Built in 1892, the former Mill Road Library is a Grade II listed landmark in Cambridge. BDH collaborated with the Cambridge Taiwanese Association in their community-led proposal to acquire and revitalise the building as a Taiwanese Cultural and Innovation Centre.

To minimise physical intervention to the historic fabric, BDH proposed a free-standing timber canopy as the architectural symbol of Taiwan — its six structural piers representing food, clothing, living, transportation, education, and entertainment, the six essential aspects of daily life in Taiwanese culture.

The canopy sits gently within the existing space, creating a focal point for exhibitions and performances while preserving the heritage interior. This design strategy strengthened the proposal’s compatibility with Cambridge City Council’s heritage assessment criteria and demonstrated BDH’s sensitive approach to adaptive reuse.