BA (Hons) Interior Design - Final Major Project - The Cardiff Brewery - Bethan Rees

THE CARDIFF BREWERY

FEASIBILITY STUDY

Site History The 1880 OS map shows that the land to the south of the Great Western Railway station (now Cardiff Central) was yet to be developed and consisted of the salt marshes and mudflats connected to the River Taff.

The first brewery on the site was built in 1889 and the site purchased

by William Hancock & Co in 1894. Hancock’s developed the site to include the brewhouse and chimney. A date stone at the gable end of the brewhouse reads 1889 in reference to the original brewery.

1880

1920

There is little evidence of any further development on the site until the 1940s when a building on the east side of the site was redeveloped to accommodate the coach and wheel works. In 1954 the brewhouse was extended on the west elevation.

By the mid 1970s there had been a number of changes to the south and south western boundary of the site with the demolition of a number of houses on Crawshay Street and Harpur Street along with some of the brewery buildings within the site.

Brains Brewery took over the Crawshay Street site in 1999 and replaced the lettering on the iconic chimney stack with B R A I N S.

1940-42

1965 Brains moved to a new site in 2018 and the site is now part of the Central Quay development.

1986

1995

Aerial view 2019

Heritage The site is not located within a Conservation Area and, surprisingly, does not contain any designated heritage assets (listed buildings). To the north of the site, on the other side of the railway, is the St Mary Street Conservation Area which contains a number of listed buildings.

There are also a number of listed buildings outside the Conservation Area but still within the city centre and in close proximity to the development site, namely: • • • •

Central Station (Grade II) Water Tower (Grade II) Old Custom House (Grade II) Premises occupied by Jacob’s Antique Market (Grade II)

The brewhouse building is clad in the same stonework as a number of the listed buildings in Cardiff, such as the Great Western Hotel and the rear of the former Prince of Wales Theatre, now a pub of the same name.

Site Analysis The brewery site (red) is bounded by the central railway station and associated buildings (purple) to the north. Across the River Taff to the west are residential properties in Riverside, and to the south there are a small number of houses along Penarth Road but the majority of buildings are businesses. East of the site, past the station car park, is Callaghan Square which is office buildings.

A bat survey has been carried out prior to new development works taking place on the brewery site and has found that the brewhouse building has a high risk of bats roosting compared to the buildings that are to be demolished, so any works to the brewhouse should take accommodations for the bats into account.

Building use Many workers from across South Wales and the South West of England commute in to Cardiff either by road or rail and bus networks.

The site is currently accessed via Crawshay Street which is off Penarth Road, a main trunk road which leads from the city centre towards the link road.

Bat Survey This offers a relatively straightforward route from the M4. Cardiff Central Station with national and local rail services is less than a five minute walk from the brewery, as are the main bus routes. After redevelopment, it is intended that a water taxi stop on the Taff will also be in use.

Main road and rail traffic

Commuter areas

The Building

“The Central Quay development has the opportunity to embrace the waterfront ethos and create a unique river-side destination right in the city centre. By creating an open public space next to the retained Brains Brewery building, the development could start to attract events and activities that will inject a dynamic, constantly changing character into the area. By connecting into existing pedestrian, bicycle and water taxi routes, this space can be connected even further and feed into the residential, business and tourist destinations in the City.” ~ Paul McCarthy, Chief Executive, Rightacres Property Group 2020 The Brains Brewery tower has been a Cardiff landmark for over 100 years. The brewery site is now part of the Central Quay development by Rightacres, and will be the only original building, along witth the iconic tower, to remain on the site.

Central Quay will become home to the new transport hub of Cardiff Central train station and bus station, office buildings and over 1,000 apartments along with retail and dining outlets.

It is intended to be an attractive, walkable destination which will connect the city centre to it’s waterfront heritage via the River Taff.

The best solution and approach to using the building is an extension and internal part-re-build. The building is currently connected to a number of other buildings and extensions that have been added over the years, none of which are in keeping with the age and design of the brewhouse. A glass extension to the eastern elevation will enhance the space and also link the old building with the new development which is proposed to be a number of glass-fronted high rise office and apartment blocks.

I propose that the building is split into two parts, with the north end remaining in use as a brewery and the long south building to be used as a community kitchen and garden with restaurant, bar and office/admin space on the upper floors.

The building currently has a number of gantries in the long building for access above the brewing equipment. These should remain as a key design element allowing visitors to view the gardens from above and giving a unique selling point to the bar and restaurant. The walkways will be supported by the existing steel beams and these will remain exposed to show that they are part of the original building.

There are no site restrictions on use that could negatively effect the proposal as they are in keeping with the redevelopment plans.

This is a large site so splitting the building into two parts and dedicating each floor to a specific use works well; a microbrewery will not require the entire floorspace that a large national brewery would.

The location is ideal for the proposed use as it is easily accessible by foot, road and public transport by bus or train. It is next to the new development’s apartment complex and will provide the residents with the opportunity to use a garden when they don’t have one at home. It will also be available for other Cardiff residents to use and produce from the gardens could be sold at the nearby Riverside Market which will strengthen the link with the existing community on the other side of the river.

Proposed Use The developer, Rightacres, included a concept for the ground floor of the brewhouse building within the masterplan for Central Quay along with concept images. These show a microbrewery on site with a restaurant and outside seating area where the bottling plant currently stands.

The engine house has been removed leaving the tower as a decorative landmark as opposed to a functioning one and a new adjoining three-story building to the east side for a visitor centre.

This is a sensitive approach that appropriately shows the character of the building and also relates back to it’s former use as the largest brewery in Wales. I feel that this concept was a good starting point.

However, the planning application for the brewhouse itself that was submitted in January 2020 is very different to the original concept. The new scheme still looks to retain and restore the original building and chimney, adding a single storey extension to the riverside elevation and a 6-storey glass extension to the rear. The ground floor will be publically accessible with retail spaces connected to the square courtyard and the upper floors and extension for office use. There is no planned microbrewery.

Concept layout 2018 My concern for the site as a whole is that, while they have made allowances for public open spaces, there is very little green space.

The residents on the site will be in apartments and will have no garden, albeit there are roof terraces on each apartment block but these will likely be managed by the block owner and be purely ornamental with places to sit. They will also only be accessible by the residents, and they’ll be up in the sky so back on the ground there will only be the occasional tree surrounded by concrete and glass.

Concept visual 2020

I therefore think it is important that the brewhouse building includes some sort of microbrewery to retain the link to the past use and also an element of a garden for both the local residents and the wider community.

Key Moves The key considerations that I feel are most important in the design and future use of the building are: BREWERY It should be a priority that the heritage of the building as a brewing premises be maintained by having a microbrewery on site. Cardiff has a growing craft beer scene though none of the breweries are in the city centre.

GARDEN As part of their sustainable structure, the building will contain a garden or indoor allotment for use by the tenants and the community.

GREEN ENERGY & ZERO WASTE Where possible, the building should be self sustainable and this applies to energy consumption as well as the food outlets. I propose the use of solar panels and rainwater collection in the building.

The indoor garden should grow produce and plants for use in the food outlets and also for sale.

Riverside Real Food Market is held every Sunday on the Taff Embankment north of the railway station so this would be a good opportunity to link the building and businesses within it with the local community who may feel that any new development is insular and not inclusive.

It would also be a good opportunity for the tenants and businesses to share their gardening or cooking skills, and could be used as an educational service with links to the local schools, colleges and universities.

If it is possible to grow hops then that would be an exceptional selling point for the microbrewery to use home-grown hops in their beer!

Auteuil Greenhouse, Paris

Riverside Real Food Market, Cardiff

Crafty Devil Brewing, Cardiff

CONCEPT

Heritage + Future Cardiff is changing, and the brewhouse will be the last bastion of the old city.

The visual signal of the Brains tower when you arrive at Cardiff Central will be obscured by new buildings.

Change is inevitable, but it is important that shiny, new buildings do not impact negatively on the existing community. The development needs to be for everyone.

Across the river from Central Quay, and actually on site to the south of the brewhouse, are the terraced houses from which Cardiff grew and flourished. The residents of these houses need to feel that the new buildings and new environment are for their benefit as well as for the city as a whole. This can be achieved by treating the building as a community hub, much as the local pub would have been, and also providing garden / allotment space for residents who may not have their own garden.

Sustainable Energy + Materials In order to reduce carbon emissions, the following are proposed: + Solar panels:

the Tesla panels are made of glass but look like roof tiles or slates and so will not detract from the Victorian building + Rainwater collection and hydroponics:

a rainwater filtration system can be used for non-drinking water and to water the plants + Reusing materials:

when removing sections of wall, the removed bricks should be used as part of the remodelling.

Precedents Amazon Spheres, Seattle The Spheres are part of the Amazon campus in downtown Seattle.

The company and architects considered the character of a typical workplace and concluded that something that is typically missing from urban offices - a direct link to nature. The Seattle Spheres can accommodate up to 800 employees at any one time. Walkways snake through the greenery leading to “meeting rooms� and flexible working areas on raised platforms and a cafe on the third floor.

Over 40,000 plants of 400 different species from 30 countries are housed at the Spheres.

The Spheres are for the exclusive use of Amazon employees, save for Understory which is an interactive exhibit beneath the building, but the public can access the gardens as part of a guided tour twice a month.

Precedents Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, Germany Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord is a former coal and iron works that has been transformed into a landscape park and recreation centre. Much of the site has been left for nature to reclaim with some areas used as ornamnetal gardens. The old blast furnace houses a viewing tower, an old gasometer is used as a diving tank and former bunkers and casthouses used as climbing and high ropes centres.

The park is used for food markets and concerts, events are held in the power hall and site tours are available showcasing the area’s industrial heritage.

Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord is an excellent example of a post-industrial site being returned to public use in a green way while also acknowledging the importance of the building to the industrial history of the Ruhr region.

Aesthetic and Spatial Concept Daylight + Sunlight Both parts of the building are very tall and very solid. In order for any natural light to enter the building, openings will need to be created in the walls.

This can be easily done as the building is not listed and the design and build of the walls will allow for windows to be “punched� out without it looking out of context. It is likely that the brewhouse had windows as part of the orignal build before the new buildings were attached.

The sun path diagram (left) shows that the east and south elevations will benefit the most from natural light during the daytime and so these areas will be better suited for the greenhouse location.

Accommodation Schedule Access Main access within the building is via the central staircase and lift.

Emergency stairs are based on either end of the building with a refuge area on each floor.

Public Areas accessible to all visitors.

Includes the downstairs retail area, greenhouses and terraces, first floor bar, second floor restaurant, balconies and the function room

Kitchen Generally accessed by staff but also for supervised classes and activities involving the public

Brewery and store room Accessed only by brewery staff Members Garden room, private greenhouse and private terrace for access by members only, or for those attending a supervised class or event.

Entrances

Main entrance West elevation (facing towards train station).

Entrance is through the greenhouse which creates an atrium to stop draughts inside the building.

Emergency exit via the south steps is also via the greenhouse.

Secondary entrance East elevation.

Again, an entrance through the greenhouse atrium. It is intended that this entrance is closed after a certain time of day for security purposes.

Access to the brewery for deliveries is also on this side of the building.

Aesthetic and Spatial Concept Roof lantern and windows Fully glazing the roof lantern and adding large windows to the long roof will allow much more light into the building Double-height brewery The brewery features a double-height ceiling to allow for the tall brew tanks and containers.

A windowed wall on the first floor allows people in the bar to watch the brewing process.

New-old windows Opening up the archways and old windows where the newer buildings have been removed to allow more light in and create a more inviting space while keeping the look and feel of the original building.

Stairwells and Fire escapes Emergency stairs added to the north and south elevations with refuge areas on each floor. The stairs in the middle of the building lead to the main entrances/exits and can be used in an emergency.

Terraces Terraces on the first floor inside the greenhouse and also above the goods-in area providing an elevated seating position and also shelter for deliveries etc

DRAFT PLANS

Site Plans

Window bottom

Ceiling height 113.77

Beam height 113.54

Window top 113.02 111.32

Window bottom

Window top 112.18

Window top 112.18 110.92 Window bottom

Window bottom

110.92

Beam height 113.54

Ceiling height 113.77

Brewing Container Ceiling 113.58

Hoist equipment

Beam height 113.24

114.33 Floor level 110.68

112.74

Ceiling height 113.92

Window top

Window bottom

Beam height 113.08

Ceiling apex 116.08

Step up 200mm

Ceiling height 113.77

Beam height 113.35

The architects plans show that the building has suffered a number of additions over time, none of which are of the same build as the original brewhouse.

Window top 113.02 111.32

Window top 113.02 111.32

Window bottom

Floor level 110.68

Floor level 110.68

Stairs down

These additions block the majority of the walls to the brewhouse and as such there is no natural light to the majority of the building.

Window top 112.18 110.92

Window top 112.18 110.92

Window top

Window bottom

Window bottom

Window top 113.02

112.18

Window bottom

110.92

Window bottom

111.32

Window top

113.02

Window bottom

111.32 Steps down

Steps up

Lift

Window top 111.84

Window bottom

109.90

Third Floor Floor level 108.04

Inside the main building are visible i-beams holding up the floors with additional structural columns on the ground floor.

Assumed line

Metal container

of room

- no access around

it

Floor Level 107.09 110.55

Steps up

Ceiling height

Door Blocked Floor level 106.45

Steps down

Beam height 109.93

Ceiling height 110.59

Container

Steps up

Steps up

Steps down

Steps up

As the brew tanks are quite tall, some of the floors are just gantries and viewing platforms and do not cover the entire area on each level.

Beam height 109.89

Ceiling height 110.44

Floor level 106.96

Steps down

Floor level 107.94

Metal sheet flooring 110.52 Ceiling height Floor level 106.86

Storage room

Steps down

Office Ceiling height

109.34

Window top 109.08

Window bottom

Window top 108.90

106.86

Window bottom

Window top 109.62 107.60

106.78

Steps up

Window bottom

Steps down

Lift

Window top 108.29 106.49

Window bottom

Second Floor

Access to all floors is by a staircase on the south elevation or the external goods lift on the back of the building. Various entrances are on the newer buildings.

Floor level 101.81

Steps up

Steps up

Steps up

Assumed line

of room

Metal container

- no access around

it

Metal sheet flooring Ceiling height

103.65

106.87

Beam height 105.61

Beam height 106.14

Ceiling height 106.63

Drop down to ground floor Containers

Drop down to ground floor

Steps up

Stairs up

Steps up

Floor level 104.15

Floor level 103.46

Walkway

Beam height 105.66

Beam height 105.66

Stairs down

Containers

Floor level 103.70

Drop down to ground floor

Steps up

Steps down

Lift

First Floor Window top 102.88 Window cill 100.48

Stairs up

Door blocked Beam height 101.97

Ceilng height 102.32

Beam height 101.97

Beam height 101.97

Beam height 101.97

Beam height 101.97

Ceilng height 102.32

Beam height 101.97

Beam height 101.97

Metal column

Steps up Floor level 97.49

Floor level 100.17

Stairs up

Step up

Window top

105.31

Metal pillar

Window cill 100.91

Beam height 102.87

Floor level 99.88

Steps up

Electrics

Metal pillar

Window top 105.31

Beam height 103.23

Beam height 102.10

Beam height 102.10

Beam height 102.10

Beam height 102.10

Beam height 102.28

Beam height 102.28

Floor level 99.96

Beam height 102.28

Beam height 102.28

Celing height 102.74

Beam height 102.28

Beam height 102.28

Beam height 102.28

Stairs up

Floor level 99.95

Window cill 100.91

Shutter Door

Window top

103.32

Window cill 101.03

Stairs up

Stairs up

Stairs down

Lift

Floor level 98.74

Ground Floor

Demolition Plans

Window bottom

Window bottom

Ceiling height 113.77

Beam height 113.54

Window top 113.02 111.32

Window top 112.18

Window top 112.18 110.92 Window bottom

Window bottom

110.92

Ceiling height 113.77

Beam height 113.54

the the will this

Brewing Container Ceiling 113.58

Hoist equipment

Beam height 113.24

114.33 Floor level 110.68

112.74

Ceiling height 113.92

Window top

Window bottom

Beam height 113.08

Ceiling apex 116.08

Step up 200mm

Ceiling height 113.77

Beam height 113.35

Areas coloured red on demolition plans show parts of the building that be removed as part of concept.

Window top 113.02 111.32

Window top 113.02 111.32

Window bottom

Floor level 110.68

Floor level 110.68

Stairs down

Remedial works to the external walls will be required to bring them back to the original build.

Window top 112.18 110.92

Window top 112.18 110.92

Window top

Window bottom

Window bottom

Window top 113.02

112.18

Window bottom

110.92

Window bottom

111.32

Window top

113.02

Window bottom

111.32 Steps down

Steps up

Lift

Window top 111.84

Window bottom

109.90

Third Floor Floor level 108.04

Metal container

of room Assumed line

it - no access around

Floor Level 107.09 110.55 Ceiling height

Steps up

Door Blocked Floor level 106.45

Steps down

Beam height 109.93

Ceiling height 110.59

Container

Steps up

Steps up

Steps down

Steps up

Beam height 109.89

Ceiling height 110.44

Floor level 106.96

Steps down

Floor level 107.94

Metal sheet flooring 110.52 Ceiling height Floor level 106.86

Storage room

Steps down

Office Ceiling height

109.34

Window top 109.08

Window bottom

Window top 108.90

106.86

Window bottom

Window top 109.62 107.60

106.78

Steps up

Window bottom

Steps down

Lift

Window top 108.29 106.49

Window bottom

Second Floor Floor level 101.81

Steps up

Steps up

Steps Steps up up

room Assumed line of

Metal container

- no access around

it

Metal sheet flooring Ceiling height

103.65

106.87

NO FLOOR - VOID DOWN TO GROUND FLOOR

Beam height 105.61

Beam height 106.14

Ceiling height 106.63

Drop down to ground floor Containers

Drop down to ground floor

Steps up

Stairs up

Steps up

Floor level 104.15

Floor level 103.46

Walkway

Beam height 105.66

Beam height 105.66

Stairs down

Containers

Floor level 103.70

Drop down to ground floor

Steps up

Steps down

Lift

First Floor Window top 102.88 Window cill 100.48

Stairs up

Door blocked Beam Beam height height 101.97 101.97

Ceilng height 102.32

Beam Beam height height 101.97 101.97

Beam Beam height height 101.97 101.97

Beam height 101.97

Beam Beam height height 101.97 101.97

Ceilng Ceilng height height 102.32 102.32

Beam Beam height height 101.97 101.97

Beam height 101.97

Metal column

Steps up Floor level 97.49

Floor level 100.17

Stairs up

Step up

Window top

105.31

Metal pillar

Window cill 100.91

Beam height 102.87

Floor level 99.95

Floor level 99.88

Steps up

Electrics Electrics

Metal pillar

Window top 105.31

Beam height 103.23

Beam height 102.10

Beam height 102.10

Beam height 102.10

Beam height 102.10

Beam height 102.28

Beam height 102.28

Floor level 99.96

Beam height 102.28

Beam height 102.28

Celing height 102.74

Beam height 102.28

Beam height 102.28

Beam height 102.28

Stairs up

Window cill 100.91

Shutter Door

Window top

103.32

Window cill 101.03

Stairs up

Stairs up

Stairs down

Lift

Floor level 98.74

Ground Floor

Draft Plans The draft plans show the building with its original outline and structure. The structural beams remain in place for the first and second floors supporting the new walkways.

LIFT

DN

NO FLOOR - VOID

FUNCTION ROOM

VOID

DN BALCONY EMERGENCY EXIT

Externally a glass greenhouse wraps around the south end of the building and along the long sides with large windows along all elevations.

Third Floor

Stairwells to all floors are on both ends and in the centre of the building with a lift on the inside.

KITCHEN

LIFT

VOID quiet seating

UP

DN

DN

RESTAURANT

Inclusive and accessible toilets are located in the north building on each floor.

DN

UP

quiet seating

REFUGE POINT EMERGENCY EXIT

Second Floor

NO FLOOR - VOID DOWN TO GROUND FLOOR

quiet seating

VOID

UP

LIFT

DN

UP

BAR DN

UP

REFUGE POINT EMERGENCY EXIT

MEMBERS + STAFF "POTTING SHED"

OUTSIDE SEATING AREA DN

First Floor Primary Entrance EMERGENCY EXIT

BREWERY

EMERGENCY EXIT

shelving

shelving

LIFT

shelving

lockable storage

RETAIL AREA UP

work tables

work tables

BREWERY STORAGE + BEER CELLAR lockable storage

UP

UP CAFE BAR

REFUGE POINT EMERGENCY EXIT

MEMBERS + STAFF GREENHOUSE

UP

PUBLIC ACCESSIBLE GREENHOUSE

Secondary Entrance

Bethan Rees 16066650

Goods in

Ground Floor

Draft Sections and Concept Drawings

Long Section (not to scale)

First Floor Seating Area

Second Floor Seating Area / Third Floor Balcony

Short Section (not to scale)

PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Rendered Long Section

(not to scale)

Rendered Plans

(not to scale)

Finishes and Materials

Bethan Rees BA (Hons) Interior Design University of South Wales 2020