PROJECT Gunther & Co.

LOCATION  Baltimore, Maryland, US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  4/15/2016

ARCHITECT Bates Architects PC

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT  

OWNER/CLIENT  Gunther & Co.

CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Heffner & Weber

PHOTOGRAPHER  E. Brady Robinson; Gunther & Co.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Bates Architects, serving as Architect of Record, in collaboration with Design-Builder Heffner & Weber Principal Mitch Weber, and Owner/Client Nancy Mola. Bates Architects Team: Clifford M. Bates, Jim Mills, Jennifer Litchfield, Forrest Popkin, Rochelle Cusimano

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

SITE
Baltimore, Maryland's historic / industrial Canton neighborhood is the site of the original Gunther Brewing Company complex of buildings. Many of these original buildings have been converted to retail and residential uses. The last structure to be resurrected in this mixed use complex was the old power plant for the original brewery. The building was a cold dark shell that required select interior and exterior modifications as well as new MEP systems. The building is approximately 4,950 square feet and includes the new second floor areas and basement support areas. The building is accessible from two public streets and two adjoining private shared amenity areas. The improvements to the shell building and site were subject to the guidelines and approval of the Maryland Historic Trust.

PROGRAM
The client/owner wished to create a variety of dining experiences including a new second floor dining mezzanine, exhibition kitchen and dining bar, a cocktail bar and dining room, private / smaller scale dining areas and an outdoor dining patio and bar. Patron entry points to the restaurant, access to outdoor spaces and service / delivery points required careful planning with neighboring functions. The interior design approach was to retain and reinforce the buildings original industrial character, use existing and reclaimed materials where possible and to take advantage of the abundance of natural lighting through the existing wall and overhead windows.

SOLUTION
The architect’s original design “parti” and design development drawings for the project were used as the basis for a comprehensive design collaboration between the Client/Owner and the Contractor/Construction Manager on the restaurant’s final interior and exterior plan, details, finishes, furnishings and lighting. The main two level dining space occupies the high bay portion of the building with the creation of a dining mezzanine that covers the exhibition kitchen and support areas. The structure of the mezzanine reflects the materials and detailing of the existing roof trusses. A private dining room on this upper level became a bookend of the main space and uses repurposed industrial windows as a part of the enclosure. Mirroring the dining room, a large living wall is adjacent to the open stairway to the second level offering a tactile and visual feature for the patrons. Adding to the experience, a series of spaces expand and contract as patrons transition from the double height space to a smaller bar and casual dining area. The base of one of the original brick smoke stack bases is featured in this transitional area. The casual dining and bar area features exposed steel framing, a large industrial skylight, a built in raw bar and millwork using repurposed materials. The outdoor dining area features covered seating, a second living wall that is harvested by the chefs, and fire and water features.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF
 

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS

IMAGE 1  Gunther_thumbnail.jpg, View from Private Dining Room, E. Brady Robinson

IMAGE 2  Gunther_high res ext.jpg, View toward Rear of Formal Dining and Exhibition Kitchen, E. Brady Robinson

IMAGE 3  Gunther_high res int.jpg, Banquette Seating in Formal Dining Room, E. Brady Robinson

IMAGE 4  Gunther_sub 4.jpg, View of Private Dining Room from Mezzanine, E. Brady Robinson

IMAGE 5  Gunther_sub 5.jpg, Mezzanine View toward Living Wall, E. Brady Robinson

IMAGE 6  Gunther_sub 6.jpg, View of Den from Bar, Gunther & Co.

IMAGE 7  Gunther_sub 7.jpg, Patio Living Wall and Fire Water Feature, Gunther & Co.

IMAGE 8  Gunther_sub 8.jpg, Formal Dining Room and Mezzanine, E. Brady Robinson