BRASSERIE DE LA SENNE
New production site for the Brasserie de la Senne in Tour & Taxis, Brussels.
Rare occasion to design from scratch a brand-new facility for an established brewery.
Four main types of use were extracted from the original program: production, stock, logistics area and administration/public spaces. They originated the principles of the architectural scheme, composed of 4 main halls placed along the parcel.
The existing brewery was mostly self build by their two co-founders. An existing warehouse was customized with successive layers added on top of, next to or replacing one another. Such an approach to space was part of the spirit of the brewery, but also a necessity for any production site: to evolve and adapt according to changing needs, changing situations.
Combined with the rigorous 4-halls-diagram, we designed a structural frame that would allow many adaptations while keeping the identity of the building: thick serial concrete beams and columns grid that can be easily opened or closed and that can also support an intermediary storey. In contrast, the roof is made of plain structural wood allowing a beamless structure.
Part of the brief from the brewery was to create a facility that would be easy to use and easy to exhibit. Getting a production building closer from the city centre and opened to the public was also strongly supported by the municipality and region of Brussels.
As a result, the production hall is widely visible from the street. Once inside, any visitor will be able to walk along the production tanks, following the chronological order of the brewing process.
The Tap room is the main gathering space for the visitors. With a direct view over the brew house and the fermentation tanks, it is also widely opened to the 5th hall: a playground, fruit tree and vegetable garden.
Design proposal and development by the founding members of Générale as partners of l'Escaut architectures.
