In good spirits
The Macallan distillery and visitors experience in north Scotland by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. The rippling roof is set into the sloping landscape and is covered in native fauna.
The Macallan distillery in Scotland. Inside, natural stone and timber are used to create an atmosphere for the visitor that embodies the spirit of the surrounding countryside and the story of the highly sought after whisky.
The Macallan distillery in Scotland. The architects wanted to create something that reflected the production process of this whisky, which dates back to 1824, but was still sensitive to the surrounding landscape.
Cardrona distillery and musuem in the Cardrona Valley, New Zealand by Condon Scott Architects. This project is one of the southernmost distilleries in the world and the building was designed to blend with, but sit strongly, in its place.
Cardrona distillery in the Cardrona Valley, New Zealand. The design comprises three buildings of simple form placed around a central courtyard, each housing a distinct part of the spirit-making process.
Terraza Destilería in Mexico by 1540 Arquitectura. The architects added a terrace and underground cellar to this tequila distillery and designed spaces that are perfect for social gatherings.
Terraza Destilería in Mexico by 1540 Arquitectura. The cellar is used for quieter samplings while the outdoor patio space can be used for rowdier parties.
Terraza Destilería in Mexico by 1540 Arquitectura. The timber and steel for the patio covering and the laja stone used to clad the walls directly reflect the materials used in the tequila ageing process.
Bombay Sapphire distillery in England by Heatherwick Studio. The two flowing glass forms are functional greenhouses and are heated using warm air that is created during the gin distilling process.
Bombay Sapphire distillery in England by Heatherwick Studio. Growing inside the greenhouses are the 10 botanicals used in the Bombay Sapphire recipe.
Bombay Sapphire distillery in England by Heatherwick Studio. The studio created a masterplan for the entire distilling plant which took over a former paper-mill and contained more than 40 derelict buildings.
Javorník distillery in the Czech Republic by ADR studio. The architects added this facility to an existing farm which features a striking, black spiral staircase and small square windows.
Javorník distillery in the Czech Republic by ADR studio. The newly built distillery blends easily with the renovated farm buildings that it shares a site with.
Javorník distillery in the Czech Republic by ADR studio. A modern aesthetic with a traditional nod plays out in the contrasting black and white palette and choosing of materials.
Peregrine winery in Otago, New Zealand by Architecture Workshop. The architect describes the roof, now iconic to the Peregrine brand, as “both pragmatic and symbolic”.
Peregrine winery in Otago, New Zealand by Architecture Workshop. A concrete entrance ramp leads you down to where the wine-making takes place and the roof provides and extra weather-proofing measure.
Peregrine winery in Otago, New Zealand by Architecture Workshop. The roof is inspired by a bird in flight and reflects the majesty of the peregrine – or native hawk – as it takes off.
Brandy distillery, museum and warehouse for Alliance-1892 in Russia by TOTEMENT/PAPER. The architects brief was to create a warehouse for the storage of brandy barrels and a space for public functions.
Brandy distillery, museum and warehouse for Alliance-1892 in Russia by TOTEMENT/PAPER. The design utilises opposites: a low, wooden building and a high, reaching metal form.
Brandy distillery, museum and warehouse for Alliance-1892 in Russia by TOTEMENT/PAPER. The architects say the resulting project is an “extremely symbolic architectural ensemble”.
Fukuchiyo sake brewery in Japan by yHa architects. Architects converted a disused sake brewery into a tasting and exhibition space by adding a steel cuboid, interior walls and a mezzanine level.
Fukuchiyo sake brewery in Japan by yHa architects. The building is of historical significance to its prefecture, so the exterior could not be altered. Instead, the interior was renovated.
Fukuchiyo sake brewery in Japan by yHa architects. A black steel cuboid forms a bridge over a stream and the entrance to the building.
Emerson’s Taproom in Dunedin, New Zealand by Beca Architects and Ignite. Several distinct gables form the roof of this building for one of the founding fathers of New Zealand craft beer.
Emerson’s Taproom in Dunedin, New Zealand by Beca Architects and Ignite. The interior is designed with an earthy palette and references the 1950’s railway era.
Emerson’s Taproom in Dunedin, New Zealand by Beca Architects and Ignite. The building houses a restaurant and bar, brewing and bottling facilities and Emerson’s head offices.
Four Pillars distillery in Australia by Matthews McDonald Architects. This tasting room and distillery is for a beloved Melbourne gin and is located in the scenic Yarra Valley.
Four Pillars distillery in Australia by Matthews McDonald Architects. The building reflects the gin’s hip brand with black-stained timber walls and almost nautical-like port holes that peek into the distilling room.
Martin’s Lane winery in Canada by Olson Kundig Architects. The building’s design slopes down the site’s hill that allows the makers to utilise gravity-flow wine-making methods.
Martin’s Lane winery in Canada by Olson Kundig Architects. Large windows are used to offer views of the surrounding landscape and draw in fresh air.
Martin’s Lane winery in Canada by Olson Kundig Architects. A black spiral staircase mimics the stainless steel filtering equipment used in winemaking.
Brothers Brewery and Juke Joint in Auckland, New Zealand by MA Studio. Black steel beams and exposed brick compliment the industrial framework of this brewery.
Brothers Brewery and Juke Joint in Auckland, New Zealand by MA Studio. The brewing facilities and bar are at the centre of the large warehouse space which breaks it up into more manageable zones.
Brothers Brewery and Juke Joint in Auckland, New Zealand by MA Studio. The courtyard is the shining star of this project, inviting customers in with warm timber and whitewashed stone steps.
Although any building that produces alcohol is worth talking about, we've rounded up 12 examples of distillery architecture that stand out from the crowd.
From a traditional, stone-clad form deep in New Zealand's South Island to the northern edge of Scotland where a distillery roof creates a rolling hillside, it would seem that buildings dedicated to the manufacturing of wine, beer and spirits come in all shapes and sizes and in almost every country around the world.
