Work is underway on the Breathe Architecture designed expansion of the Four Pillars gin distillery in Victoria’s Yarra Valley.
The $6 million project will see a new warehouse built on the adjoining site to the existing industrial space and hospitality venue. Once complete, the addition will double the visitor capacity to more than 200,000 visitors a year.
“The primary concept ideas revolved around function and presence,” the practice said in a statement. “It was about paying close attention to public spaces, without sacrificing the amenity of the building and its industrial purpose.
“We embraced the idea of authenticity through natural materials and ‘portals’ into the industrial areas, whilst celebrating the Yarra Ranges location through a strategic landscape strategy.”
The proposal contains its primary building functions within an efficient warehouse addition, mirroring the architectural type of the current facility, while the addition of the folding copper veil adds intrigue and identity to the distillery, “wrapping the ‘ordinary’ with something ‘extraordinary.’”
The project includes a semi-basement car park, a large loading area and a new bottling area. The primary hospitality functions will be spread out at ground level across the new and existing buildings.
Four Pillars co-founder Cameron Mackenzie said that since re-opening over summer the distillery had been busier than ever.
“When we began making Four Pillars, the Yarra Valley was always intended to be our home and when we found our original site, we couldn’t believe our luck,” he said. “When the opportunity came to buy the land next door, we simply had no choice but to roll the dice and back our Yarra Valley dream to the hilt.”
The expansion is expected to be completed in 2021.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
