Parallel 49 Brewing Company, keen to embrace the gentrification of its Stumptown neighbourhood, wanted to increase the scope and size of its facilities to enhance its beer tasting room, introduce a restaurant and combine this front-end public space with an active brewery behind the scenes.
Idea
An investigation of steel and industrial materials, the Parallel 49 Brewing Company space embraces its working-class history. The expanded tasting room invites long-time customers to mix with a new clientele of craft beer devotees while sampling a diverse assortment of local brewery offerings.
The challenge here was to reimagine a brewery in a quickly gentrifying neighbourhood capable of welcoming both current and new patrons. Our clients asked for a “tough” space – hence the 14 tons of steel for the wall cladding.”
Clinton Cuddington
Build
The space reflects its tough, working-class roots while infusing new life into the cinder-block envelope. The design incorporates and honours materials found in the traditional docklands landscape: chains and grating as walls, steel, concrete, graffiti, train-depot-style LED display, street graphics, industrial colours and docklands lighting.
Open
Sticking to the timeline for construction was crucial to minimize the time the business was closed. Working within a six-month intense design and construction window, the brewery was fully ready to open for its spring kick-off. The space welcomes its regular and new customers, and showcases its expanded business.
