UK-based Architect and Design agency New British Design were chosen to create the first ever pop-up off grid-pub for Danish brand, Carlsberg. Dubbed The Engine House by the Architects, the project forms part of the relaunch for Carlsberg UK of their premium larger, Carlsberg Export. The innovative project, which comprises a back to basics bunk house in the woods was built in just 5 days. Located on the stunning North Coast of Cornwall, the site is also home to four of New British Designs off ground, off grid camping pods as part of eco-glamping site, Kudhva (kudhva.co.uk) which was launched back in July 2017.

The off-grid pub design is the mastermind of Architect and Designer, Ben Huggins, founder of Architect and Design Studio New British Design. Huggins, whose early training was in fine cabinet making, is known for his distinctive craft based approach to design and his rapidly expanding portfolio includes project across commercial and residential sectors. Of designing for Carlsberg, Ben says, ‘Its fantastic to be working along Carlsberg UK whose brief allowed me the creative freedom to deliver something really exciting. Commissioning us to create a hand-crafted, architect designed off-grid pub for a their latest social media campaign is a brilliantly innovative move with all the right messages’.

The build took just 5 days to assemble from start to finish and was filmed on location as part of a wider social media campaign. Taking the form of the traditional Cornish Engine House situated nearby, Ben Huggins’ high-design, low-impact structure was constructed from a pared down material palate of wood, tin and polycarbonate. Working with nature to enhance what was already there, the light-weight structure of pub and deck hovers above the stream and weaves itself considerately around the trees and giant ferns. A series of ropes, rocks and pulleys allow parts of the structure to fold up whilst sliding panels provide a further gateway to the outdoors. At night a series of polycarbonate panels set into the timber frame allows the building to become a lantern.

‘We wanted to explore living space through a series of experimental prototypes on a 1:1 scale. We also wanted to create a low-impact structure which placed as much importance on the outside space as the inside’.

Ben Huggins, Project Architect

Year 2017

Work finished in 2017

Status Completed works

Type Modular/Prefabricated housing