Located in Torrinha, São Paulo’s countryside, this distillery was designed to optimize cachaça production while respecting the natural characteristics of the site. Developed between 2016 and 2017 and built between 2017 and 2018, the project spans a built area of 1,661 m² on a 130,000 m² site. The first production began in 2019, marking the realization of a project that combines functionality, efficiency, and harmony with its surroundings.

The architectural design was crafted to meet the specific demands of cachaça production, which involves milling, filtering, fermentation, distillation, and storage. The building takes the form of a linear and terraced structure, leveraging gravity to move the liquid through the different stages without pumps, ensuring a continuous and sustainable process.

The main building, 75 meters long and 15 meters wide, adapts to the natural slope of the terrain, with heights ranging from 6.20 meters at the upper end to 11.30 meters at the lower end. This level variation is connected by a large staircase, with landings housing the various production stages. Two courtyards were planned at the ends: one for sugarcane reception and the other for the dispatch of bottled products.
The primary metallic shell structure is supported by two concrete retaining walls that follow the terrain’s slope. Corrugated and perforated metal brises form the facades, allowing natural ventilation and controlled light entry. Inside, independent volumes with concrete and masonry structures house specific production sectors, while external perimetral ramps and pathways ensure operational efficiency.

Team:

Architects: Nitsche Arquitetos

Photographers: Pedro Mascaro, André Scarpa