BRIEF

Also known as Ballykelly Mills or the Malthouse, a former water mill (built c.1800) located on the banks of the Grand Canal to the north of Monasterevin, was to be transformed into a modern whiskey distillery with integrated visitor experience. The idea for this follows the rich tradition of whiskey making in the town and the wider County of Kildare.

‍CONCEPT

The project aimed to transform the site into a modern whiskey distillery and visitor experience, drawing inspiration from Monasterevin's rich history of whiskey making. The design concept emerged from early discussions with the client, centring on a shared appreciation for wild landscapes and the theme of new life emerging from dereliction and ruin. This vision guided a contemporary response that harmonised with the historic heritage setting, creating an inviting space to attract visitors to the area. Key features like the original mill race aqueduct, stonewalls along the canal edge and the malting house have been retained, enhancing the distinctiveness of the post-industrial landscape. The design emphasises the canal, recalling the site's heyday as a bustling mill for flour and corn bound for international markets.

The design achieves a delicate balance between old and new through a visual contrast of historic and contemporary elements. A cohesive blend of structures, colours, tones and textures softens the boundaries between built form and landscape, while strong geometries and abstract forms are complemented by a carefully chosen palette of naturalistic herbaceous planting. The site design also prioritises the protection and enhancement of biodiversity. The design preserves existing landscape and ecological features, such as trees, hedgerows, ditches and riverbank buffers, embracing a nature-centred approach to create a low-maintenance, resilient landscape.

Winner - Heritage Landscapes
2024 Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) Awards