Built to Mature

Almost considered a wasteland that was seriously damaged during World War II, Chernyakhovsk seemed like an unlikely place to build a home base for the brand renowned for its selection of classic cognacs and spirits. Though the Baltic coast was a sight for sore eyes, the place needed a fresh touch that could lead to a rebirth of city life in the near future.

While generally functioning as a brandy distillery warehouse, the masterminds at TOTEMENT/PAPER were determined to realise a unique and distinguished building that would also be a museum complex, an entertainment centre, a meeting place and most importantly, a leisurely spot for those craving for a sip of quality brandy.

Whilst spearheading the project from a concept as simple as birth and life, the architects drew symbols of the cognac’s natural origins and grapevines as well as took the design to deeper abstracts with a system of dualities i.e. internal and external; male and female; low and high; wood and metal etc.

Consequently, the architectural ensemble took form in a low wooden building – also the warehouse – which represented the embodiment of an internal, earthly, preserved birth; whereas a tall standing geometric capacity that stretched towards the skies represented the mobile, external, metal, male connection.