.md) - [Turbine-Based Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blademade-1.md) - [Heritage-Themed Family Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mill-house.md) - [Historic Mill-Transformed Vineyards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wine-storehouse.md) - [Sustainable Country Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/three-oaks-farm.md) - [Transformed Farm Accessible Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/old-rectory-farm.md) - [Modern Interpreted English Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eight-gables.md) - [Historic Farmhouse Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joe-burns.md) - [Renovated Rural Farmhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-place-in-the-country.md)