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Tennents T off Wellpark Brewery expansion and re-clad

Tennents T off Wellpark Brewery expansion and re-clad

December 8 2016

Tennents Caledonian Breweries have outlined plans to give their Duke Street headquarters an overhaul in the form of a roof extension, re-clad and internal alterations to improve visitor facilities and bring the historic brewery into the 21st century.

The expanded premises will be used to showcase archive materials currently in storage as part of a public display chronicling the history of the company as well as new events spaces.

ZM Architecture have been commissioned to oversee the transformation, centerpiece of which will be ‘The Tennent’s Story’ – an interactive exhibit of artifacts, videos and digital technology developed by The Creative Cell and Glasgow School of Art’s digital design team.

A second phase of work will see the existing premises extended and re-skinned using perforated anodized or bronzed aluminium mesh panels to give the ‘illusion of a veil set off from the solidity of the concrete frame’.

In a statement ZM said: “This second phase would define a new vision, a new venue and a fitting conclusion to the tours and a 'Statement of Pride' in the business. The gold mesh is a reference to the golden hue of the beer and Tennent’s own livery.”

First phase works including the visitor centre and improvements to the current tour experience are scheduled to complete next summer.

A metallic veil will mask the concrete frontage of the plant

Public realm enhancements will improve the breweries interface with the street

7 Comments

#1 Posted by Partick Bateman on 8 Dec 2016 at 15:33 PM

Looks like they've disguised it as the BBC building.

#2 Posted by YouCannotSwear on 8 Dec 2016 at 15:50 PM

I enjoy the correlation to the colour of their beer.

#3 Posted by Patrick Bateman on 8 Dec 2016 at 15:55 PM

ZM's early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole design has a clear, crisp look, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to JM, but I think Zaha has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humour.