Microbrewery ÅBEN

Honourable Mention in the Commercial Category 2023, Building of the Year

ÅBEN - A Poetic Bar in an Old Slaughterhouse

Architectural poetry, a new bar, and a modern brewery in an old slaughterhouse by Marie Larsen, building of the year 2023.

In 2021, Søren Thirup Pihlmann founded Pihlmann Arkitekter, a firm specializing in a broad range of architectural solutions, from newly built single-family homes to transformation projects in historical environments.

For Pihlmann, architecture is an art form that seeks to find a balance between the grand and the small, between the overall context and the smallest building components. One of the firm’s greatest strengths is its ability to combine practical functions with significant architectural beauty.

The materials used in Pihlmann’s projects are not just construction materials; they are more like leading roles in a film. By nurturing each material's unique characteristics and potential, Pihlmann creates robust and simple, yet magnificent architecture that possesses the soul of the material’s nature and history.

A Poetic Bar in an Old Slaughterhouse
Den Hvide Kødby, part of Copenhagen’s historic meatpacking district and a national industrial monument, is home to one of Pihlmann’s most remarkable projects. Here, the firm has transformed an old swine hall into an open microbrewery with a popular bar. The transformation illustrates how industrial buildings can preserve and even enhance their original character, even when repurposed for entirely new functions.

The architects have shown deep respect for the building’s original purpose and architectural qualities. The original slaughter hooks, where livestock once hung, have been preserved and integrated into the new design. New functions, such as the brewing tanks, have been seamlessly incorporated into the existing structure in a way that respects and amplifies the building's history.

Industrial Aesthetics and Functional Beauty
The low-hanging walkway and the semi-transparent curtains are examples of poetic elements that add a new dimension to the space. These design choices create practical separations between different zones while offering a visual connection to the slaughterhouse’s past.
The industrial aesthetic creates an atmosphere that is both raw and honest, strengthened by exposed surfaces and visible machinery, which tell their own story. The project represents a new type of architecture where the production process is integrated into the architectural experience, creating a deep connection between the building’s past and present.

Symbiosis of Past and Present
Åben Brewery reinterprets the building's industrial heritage in a modern format, where guests are invited into the actual production area. This challenges the traditional divide between the public and production spaces. Originally built in 1932 as a modern slaughterhouse, the building has retained its robust slaughter hooks and is now outfitted with shiny steel tanks and extensive piping.

The semi-transparent curtains, the low-hanging walkway, and the conical fermentation tanks create a unique atmosphere. The interior highlights the historic building’s qualities through its interplay with modern production equipment.

Den Hvide Kødby is one of Denmark’s 25 national industrial monuments and is under special protection. Pihlmann’s transformation of the swine hall brings the building closer to its original expression while introducing new architectural and functional elements. The project exemplifies how historic buildings can reinvent themselves while respecting and accentuating their original purpose and architectural qualities.

Jury Comments
The microbrewery Åben deserves honorable mention for the 'Building of the Year' award due to its remarkable transformation of an old slaughterhouse into a modern microbrewery. Here are some reasons why this project is a worthy candidate:

Respect for History: The project demonstrates a deep respect for the building’s past as a slaughterhouse. The preservation of the original slaughter hooks and their integration into the new design is a commendable example of honoring history and architectural heritage.

Functional Beauty: The microbrewery is highly functional. Design choices, such as the low-hanging walkway and the semi-transparent curtains, serve practical purposes while also adding a sense of intrigue to the space.

Symbiosis of Past and Present: The project creates a unique synergy between the building's history and its modern use as a brewery. Guests are invited into the production area, challenging traditional divides between the public and production spaces, creating a distinctive atmosphere.

Preservation of National Industrial Monument: Åben Brewery is located in Den Hvide Kødby, one of Denmark’s 25 national industrial monuments. Pihlmann’s transformation respects and highlights the building’s original qualities and purpose, which is crucial for preserving national industrial heritage.

Overall, Åben Microbrewery is an exemplary project that shows how historic buildings can reinvent themselves and remain relevant today. It is a tribute to architectural innovation, aesthetics, and respect for our cultural heritage, making it deserving of an honorable mention for 'Building of the Year'.

For the project, Glaseksperten produced industrial wire glass walls and panels.

Project name
Microbrewery ÅBEN

Location
Kødbyen, Copenhagen

Type
Commercial

Products:
Internal glass walls in wire glass.

Customer:
Fyns Smedejerns Trapper

Architect:
Pihlmann Architects

Photo:
ÅBEN
Hampus Berndtson