New Distillery Building and Visitor Experience, Bushmills, Co. Antrim

Granted a license to distribute in 1608, Bushmills is the oldest licensed whisky distillery in the world. In addition to its distilling business, it is also a popular tourist attraction, with around 120,000 visits per year.

Working with retained engineers, Doran Consulting and contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, the practice is delivering the first phase of an ongoing expansion of the distillery, being brought forward by the new owners, Casa Cuervo of Mexico.

The buildings includes a new distilling facility and a VIP visitors experience.

The design has had to address the hazardous environment created by alcohol vapours, CO2 gases and chemicals.