Kinship Brewing Company

INVISION Architecture

Recognitions: AIA Iowa 2022 Design Award

Project Description

A gathering place to build relationships rooted in community, beer, dogs, art, and biking was the mission of the owner. The 13,000 square foot facility houses a tasting room, private dining, and beer production for the new brewing company. Envisioned as one phase of a multi-phase plan, the organizational strategy uses minimal insertions to allow future expansion of brewing operations. Inserted forms clad in acoustic materials organize the tasting room around beer consumption, viewing games, and displaying brand. Transparency between the production and tasting room allows the making of the product to be featured throughout the facility while thin ribbon windows on the north and south elevations provide daylight while controlling views to and from the facility. The building form extends to form the edge of the patio and pulls away to frame connections in a meaningful way between site, patio, and interior space. The form is grounded on a 300-foot-long art wall which acts as an organizing spine and an evolving canvas; drawing bikers who enter from the adjacent path in, anchoring the building mass, and shielding the service yard from view. Selected for its rot and insect resistant nature, renewability and long-lifespan, charred wood siding wraps the building envelope and provides a low maintenance building for the client transitioning from home brewer to first time building owner. Simple materials complimenting the charred wood siding allow the architecture to showcase custom artwork throughout the facility. Detention ponds located near the art wall reflect the art and architecture while managing stormwater runoff for the site. A simple, iconic form that focused on creating meaningful connections and memory of place was instrumental in the launching of a new brand.