Bombay Sapphire Distillery, UK
Using glass and steel to create an immersive journey
The new elegant waterfall-shaped glass houses, which appear to float on the river surface at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill, allow the ingredients that make up Bombay Sapphire Gin to take centre stage.
The innovative self-supporting glass and steel shells give visitors a sense of connection and flow between the connected distillery spaces. From within, the impression is of standing in a spiralling vortex. This sense of movement is enhanced by the flow of warm air through the spaces (excess head pumped in from the distillery), which also carries the scent of exotic plants.
Through our expertise in structural, façade and materials engineering, the Arup team brought to life the client’s vision of taking visitors on a journey through the 10 plant species used in the distillation of Bombay Sapphire, replicating their native environments within the glass houses.
