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Historic German Mill Transformed into Dramatic Distillery by Phillip MainzerArchitect <a href="http://www.philippmainzer.com/en/projects/staehlemuehle-eigeltingen-germany-2010">Philipp Mainzer</a> has transformed an old mill in Eigeltingen, Southern Germany into a working distillery complete with tasting areas and a showroom for award-winning spirits producer <a href="http://www.staehlemuehle.de/">Stählemühle</a>. The dormant building been had been used at one time as a schnapps distillery, but when former art publisher <a href="http://vimeo.com/39184670">Christoph Keller</a> came across the structure, he enlisted help to revive the space to manufacture his own organic brandy and gin.1
Historic German Mill Transformed into Dramatic Distillery by Phillip MainzerBehind the rustic doors of the old Stählemühle mill now lie sleek, dramatically lit minimal rooms with exposed <a href="http://inhabitat.com/leftover-t-walls-barricades-could-provide-housing-for-iraqi-families/">concrete walls</a> and simple wood furnishings.2
Historic German Mill Transformed into Dramatic Distillery by Phillip MainzerMainzer describes his creative intent as seeking to put "specified traditional materials in a modern context" - he incorporated industrial materials that contrast with the polished finish of the large, elegant copper <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/distillery/">distillation</a> machine.3
Historic German Mill Transformed into Dramatic Distillery by Phillip MainzerPerhaps the most eye-catching room in the converted mill is the one in which the Stählemühle spirits ripen. In keeping with founder Christoph Keller's approach—as one viewing liquor production as a combination of <a href="http://vimeo.com/39184670">alchemy and tradition</a>—the space is lined with large orb-like <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-morrow-royal-pavilion-in-las-vegas-is-the-worlds-largest-building-made-of-recycled-beer-bottles/">bottles</a> in which the spirits sit for anywhere between three months and five years.4
Historic German Mill Transformed into Dramatic Distillery by Phillip MainzerThe bottles act as lenses, reflecting the soft light around the windowless industrial room. Each of the bottles is delicately adorned with an individual handwritten label.5
Historic German Mill Transformed into Dramatic Distillery by Phillip MainzerThe minimal, meditative spaces of the distillery also support Keller's emphasis on reawakening one's senses and memories through taste.6
Historic German Mill Transformed into Dramatic Distillery by Phillip MainzerThe custom-made wooden furniture pieces throughout the space were crafted by design firm <a href="http://www.e15.com/">e15.</a>7
