Melbourne-based architecture studio Breathe has joined forces with cult Australian Gin purveyors, Four Pillars, to deliver a new world class distillery. Opened in April, the project is entirely carbon-neutral—the first of its kind in Australia. The new facility is located in Healsville, Yarra Valley, sitting directly adjacent to the brand’s original home.

The project sees Four Pillars continue their commitment to sustainability and community with the implementation of new sustainability initiatives throughout. Breathe looked to increase the building’s use of solar, limit its glass usage and improve the facility’s recycling capacity to significantly lower the business’ carbon and environmental impact.

To do this, the team employed materials including recycled and upcycled concrete and bricks, pineapple ‘leather’ upholstery and even building waste that has been carefully refashioned for a second life. Furniture is all locally sourced, solar power panels clad the roof, and internal and external landscaping include plantings of local natives and botanicals, many of which will be then used in future gin distillations.

To reduce glass waste, gin will be ‘piped’ directly into the main bar through featured copper pipes and bottled tonic usage will be massively reduced, replaced for the most part by tonic in kegs—these two initiatives alone will see the site save 29 tonnes of glass per year.

Inspired by the brand’s signature German copper stills, the whole site, incorporating the old and new buildings is enclosed by a stunning copper ‘veil’ made from 1650m of raw copper tubing. The copper acts as a sensory surprise for visitors while in turn working as a natural heat exchange to reduce energy consumption.

The new space has an increased capacity of around 300 guests with multiple event and function areas, a stunning crafted copper bar, gin shop and indoor/outdoor garden with huge sliding, floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the mature trees of the surrounding gardens. The Breathe team worked closely with landscape architecture firm Openwork to ensure the natural site beyond was woven into the building.

[Images courtesy of Breathe Architecture. Photography by Anson Smart.]