Tawandang German Brewery

Tawandang German Brewery, established in 1999, pioneered the concept of blending Thai and German cultures through its microbrewery and entertainment offerings. Originally introducing authentic German beer to the Thai market, Tawandang Brewery evolved beyond traditional brewery models by integrating diverse Eastern and Western performances. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the microbrewery is poised to honour its roots and identity through a refurbishment of the interior — offering a new yet familiar experience for visitors.

Refurbishment & Interior Design.

Design Approach

The design pays tribute to the intricate beer-making process by highlighting the spatial qualities and motifs of the operation and equipment involved. The approach is to seamlessly integrate with the existing infrastructure, from the original functional copper brewhouse tank to the complex overhead piping systems delivering beers to the taps.

The Bar

The operation below underwent significant spatial reconfigurations through a thorough process of adjacency revisions with the brewery. Beyond practical improvements, the bar has been reconstructed to serve a dual purpose: showcasing the delivery of freshly brewed beer and functioning as a performance stage in its own right.

Following a thorough study of the brewery’s daily operations, bespoke fridges were designed in collaboration with SystemForm to perfectly fit the function and space. Existing stainless steel appliances were carefully measured, refurbished, and modified to complement the newly custom storage solutions. To unify the space, a red polyurethane flooring has been extended across the inner bar.

Bespoke Appliances

Budget constraints demand a delicate equilibrium between architectural precision and flexibility. The unpredictable existing site, coupled with a lack of comprehensive documentation, poses unique challenges. Working with unskilled labour requires an intuitive approach, simplifying construction drawings and relying on the logic of existing framing divisions. The result is a meticulous yet pragmatic approach to the reconstruction, a detailed patching process of the architectural skin, ensuring that the intervention is not only transformative but also feasible within the confines of the project.

The Canopy

The proposal extends from the brewhouse in the form of a canopy, drawing inspiration from its materiality and design language. This canopy envelops the new bar, serving as a centrepiece to anchor the surrounding activities. Adopting the contours of the existing counter bar, the curved canopy integrates new lighting fixtures and material articulations, enhancing flexibility and practicality in the lighting and ambience design. New copper pipes trace the perimeter, interweaving and intersecting with the original pipes to maintain coherency.