Independence Brewing Co.

The brief required the space to establish the showcase the process of brewing, and yet create the ambience of a warm neighborhood bistro, easy to walk in for lunch or post work, especially to make the most of its location adjacent to one of the fastest developing IT townships in Pune. Since it was the first store for the brand, the expression of this space had to establish a benchmark for the brand.

The project is sited in an independent space in a commercial office complex in Pune. It comprises a large floor plate - a 600 sqft microbrewery on showcasing the brewing process, 3800 sqft of indoor space, besides two split level outdoor areas of 1500 sqft and 600 sqft of services.

The design aims to translate the core values of the brand – an easy going yet finely balanced approach built on the key attributes of – Industrial craft, legacy, authenticity, and timelessness of materials and detail.

The primary challenge was to make the space multi-functional, allowing for casual business lunches, early evening drinking, to dinner for groups and even arrangements for live music events. The micro-brewery and a large island bar anchor the experience, naturally dividing the space into multiple zones. The bar extends into the outdoor space and allows for a seamless flow of the inside with the outdoors. The brewery is pulled into a double height volume to create a theatrical setting for the equipment. The glass partition encasing it is fabricated as a hand-milled mild steel framework with textured and clear glass to form an articulated frame that contrasts with the polished stainless steel tanks.

The levels, built in to support the service movement of the brewery, were integrated to create lines of sight from the more intimate zones and towards the flexible performance area; also visually connecting it to the core spaces.

The materiality is neutral and tactile – authentic and timeless in its expression; something that works both during the day and night. Polished VDF concrete floors, with brick and timber in fills in elevation, are used to create the backdrop. Elements such as custom-designed mild steel millwork details for the bar, bespoke furniture designed and manufactured locally, and lamps finished in tempered zinc add to the story of finely crafted details.