Commercial Works – Member Showcase

D4 Designs

Doug Paton

Northbridge Brewery, Perth WA:

State - Winner Best Public Building 2015 National - Best Commercial Design over $2mil 2015 National - Best Industrial Design 2015 Overall - Building Design of the Year 2015

The Northbridge Brewing Company space is designed for the people of Northbridge, as a meeting place, a multipurpose events venue and a central community hub in the heart of Northbridge.

Foremost, the design intent was to activate the northern end of the Northbridge Piazza, as seamlessly as possible. The venue rests on the doorstep of the piazza with an alfresco dining area buffering the piazza open space and the internal space of NBC.

A working microbrewery, showcased within two feature glass boxes, is a proud display of the offerings inside. Patrons enter the venue from Lake Street, by physically walking through the microbrewery and its honest mechanics. There is no fake façade or faux brewing kettles, what is poured from the beer font is brewed only meters away.

Visually, the aesthetics of the venue responds respectfully to the site, by taking cues from its industrial history, within in a contemporary form. A balance of industrial materials such as glass, steel, concrete and aged bricks, provide an unpretentious backdrop to form a relaxed and welcoming space.

The NBC is designed as a venue for all people within Northbridge. Timeless, classic materials engage mature patrons, modern twists invite younger professional clientele, and the visual working brewery create intrigue to welcome the family members.

The Whitfords Brewing Company design intent was to portray the feel, look and texture demonstrated by traditional craftsmanship of years gone by. The organically restored warehouse feel was a considered aesthetic, to evoke a non-pretentious ambience to assist patrons feel relaxed enough to stay and submerse themselves in the environment.

Traditional materials, of glass, timber, brick, steel, and concrete were incorporated together with classic ‘bentwood’ chairs, leather seats with selected traditional stitching methods. All marketing, fonts and logo embody the early century ‘industrial’ theme.

Designed by Douglas Paton of d4 residential and commercial design, using San Selmo ‘reclaimed’ solids and 10mm slip tiles from Brickworks. All brickwork, including traditionally formworked brick-arches were hand crafted by the team at Utopia Industries.

All Brewery mechanics are on full show, for all patrons to see and experience from ‘tank to tap’ in a real working brewery.