Architecture
In our architectural designs, sustainability is one of the first considerations. Whether it is constructing a new home maximizing the solar exposure or adaptively reusing an old building and its materials, we strive to emphasize long-term occupancy, use of local materials and labor, incorporating green products when feasible, and working with the topography rather than against it.
The Mills Group focuses on residential, commercial, public, and cultural facilities, with an emphasis on traditional design principles and vernacular design influences. The firm designs new structures, which reflect the rich architectural character of the past and use traditional architecture influence, but also specializes in the renovation and adaptive reuse of existing structures, striving to emphasize their cultural, historical, and environmental contexts.
Our guiding philosophy of designs being built on the principles of the past, lead us to the use of precedents to accomplish our client's objectives, while putting forth the best solution for each specific project. Foremost, we develop design solutions, based on a thorough understanding of the client's' needs and a vision for translating goals into reality.
Planning
The Mills Group approaches the planning process of green field and infill sites with the responsibility of being a "Place Maker". Clients entrust us with the task of creating the overarching plan that will foster a rich and engaging environment for people to live, work, and play.
Our planning and design approach relies on careful consideration of the complex interaction of the functional, economic and social needs of our clients, while also providing for the needs of the site's users.
We pride ourselves in doing extensive design due diligence to understanding the existing constraints and opportunities, the historic context, the solar orientation, and transportation and circulation issues.
Our experience with both private developers and public agencies has equipped us with an understanding of the green field and in fill design challenges from both perspectives. We feel that good planning and urban design will significantly enhance the real value of any proposed site development, as well as facilitate compliance with zoning, infrastructure and environmental regulations. We stress urban design concepts that offer a mix of uses, promote a strong sense of community, present an appealing image, and are environmentally responsible.
Preservation
The Mills Group maintains a commitment to the cultural heritage of our region. Through Cultural Resource Management, we complete projects in preservation and interpretation, striving to create awareness of the significant history and culture that is the foundation of who we are and ultimately will become.
The Mills Group has extensive experience in this project type which meet and 
exceed the qualifications set forth by the National Park Service and have worked extensively with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation.
The Mills Group has a staff that is fully qualified and has extensive past experience in performing historical research, assessing and documenting existing conditions, as well as the opportunities and constraints, of historic buildings and sites. The results are compiled into a comprehensive narrative, feasibility study and/or historic structures report, which can then be used by the owner to implement planning for the next phase of use for the building. The Mills Group has also used these findings to produce plans for historic site interpretation.
Preservation
The approach taken on projects of any historical nature is to first and foremost, strive to achieve a balance of the overall "Preservation Objectives" with those of the client's needs for the building’s use. The rehabilitation dogma that the firm uses is aimed at maintaining the building’s original qualities, which convey the historic character, while incorporating provisions for life safety and accessibility requirements, indoor air quality and energy conservation requirements, as well as all of the real-life demands on the building program.
The firm believes that sensitive and responsible preservation and restoration work must be responsive to the category of historical significance of the building. Each building provides a unique set of requirements and conditions; so too, each solution is unique.
It is the team approach that promotes successful stewardship of the built environment and works to overcome the three basic influencing factors to any project; Economic-Social-Physical.
Restoration, Renovation, Rehabilitation
Assessment & Documentation
The documentation and assessment of structures is an essential element for the Mills Group. Historic sites and buildings are the keys to understanding our past. They are tangible history and as such play an important role in our cultural heritage.
We provide conceptual design services that produce alternatives for the building’s reuse, detailing what work will be necessary, its effect on the environment and local and state regulations, as well as an estimation of costs associated with the project. Often as a part of structural documentation, the Mills Group utilizes their research to complete National Register Nominations for significant structures, which opens the door to financial support that will often help fund the next phases of the building’s preservation and restoration.
In surveying historic buildings, the Mills Group not only evaluates its physical condition, i.e. its structural integrity, but also its place in local, state, and national history. We feel that buildings are representative of time and can relate the story of those who have been a part of its planning, construction, maintenance, preservation, and if need be, demolition.
Interpretation
The Mills Group approaches any project that requires interpretation in a manner of maintaining a balance between financial availability, optimizing the visitor experience, and completing the goals and requirements of the client. We have a qualified staff with experience in determining the physical and operational needs of a facility, as well as the methods that best sustain archival collections.
Facility and Maintenance Planning
The Mills Group's staff has developed facility maintenance plans that prescribe the routine work that is necessary to sustain the character of a structure given the historic materials and components within their current environment, an aspect often overlooked. A majority of the deterioration caused in historic structures is many times due to the lack of a sensitive and educated maintenance staff or owner. With the proper facilities maintenance program that utilizes a checks and balances system, small problems do not have to evolve into big or even irreversible problems.