Site-1 Brewing, a mid-century, Lunar-inspired brewery incubator and tap house resides within a historically registered 1920s structure on the outskirts of the energetic downtown of Omaha, Neb. The facility shares its equipment with local start-ups, allowing them an opportunity to grow their craft without the upfront costs of opening a brewery.
The first floor of this 1920s building was originally built as a tire showroom, with storage areas in the rear. The showroom space contained wood wainscot paneling, terrazzo flooring and plaster ceilings. The rear spaces were bare concrete structure. The historic nature of the building became the ultimate challenge for architecture firm AO. To historically register the building, the existing elements needed to remain original.
The design needed to conform to the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Historic Preservation, as administered by the National Parks Service. The traditional nature of the wainscot needed to be highlighted and intertwined within the mid-century vibe and lunar theme. The hard nature of the terrazzo floor, plaster ceilings and wood wainscot added a layer of challenge with handling sound control.
The tire showroom located along the street storefront is utilized as the tap house. Contrasting the light stain on the existing wood wainscot with dark modern elements transforms the woodwork into the main feature of the space. To complement the intricate wainscot, a simple back bar shelf system of glass and mid-century inspired steel “chain” supports allows the wainscot to pass through uninterrupted.
A modern feel is presented through the more simple, geometric upholstered face of the bar, outlined in stained wood to match the wainscot. A navy-blue leather was selected to carry through the Lunar theme of the brand. The Lunar motif continues in the twinkling quartz bar top. A stellar glow spills from below the bar to create a floating appearance and emphasize the linearity of the millwork. Opposite the bar, an owner provided large-scale craterous art piece becomes a strong focal point.
To address the issues with sound control, acoustical foam is laid on top of painted steel frames then hidden by hanging wire mesh panels to provide a simple and almost invisible method of sound absorption.
In the back of the space, the industrial design of the existing storage area was the perfect canvas for a clean brewery incubator space. A fire-rated glass frame separates the brewing room from the dining area while providing visibility to the glistening equipment.