All Hands is a new brewery located in Darling Harbour Sydney, focusing on the 'handmade' brewing process. The industrial and expressive aesthetic of a brewery becomes the focus for robust, heavy-duty materials and expressed piping, contrasting with the fine craft detailing, to create an interesting, attractive and approachable space.
The obvious design opportunity to us was to showcase the brewing process, express the making of beer and to galvanise the project as a genuine place of production. Our spatial plan both strengthens the existing advantages of the tenancy but also aims to activate previously problematic and unpopular areas.
All front of house areas were stripped backed to their raw shell. Structural columns, concrete soffits and active primary service lines are honestly expressed and new ceilings are limited.
The new interior architecture is informed by both its broader context and its obvious function. It's impossible to ignore either the rich maritime heritage of this location or the utility of the venue now as a place to brew beer. To this end the design pursues the form and function of a production factory but also contributes to the dialogue of its location with references to maritime influences and shipbuilding techniques.
The bars, for instance, have robust timber wall treatments more akin to planking, using plug fixings that are more associated with traditional boatbuilding techniques. Shelving alludes to the idea of inverted steel vessels similar to brewing tanks whilst other detailing suggests the steel ribbing 'stiffeners' more commonly seen in naval engineering.
2018 AIA NSW AWARDS: Commendation for Interior Design
2018 TIMBER DESIGN AWARDS: Australian Certified Timber Award Winner
2018 EAT DRINK DESIGN AWARDS: Best Bar Design Shortlisted
