An Old Mill Transformed Into Sleek Showroom Distillery

Architizer News

An Old Mill Transformed Into Sleek Showroom Distillery

July 19, 2012

Gone are the days when liquor was made in bathtubs or random vats. So, too, the days when people were simply happy to take a drink, never mind where it came from. Now, we want to visit the distilleries, to see how our favorite drinks are made. And the distilleries are happy to oblige, constructing new showrooms to showcase their wares for visitors.

One recent example comes from Germany, where architect Philipp Mainzer directed the restoration of an old mill in Eigeltingen, near the shores of Lake Constance. Built for Stählemühle, a purveyor of award-winning high-quality spirits, the restoration features three main programmatic components: the actual distillery, a showroom, and various tasting areas. Perhaps the most striking feature of the project is the materiality of the spaces. Raw concrete was used for the walls while bare asphalt was used for the floors, their (tastefully) rugged features contrasting with the highly refined equipment and polished bottles on display. The spirits are kept in large rounded jars, which act as lenses to magnify the texture of the walls behind. Sleek wood furnishings complete the scene of material refinement. Click through for more.