Header: Bruce Engel
In the Northern Province of Rwanda, a new structure catches the eye of everyone traveling the road to Volcanoes National Park. Situated in Musanze, with the great Virunga volcanoes as its backdrop, the home of Virunga Mountain Spirits Distillery makes a definitive statement. Designed by the firm BE_Design, this distillery is a thoughtful piece of architecture that supports its community and welcomes the world.
A beacon on the road to the gorillas
The 1,100-square-meter building sits on a busy route. The road is a constant stream of motion, from local farmers pedaling downhill with their produce to tourist vehicles heading up to see the renowned mountain gorillas. The facility for Virunga Mountain Spirits, a women-led company dedicated to the economic empowerment of Rwandan women, was constructed to serve both purposes. It provides a modern facility to support local agriculture while also offering a unique experience for visitors.
Photo credit: Bruce Engel
A copper heart in a stone body
The design, created by Bruce Engel’s firm BE_Design, centers on the distillery process itself. At the core of the building is the distillery room, enclosed in a transparent and semi-transparent structure made of glass, steel, and polycarbonate. This clear volume allows sunlight to flood the space, putting the production on full display. Inside, a magnificent 10-meter-tall vodka still, crafted from copper and stainless steel, rises toward the ceiling, becoming the building’s centerpiece.
Surrounding this bright center are heavy, protective walls constructed from hand-shaped volcanic rock sourced from the region. These thick, textured walls contain all the other necessary spaces. Here, you will find offices for the staff, a bottling room, storage facilities, a kitchen, and areas for visitors, including a reception area, a gift shop, a bar, and a tasting room where they can sample the final product. The floors throughout are made of concrete, and the roof is a steel truss structure with Onduline roofing.
Inspired by the land
The building’s form is a direct nod to its powerful surroundings. The angles and slopes of the structure reflect the silhouettes of the volcanoes that dominate the landscape. The design also incorporates visual cues from the local culture. The patterns are influenced by the traditional Rwandan art form of Imigongo, which can be seen on other buildings along the same well-traveled road. This approach provides the modern distillery with a profound connection to its unique location in the world.
Building with purpose
The commitment to the local area went far beyond the design’s appearance. The construction was completed using almost all locally sourced materials, starting with the volcanic rock for the foundations and walls. BE_Design worked with its long-term building partners to employ a local workforce for the project. Notably, the team maintained an average female representation of 35 percent. This initiative provided workers with on-site training in valuable construction skills, a stable income with savings accounts, and experience that will have a lasting positive impact on the community.
The founder of BE_Design, Bruce Engel, brought his experience from years spent in Rwanda to this project, continuing his firm’s focus on creating meaningful community and educational buildings in several African countries alongside his work on energy-efficient homes in New York.
Source: v2com-newswire
