Brewery Manufaktūra

The concept of this project is driven by the architects’ aspiration to highlight the long life of this unpretentious building and the various transformations it has undergone in the past. The result highlights the diversity of historical building approaches and techniques, and adds a contemporary layer that adapts the building to a new function. The aesthetic of the building is conceived as a manifestation of sustainability and reuse.
The building is located in an area that was historically dedicated to industry, but is now gradually becoming an open neighbourhood centre with retail, commercial and cultural activities. As part of the process, it was important to open up the area and integrate it into the surrounding urban environment by removing the fence along Mārkalnes Street and creating an inviting landscape design. The plants chosen for the landscaping are visually similar to cereal grass, which is reminiscent of beer ingredients. Both the facades and the landscaping are respectful of the character of the area and the surrounding buildings; they are designed with the intention of preserving and enhancing it. The aesthetic of this reconstruction helps to establish a positive relationship with the past and the identity of the site, and it enhances the value of the heritage of industrial architecture, which does not have the status of a historical monument.

The functional layout is designed to preserve and adapt the existing spatial structure as much as possible. The bar is located in the double-height part of the building, where a platform is also built on the second floor with an exit to the roof terrace. Part of the terrace continues on a new concrete structure that forms a canopy over the entrance. In the brewery rooms and in the entrance area of the bar, the upper floor has been removed, leaving only its supporting structure - wooden beams. As a result of these changes, the building has become "transparent", creating new perspectives that visually link the spaces of different functions on different levels. The second floor is used for administration and public events such as beer tastings.
Sustainability is an important leitmotif with various manifestations. The building, its spatial layout and its visual aspect is preserved as much as possible, thus becoming the messenger of a new value paradigm. Equally important is the reduction of the ecological footprint, which is achieved in a number of ways, including the adaptation of the existing volumes to a new function, the use of second-hand furniture and the design of new furniture using reclaimed materials. Finally, the new structures are designed in materials that are inherently durable and do not require additional finishes for practical or aesthetic reasons.