The beauty of Escea’s range of doubled sided gas fireplaces is that it provides a window right into the next room — but what if it could give a flame-framed window into the outdoors? The DX Series can do just that.

Founded way back in 1991, by New Zealand’s own godfather of Craft Brewing, Emerson’s Brewery is a Dunedin icon. The company has gone from humble beginnings, with founder Richard brewing in his mother’s kitchen no less, to opening a small brewery on Grange Street. In 2016 Emerson’s reopened as a brewery, warehouse, taproom, restaurant, and cellar door — a “haven for beer lovers”.

Ignite Architects were commissioned to bring The Emerson’s Brewery and Taproom to life. They were tasked with uniting the industrial nature of the warehouse and brewery with the ethos of southern hospitality to create a dedicated space where the community can come together to enjoy great food, great company and of course, great beer.

Aesthetically, the design takes inspiration from the place where Richard’s passion began — a traditional English pub, with brass studded chairs, couches and booths — and pays homage to the history of the site which was a railway yard back in the 1950s. Subtle nods to the era are seen in railway tracks embedded into the polished concrete floor and the bespoke fittings made from reclaimed materials, such as the striking chandelier by Unique Creative that hangs above the dining room — made from old saw blades and Emerson’s flagons.

Steel brewing tanks are a key feature of the design, creating an industrial backdrop to the restaurant and bar as well as being visible from the exterior of the building. In an open plan conversation corner, the starkness of the brewery is warmed up by the furnishings, carpeting and an Escea DX Series doubled sided gas fireplace set into a polished brick concrete surround.

The Fireplace

Just like the open plan taproom layout connects the bar, dining room, brewery and warehouse, the DX1000 gas fire connects the indoor and outdoor space. Installed into the exterior wall, it creates a flame-framed window into the outdoor courtyard — and vice versa.

The addition of the fireplace brings warmth to the dining room, both physically and aesthetically. The polished brick paired with the concrete hearth is a material reference to the London underground. In the courtyard, the fireplace creates fiery looking glass into the dining room and brewery — the perfect way to immerse patrons into the world of craft brewing.

While the fireplace doesn’t provide heat to the outdoor space, it sets the scene for craft beer connoisseurs to connect and converse over their favourite New Zealand Hazy. And a bowl of thrice-cooked chips, of course.