Blacks of Kinsale, Brewery and Distillery

Commogue, Kinsale

The main opportunities and constraints for the site were identified during the early analysis stages of the design process and informed the development of a site strategy for the overall site. We developed a site strategy that allowed for maximisation of build area within a new piece of public realm, organised around a hierarchical, logical framework, integrated with the local town planning vision. The site strategy seeks to create streets, squares and gardens which are defined by a series of building blocks, forming sheltered courtyard spaces each with their own individual characteristics. A Linear Strip Park is formed along interface to public road, to provide both amenity to public and create a flood defence.

The conceptual approach is to re-imagine the existing structure, as a piece of a larger constructed landscape, where building and landscape are in harmony.  It is proposed in Phase 2 to place a new thin ‘Events & Office Pavilion’ along the frontage of the existing structure. The ‘Events & Office Pavilion’ will contain the visitor spaces such as shop and events space along with the office accommodation required to support the facility.

The visitor spaces have been designed to visually connect with both the Bandon River and the ‘Production Hall’, so the story of the product can be told in context of the wider landscape of west Cork.   The accommodation in the ‘Events & Office Pavilion’ is raised up level with the top of the swale, approx. 1metre above the level of the public road.

The existing structure is retained in the main as the ‘Production Hall’ with substandard extensions demolished. It is the intention to retain the existing exposed steel structure as a piece of industrial heritage. The existing cladding will be replaced with new more appropriate high-performance cladding. The third element of the proposal, is the Storage Hall. This structure is set at 90 degrees to the existing building and matches its height and proportions.