The distillery project is an impressive transformation of an old, dilapidated factory into contemporary offices and homes. This award-winning initiative has garnered significant attention and acclaim for its innovative approach, commitment to climate action, and high architectural standards.
Large-scale transformation
This large-scale transformation emphasises recycling, offering substantial benefits for climate change mitigation, resource conservation, and reduced construction waste. The process of carefully turning, twisting, and extending each brick is intricate and demands a high level of design expertise. The new buildings must meet modern standards for daylight, acoustics, and ventilation while preserving the existing architecture. To achieve this, we collaborated closely with clients, designers, conservation specialists, suppliers, and sustainability experts.
We prioritised preserving as much of the existing structure as possible, exceeding the requirements of cultural and historical classifications. All existing facades have been retained, and the cast iron windows have been restored. Moreover, more than half of the bricks used for the extensions were salvaged from the site. In a quality-assured process, these bricks were meticulously dismantled, cleaned, and inspected before being incorporated into the new construction. Overall, 200,000 bricks were recovered and reused from the site.
Designing with Circularity in Mind
Circular design is the future. By preserving as much of the existing building as possible and using recycled materials in the extensions, we honour the project's rich history. The design of the new sections not only highlights the original structures but also creates opportunities for reuse.
Large-scale reuse involves more than just utilising materials on site; it requires a deep understanding of design principles tailored to the specifics of the transformation. This approach ensures a cohesive and feasible project.
The existing buildings have heavily influenced the design of the new additions. Most of the extensions are clad in brick, inspired by the intricate brickwork of early 20th-century buildings. The details incorporate cast iron, wrought iron, and corten steel. We focused on creating an architectural design that unifies the buildings, varying in scale and height, to create vibrancy in the block and enhance scenic views. The inner courtyard and spaces between the buildings serve as new social gathering places. Additionally, all buildings feature entrances from both the street and the courtyard, facilitating movement in and out of the block.
The apartments range from one to four rooms, with one notable exception: a spacious 160-square-meter apartment located at the top of the office building, featuring windows on three sides and breathtaking views. The site also includes three townhouses, providing homes suitable for both individuals and large families.
Awards and Recognition
The project, known as Spritfabriken, has been recognised with several awards, including the Facade of the Year 2025 in the renovation/restoration category from Mur & Putsföretagen. It also received the Best Renovation of the Year 2025 award from Sveriges Allmännytta and was a finalist for the Residential Project of the Year 2025 by Hemnet.
