Ice Cream Research Facility Black Mountains, Welsh Building Images, Architect
Ice Cream Research Facility Black Mountains, Wales
9 Nov 2020
Design: Hyde + Hyde Architects
Hyde + Hyde Architects were approached in winter 2018 to develop a design for a new high quality, contextual product development building within the foothills of the Black Mountains, Wales.
Ice Cream Research Building in the Black Mountains
Background + Landscape
Where you work and what you make is inexplicably linked. The Black Mountain range is the backdrop to the working environment, a landscape forged and formed through glacial action over the ages.
The small family business has developed an international brand and reputation, and now finds itself in this beautiful location where landscape and work intertwine. Whilst the existing factory and production building embodies a tried and tested formulaic response, practical, simplistic, efficient and introverted. The new brief for a ‘Research Facility’ calls for a new symbolism to emerge that is both local and global in its outlook.
In the distance from the site a mountain landscape can be seen, inside the factory Ice cream is made. Conveniently and serendipitously both processes involve ice.
Symbolism: Brand image becomes Architecture
Depth of connection is in the coldness of the product and the mountain symbolism. Hyde + Hyde Architects have interpreted these narratives into a vivid and iconic skyline diagram of perfectly white cascading forms that extend out from the site as a beacon to passers-by of something elemental and global in its appeal, cool – yet locally derived from context, passion and place.
Hyde + Hyde Architects studio crit:
During the day these glacial objects reach up above the building to the sky and can be seen juxtaposed against the distant hills. The building reaches out from its site. During the night the object glows as a beacon drawing people closer. Creating place.
Plan = History + Process
site layout:
The plan has developed as a linear opportunity which is a direct interpretation of the process of manufacture. The building is a symbol and a sign. It has developed through an understanding of the function of manufacture as a process in space and time and further transforms these processes into a memorable architectural experience that celebrates the products created.
ground floor plan:
first floor plan:
Ice Cream Research Facility Black Mountains image / information from Hyde + Hyde Architects
Hyde + Hyde Architects studio directors:
Location: Black Mountains, Wales
Welsh Buildings
Contemporary Welsh Architecture
Welsh Architecture Designs – chronological list
Another rural Welsh building on e-architect:
Arthur’s Cave Pop-up Hotel Cabin, Castell y Bere
image courtesy of architects
Welsh Pop-up Hotel Cabin
Contemporary Welsh Architecture Designs – architectural selection below:
Swansea City Centre Regeneration
Design: ACME, Architects
image : ACME, 2017
Swansea City Centre Regeneration
Maggie’s Southwest Wales
Design: Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates with Garber & James
Maggie’s Southwest Wales
Swansea Masterplan
Design: BDP – Building Design Partnership
Swansea Masterplan
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