When Guinness wanted to launch an experimental brewery and barrel house in America, Orbit Design were chosen to design the interior and exterior of the experience. The project included a 250-person taproom, full-service restaurant, an experimental brewery, a visitor centre, beer garden and outdoor event space with a pint-shaped lawn. The location was the historic Calvert distillery, a 62 acre site 10 miles from downtown Baltimore. The building was a six storey barrel ageing warehouse that required a complete safety overhaul and upgrade.
Working with Guinness and the team of consultants, Orbit was responsible for bringing the vision to life, engaging in all aspects of the building, including reducing the height of the building and reskinning the entire façade, mapping visitor journeys, designing flexibility and growth into the space and the design of all front and back of house areas.
The target of 250,000 visitors per year* was reached within just 6 months and the Open Gate Brewery has gone on from strength to strength since then, reinforcing Guinness as an iconic brewer of legendary beers and innovative creator of new beers.