Hendrick’s Gin Palace

The challenge was two-fold. Production capacity needed to grow up to 500% to meet current and projected market needs. But the building also needed to represent the brands unique and quirky identity.

In essence, it needed to be both a beautiful gin palace and a highly efficient gin factory.

The brief was bold and ambitious. To “pull back the curtain” on the intricate methods of production. And, to provide a “platform for invention” and “unleash creativity” in botanists and brand ambassadors.

‘Victoriana’ was the inspiration for the overall design concept. Glasshouses – inherently Victorian and invented to grow botanicals – had a strong synergy with the brand. So, a series of workshops explored contemporary and traditional designs before settling on a Victorian hothouse with a curved roof. The idea had practical purpose, as there was a dire need of new facilities to explore brand extensions. It would also provide a much-needed place to educate and inspire brand ambassadors.

The distillery design comprises four key elements. A Victorian inspired walled garden; a central accommodation housing a bar, lab space and lecture theatre; three individual still houses and a service yard to support distillation facilities.

The ‘theatrical’ style walled garden sets visitors up for ‘the big reveal’ as they approach the building. The central glasshouse with a curved roof then invites guests into the light airy structure to explore more. Two smaller working hothouses flank this – one with citrus and the other with tropical botanicals – and lead out directly into the walled garden. From here, there are views towards the bright copper stills which stand out against the dark brick. A stained glass oculus bathes them in light from above.

Housed in the central spine are a lecture theatre, bar, laboratory and a dramatic anti-chamber event space. In this space the dark brick archways, delicate up-lighting and stained glass draw the visitor into the eccentric brand world. The rest of this crucial backstage zone contains a control room, WCs, changing rooms, catering and plant providing a buffer between the ‘brand world’ and its production.

The new Hendrick’s Gin Palace epitomises the quirky brand and each carefully chosen component plays its part in drawing the visitor into its eccentric world.

Since opening, it has hosted brand workshops, events and media as well as proving to be a great place to cultivate and experiment. Importantly, production capacity has already doubled with plenty more space to grow.

The result, a grand design, an iconic home for a wonderfully eccentric gin.