Bombay Sapphire’s new distillery by Thomas Heatherwick is unveiled at Laverstoke Mill
![Laverstoke Mill](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p8MGzJ5EyYMkMnnhEZ5tsD-415-80.jpg)
Laverstoke Mill, Bombay Sapphire's new home in Hampshire, is an architectural project of many firsts. It is the first project of its scale and complexity in the UK by its celebrated London-based designer, Thomas Heatherwick. It is also Heatherwick Studio's first conservation project, as well as its first design for a production facility, something Heatherwick is passionate about. Finally, Laverstoke Mill is the first project of either type - refurbishment or distillery - ever to receive the prestigious Outstanding BREEAM rating for environmental assessment.
When the leading gin brand began searching for its new home in England five years ago, the derelict paper mill in Laverstoke (which, in its heyday, printed banknotes for the Bank of England, no less) stood out as the ideal renovation project. Heatherwick led the transformation of this historical complex in the English countryside into a state-of-the-art gin-production facility. The results do not disappoint.
While the human experience was central to his proposal for the old mill, Heatherwick also focused on the site's water component. Years of development had nearly obliterated the bank of the River Test, which runs through the Hampshire site, and led to an architectural complex that felt overcrowded and uneven. The team set out to amend this. '[One of the challenges was], how do we take this cacophony and make it make sense, and turn it into a place of manufacture - only for gin instead of paper,' says Heatherwick.
Placing the riverbank at the design's heart and opening up the site, the team meticulously cleaned up, lovingly restored, upgraded and added to the complex, paying special attention to public spaces. 'It was the first time we'd worked with so many heritage buildings,' says Heatherwick, who now has projects in various stages in South Africa and the UK. The Laverstoke undertaking included the delicate handling of three Grade II-listed buildings, as well as a strong sustainability requirement.
The other crucial element leading the design was, of course, the distillation, which is on full display to visitors at key stages of the process. Without a doubt, the key attraction, however, is the distinct and cleverly designed pair of glasshouses. The bulbous structures 'float' on the river and house the brand's valuable collection of Mediterranean and tropical gin-making plants. They also highlight the project's sustainability credentials, making strategic use of the by-products of distillation.
'There was all this excess heat from the distillation process, so we thought, "Could we use that heat to create the growing conditions for the tropical and Mediterranean plants?"' says Heatherwick. 'We felt there was an opportunity for modern glasshouses.' Ivano Tonutti, Bombay's Master of Botanicals, agrees this project made a big difference to his work. 'It is important to have something to show and touch,' he explains. 'We are very passionate [about what we do] and this place makes us even more proud.'
Laverstoke Mill distillery has been up and running for about six months, finessing its new home before the grand opening on 1 October. Marking the occasion, the spirit will also be available in a special-edition 'Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Laverstoke Mill Limited Edition' bottle. 'And there will be more surprises to come,' hints Tonutti. Watch this space.
When the leading gin brand began searching for its new home, the derelict old paper mill complex in Laverstoke soon stood out as the ideal renovation project. Photography: Iwan Baan
Heatherwick led the transformation of this historical complex, nestled within the iconic green English countryside, into a state-of-the-art gin production facility. Photography: Iwan Baan
The complex includes two glass houses that cleverly make use of the excess heat produced during the distillation process. Photography: Iwan Baan
One of the glasshouses contains the distillery's tropical plants collection, while the other houses the Mediterranean plants. Photography: Iwan Baan
Laverstoke Mill will be open to visitors who would like to find out more about the process of gin making
The distillery will open its doors to visitors on the 1st October. Photography: Iwan Baan
INFORMATION
Bombay Sapphire Distillery
Laverstoke Mill
London Road
Laverstoke
Whitchurch
Hampshire RG28 7NR
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Commune’s sustainable personal care products look ‘quite unlike anything else’
Commune’s Somerset-made products stand out in the sustainable skincare crowd. Madeleine Rothery speaks with the brand’s co-founders Kate Neal and Rémi Paringaux
By Madeleine Rothery Published
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
Tour the Natural History Museum’s new gardens, a Jurassic lark in London
The Natural History Museum in London has unveiled two new gardens, with resident dinosaurs, after a transformation led by architects Feilden Fowles
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Drama Republic moves into a colourful, handcrafted workspace in London
For the new creative HQ of production company Drama Republic, Emil Eve Architects remodels a warehouse into office space in London’s Holborn
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Hideaway House in London features timber panelling inspired by the New York hospitality scene
The elegantly refurbished Hideaway House by Studio McW in London features timber panelling inspired by Philip Johnson’s The Four Seasons Restaurant
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
‘Modern Buildings’ tours south-east London through a guide to post-war Blackheath and Greenwich
‘Modern Buildings: Blackheath and Greenwich’ is a detailed survey of a London borough’s rich trove of new modernist architecture
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Triangle House invites you to its inner world of colourful surprises
Triangle House by Artefact is a private home in Epsom, outside London, combining Caribbean style, colour and functionality
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Tour the refreshed Saint Andrew Holborn: an icon reveals its crisp new interior in London
DaeWha Kang reimagines Saint Andrew Holborn church through a sensitive architectural solution that blends tradition and modernity in London
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
A Suffolk house by Studio Bark pairs a fresh visual language with low-energy design
Suffolk house Water Farm is off-the-grid but defiantly on the map, a bold new object in the landscape with a strong visual impact and minimal carbon footprint
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Westminster Coroner's Court renovation delicately blends moments of softness and austerity
Westminster Coroner's Court gets a refresh and addition, courtesy of Lynch Architects and artist Brian Clarke
By Ellie Stathaki Published