RTV Drenthe | 23 June 2024
The renovation and sustainability enhancement of one of the largest mills in Drenthe is almost complete. Since 2016, Stichting Het Drentse Landschap has been the owner of the oil and grain mill Woldzigt. They have restored the miller's house in the right wing.
According to the facade stone, the mill was founded in 1852 by Aukema and Datema. The mill was in use for almost a hundred years. After the war, the mill became vacant and fell into disrepair. Thanks to the renovation, the building can withstand the test of time once again.
In the cellar
"We are standing here in the part of the mill known as the crusher. Below are four large cellars," says Jermo Tappel of the foundation. "They were built when the mill was constructed. The linseed oil produced by the mill was stored there. Next to me are four old pumps that were used to pump the oil up from the cellar. It is a very old system."
Original millstones
Linseed oil is extracted from the seed of the flax plant, linseed. The oil is pressed or 'beaten' out of the seeds. The seed is first broken and then ground under enormous edge stones, millstones that grind on their edge. It is then heated on 'the fireplace' and then comes into the press where the oil is beaten out of the ground seed using a kind of pile driver. All parts are still in their original state.
Future-proof
A little further in the room, modern times can be found. "This is a kind of refrigerator, a pump but then an air heat pump," Tappel shows. "It produces the heat for the house, on electricity. So the house is off the gas." A new technique has also been applied in the living room. "These are windows with vacuum glass, which is extremely highly insulating."
Color palette
"The living room of the house is small but has a lot of character thanks to the new colors. We did not choose them just like that," says Tappel. "They resulted from color historical research. These colors were found to be historically present, under the other layers of paint. The box bed has changed from white to a beautiful red color with a green interior."
Up in the attic
"The upper floor of the house was once an attic. We have made bedrooms there. By installing the ceiling very high, you get a spatial effect, bringing the beams of the roof structure beautifully into the light. On the side, you can see how thick the walls of the house are due to the thick insulation layer that has been applied. Once the renovation is complete, the house can be rented out. It is then sustainable, off the gas, and ready for the future."
Source: RTV Drenthe
Date: June 23, 2024
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