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Low Life Barrel House
By : The Design Shop Inc.
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Accommodation, Restaurant & Bar / Bar, Lounge & Nightclub : Bronze Certification
Located in the industrial area of Winnipeg’s South End, Lowlife Barrel House’s brewing and branding is all about traditional methods (drawing inspiration from medieval times) brought into the modern day and revitalized with an original twist.
While designing this taproom, a key consideration was to ensure the space was reflective of the raw and exposed nature of the brewing process happening within it. Unlike most breweries, Lowlife Barrel House (still) uses Foeders for their brewing process. Foeders are massive wooden barrels used to brew and store beer, and the image of them may come to mind when you think of a classic brewery. These barrels feature heavily in bars and pubs around the world, though they are not often used in the actual brewing process anymore. Larger, metallic brewing equipment has come into the forefront, as they produce more consistent results and are often more efficient, however, the unique character and flavours that emerge from the cultures within Lowlife’s Foeder barrels are what they built their brand on. Each brew they create is unique, and just like their process, they wanted their space to have a one-of-a-kind charm that emphasizes their craft and the care that goes into everything they do.
Using a raw materials palette accentuated by a refined design language, we were able to create an evocative atmosphere that demands attention the moment you step into the taproom. We drew inspiration from caverns, catacombs, and cathedrals— spaces that feel wide open, yet create intimacy and evolve through the impact of light and shadow. We sought to draw out the balance of light and dark that are critical to the identity and understanding of the space, as well as the spaces that inspired the brand and its process.
Concrete floors and an exposed deck ceiling carry throughout the taproom, paired with meticulously textured plaster walls that provide a subtle texture to the surrounding planes of the space. These subtle textures allow the custom elements within the space to shine. The bar front uses a combination of tiles to add a dense visual layer of texture that contrasts strongly with the neutral surroundings. Wall-mounted rails act as a frame for interchangeable lettering that comprises the menu, creating a curated utilitarian look that allows flexibility with the brewery’s ever-changing rotation of drinks, while bespoke branded tap handles anchor the aesthetic and provide a consistency to the menu wall. Along the perimeter wall, a custom banquette with a lounge-like low-back emphasizes the cavernous vertical volume of the space, and allows additional accentuation of the dainty sconces that dot the walls. Furnishings and fixtures were carefully selected, providing a monochromatic black aesthetic throughout, while playing with proportion to give a top-heavy feel that further reinforces the vertical volume. In the taproom, the Foeders are the primary feature, lining the walls and providing an insight into Lowlife’s brews-in-process.
More than anything, the goal of Lowlife Barrel House’s design was to create a unique taproom experience in Winnipeg— one that continues the narrative of the LowLife brand and connects back to the centuries old process they draw on for their unique brews.
Collaboration
