Project Description
Archetype Distillery is a specialty experience highlighting “original” style Gin and Vodka. The renovated 1917 Webber Theater, located in Denver’s Baker Neighborhood, provides visitors with insights into historical and contemporary distilling techniques by experiencing the distilling process and authentic equipment. The space is designed to be more than a bar, offering the neighborhood a community destination for socialization and entertainment, much like its historical beginnings as a theater. The distilling area uses the space’s full 2-story volume to highlight the process, while added skylights provide natural light to the area. Bars on both floors offer full spectrum LED lighting, while the tasting room showcases a bubble wall representative of the fermentation process. The upper floor is programed for private events; featuring its own bar, catering kitchen, and seating for over 200 in banquet or lecture style seating. The distilling area and lobby can be viewed from above offering multiple connections between floors. It is a flexible space that can handle private events while still operating as a distillery and tasting room, maintaining a feeling of openness throughout. The space delivers classic industrial sensibilities with elegant modern design elements. The Design Team strived to evoke an emotional connection between patrons and the distilling process through materials. Implementing the design concept of “Elegant Industrial” by using steel, concrete, and brick alongside natural materials, rich textures and simple profiles that add the elegance. Pre-construction input on cost and constructability by the contractor gave the design team the information needed to obtain design intent and aesthetic goals for the Owner. The design decision to expose all systems meant that additional collaboration was needed between all trades. For example, flanges of beams were cut to allow for duct work to pass through at desired locations. Preserving the character of the building’s brick and structure that pays homage to the past while designing for the future was a high priority. Contrasting the new space with existing features is predominantly achieved by bookending the space between exposed brick walls on the North and South sides. Original trusses unify the space and are supported by new paired columns strategically placed and detailed to be less obtrusive spanning both floors to support new roof load requirements. The “Elegant Industrial” of Archetype is the realization of the design team’s vision as Archetype Distillery pays homage to the past while being designed for the future offering the neighborhood a new place to congregate.