Platz Associates was selected to design the new home of the Maine Museum of Innovation, Labor and Learning (Maine MILL) within the historic Camden Yard Mill on Beech Street in Lewiston, Maine. The firm developed schematic designs, renderings, and conceptual plans to support fundraising efforts and define the project's vision.

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Maine MILL approached Platz Associates with a mission to celebrate Maine's rich heritage of labor, immigration, textile manufacturing, and shoemaking while serving as a catalyst for innovation and learning. The goal was to create a destination that honors the industries and communities that shaped Maine's past while inspiring future generations.

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The approximately 25,000-square-foot museum blends historic preservation with contemporary design. At the heart of the project is the adaptive reuse of the former Camden Yard Mill, whose restored structure provides an authentic setting for telling the story of Maine's industrial heritage. New architectural elements—including steel, glass, and a perforated Corten steel façade—complement the historic mill and express the museum's forward-looking mission.​

 

Permanent exhibits explore Maine's manufacturing history through immersive and interactive displays. A full-scale loom rising from the first floor through the second story serves as a dramatic centerpiece, connecting visitors to the machinery and craftsmanship that powered Maine's textile industry. A rotating gallery on the second floor showcases the work of contemporary Maine artists. The central atrium serves as the museum's primary gathering space and features significant public art installations. The Bates Mill Symphony No. 5 by Reggie Burrows Hodges, uses five paintings to interpret the history and products of Bates Mill No. 5 and the Bates Manufacturing Company. Suspended above is Mill River Rambler by Charlie Hewitt, a vibrant work inspired by the forms of industrial machinery, works of Marsden Hartley, and Charlie's childhood in Lewiston/Auburn.

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Along the southeast elevation, a backlit perforated Corten steel façade draws inspiration from historic textile patterns, creating a distinctive architectural identity that glows with integrated LED lighting after dark.

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Additional program elements include a design laboratory, learning center, children's gallery, administrative offices, artifact collections and storage spaces, and a memorial room dedicated to the victims of the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting. Designed as a place for reflection and remembrance, the space honors those lost and the resilience of the Lewiston community.​

 

Platz Associates is honored to support Maine MILL's vision of creating a cultural institution that connects Maine's past, present, and future through education, innovation, and community engagement.