The architecture of the brewery is full of contradictions: robust yet fragile, ornate yet industrial. A 19th-century brewhouse with cross-vaulted cellars meets utilitarian post-war additions; walls once covered in copper kettles now bear layers of flaking paint and soot. But beyond the physical decay lies a spatial narrative worth preserving – one that speaks of collective labour, regional rituals, and a culture of making.
In our approach, we treat the existing as a living archive. We map out material qualities, structural conditions, and atmospheres – from the acoustics of the vaulted halls to the patina of brick and tile. At the same time, we delve into the immaterial: the rhythms of
historic brewing cycles, the processions of people and goods, the social role of the brewery in the town’s everyday life. The study outlines possible scenarios for adaptive reuse, ranging from cultural programming to spaces for production, gathering, and education. Each proposal is guided by a careful balance of preservation and intervention: What must remain untouched? What can be adapted? What deserves to be reinvented?
Rather than arriving at a singular solution, the result is a framework for decision-making – one that embraces ambiguity, honours the past, and leaves space for future agency.