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Caboose
Caboose
Vienna, VA, United States
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Other Projects by DBI Architects, Inc.
Caboose
Vienna, VA, United States
Firm
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2015
SIZE
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
To bring their vision of a bustling, community-oriented craft brewpub to life, the owners of Caboose Brewing Company selected an unexpected, yet ultimately ideal, location—an industrial warehouse space just a few blocks west of Maple Avenue in downtown Vienna, Virginia and adjacent to the Washington & Old Dominion bike path.
Driven by a passion for handcrafted beer and thoughtfully produced food, the owners collaborated with DBI to design, prepare, and transform the warehouse into a beautiful and functional brewery and farm-to-table restaurant.
DBI Director Raj Banga, AIA, knew that designing Caboose Brewery’s space would be “an absolutely one-of-a-kind project for everyone involved.” From a business perspective, establishing a brewery and restaurant of this type would be a “first” for not only the owners Matt Greer (formerly of Mandiant Corporation) and Tim McLaughlin (Founder of Siteworx), but also the Town of Vienna. From a design standpoint, reimagining the existing, neglected metal warehouse space as a highly sought-after dining destination was a unique and intriguing endeavor for DBI.
The warehouse, while requiring formidable effort to bring about its repurposing, is ideally located close to the main thoroughfare of downtown Vienna, near an upscale shopping district with a Whole Foods and a local music venue. Matt and Tim’s vision for the warehouse’s eventual transformation was inspiring—an airy, open, modern space set against an industrial backdrop. Served up with handcrafted ales and locally sourced food, this rustic elegance, once achieved, would appeal not only to craft beer enthusiasts and foodies, but also to the carb-hungry bicycling crowd (bike racks provided), tourists seeking a memorable meal in an upscale casual setting, and even families (the plans included a family bathroom).
“We saw this as an exciting opportunity to do something new, something vibrant,” explains Raj, so the collaboration began in early 2014 with developing the program of space types and their respective sizes and equipment needs.
Having defined a program of spaces, Raj and the design team worked closely with Matt to explore how to maximize the compact, 40’ x 80’ single-volume space, including efficient access points and circulation routes for patrons, staff, and deliveries.
In addition to designing the layout for the space’s three core components—a 15-barrel brewhouse, a 50- to 60-person dining area, and a full commercial kitchen, the design team was also challenged to incorporate several other necessary programmed spaces within the plan (i.e., the mill room, serving bar, boiler room, restrooms, refrigeration, storage areas, and office).
The existing pitched metal roof, sloping to a height of 24 feet at the space’s center, allowed for the creation of two new mezzanine spaces: one within the main dining area to provide storage, and another within the brewhouse to house the mill room.
Once the team had created a space plan that not only provided a welcoming and comfortable experience for the patrons but also “right-sized” the space for the brewing facilities’ technical equipment, the team knew that the project was truly taking off and eagerly proceeded into the next step.
Having arrived at an optimal space plan, DBI and the consultants focused their efforts on developing an integrated and comprehensive set of construction documents. Considering the age and condition of the existing structure, the team also had to ensure that the proposed design met all current energy and safety codes.
In addition to creating these essential documents, developing the design palette was another vital process that would significantly contribute to the brewery’s ultimate success. The design team explored the subtle and practical uses of industrial and organic materials, including concrete, steel, glass, and reclaimed wood, which guided the owners’ ultimate selection and implementation of the palette. Options for lighting and furniture, also important in cultivating the space’s overall atmosphere, were evaluated to establish a cohesive design theme.
With building permit in hand, brewing tanks on-site, and the launch of a social media campaign promoting the brewery to the local community, construction commenced in fall 2014. For six months, the site was abuzz with contractors specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including concrete specialists, steel fabricators, mechanical and electrical contractors, kitchen equipment providers, and specialty millworkers. As construction progressed, the owners began to orchestrate the other aspects of their business—training their hospitality team, fine-tuning the menu, and developing the Caboose brand. Through industrious and determined efforts, the entire team focused on the spring 2015 opening and the promise of handcrafted beer.
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