Dean Architecture PA designed the exterior of a Tasting Room building at Log Still Distillery with a dark gray standing seam metal panel system to meet multiple project goals including complementing the interior, embedding the building in the environment and durability.
Taylor Poole, AIA, architect at Dean Architecture, says, “A dark metal exterior amplifies the warm wood interior, and recalls the characteristic Rickhouse exterior that turns black as it ages due to a black fungus that grows on Rickhouses world-wide (Baudoinia compniacensis).
“Through material and scale, the Tasting Room responds to the rural Kentucky typology and distilling history of its past, while creating a utilitarian, sustainable, and modern facility that is both inviting to visitors and familiar to locals.”
On a majority of the exterior roof and walls, Drexel Metals’, a Carlisle Construction Materials LLC brand, DMC 200S aluminum structural standing seam panel system in Charcoal Grey was installed.
“Many of the reclaimed materials used were sourced locally in Kentucky, and even from the site,” Poole says. “The stair treads were hand made by the Amish, and the Cypress cladding at the entrance was sourced from the distillery grounds. A section of the original Quonset hut distillery was also salvaged and incorporated into the design of the tasting room. This extra effort creates not only an enduring local connection, but roots the facility in its place historically, visually, and texturally.”
In terms of building orientation, Dean Architecture took many factors into consideration including views and five additional buildings planned for the site.
“The footprint of the building is minimal, with large expanses of glass and a kinetic bifold wall set on axis with the under-construction amphitheater that provides visual connection as well as walk-up bar access for patrons,” Poole says. “Views of the water tower and upcoming distillery building informed the location and scale of the glass curtainwall.”
Owner: Log Still Distillery LLC, New Haven, Ky.
General contractor: Buzick Construction Inc., Bardstown, Ky., teambuzick.com
Architect: Dean Architecture PA, Ridgeland, Miss., deandean.com
Metal roof/wall panels: Drexel Metals, a Carlisle Construction Materials LLC brand, Louisville, Ky., drexmet.com
