Case Study

New Belgium Brewing Company | Asheville, NC, USA

“Culture isn’t what you say; it’s about what you do… We believe that our dedication to high involvement culture and a loving, high performing workforce sets us apart.”

This is the message the people at the New Belgium Brewing Company want you to know about them and the way they foster a productive and engaged workforce.

The goal of creating a culture that is true to New Belgium’s mission is what made Kalwall® translucent sandwich panels such a prominent feature of the company’s brewery in Asheville, N.C.

The panels are used in the clerestory of the brewery’s Liquid Center tasting room and Brew House, as well as for the monitors inside the brewery’s production area. The look is striking and in line with New Belgium’s philosophy of creating a welcoming workplace.

By introducing diffuse natural daylight into a commercial setting, the space not only becomes more energy-efficient, but also more productive. Studies have shown that the use of natural light in commercial spaces improves employee satisfaction, reduces absences and boosts employee productivity levels.

As the industry leader for diffuse natural lighting systems, Kalwall is frequently selected for retail projects. Industry-leading technology provides the most innovative, energy-efficient lighting solutions and implements quality design features for the best thermal properties and usable natural light.

The New Belgium Brewery in Asheville, the company’s first on the East Coast, is a great example. The project earned three LEED Certifications: Silver for the Distribution Center, Gold for the Brew House and Platinum for the Liquid Center. Plus, it was designed to be a vibrant workplace that encourages collaboration by using natural daylight to take advantage of the brewery’s open floor plan and picturesque views of the French Broad River. The architects, the international firm of Perkins + Will, also successfully incorporated the brewing equipment into their design.

The result? A sustainable facility with a local flavor and a sleek, industrial-style design twist that is representative of both New Belgium and Asheville’s River Arts district.

Awards:
LEED Platinum, LEED Gold, LEED Silver | USGBC
Best in Show + Sustainability + Small Corporate | IIDA Carolinas
Best Project Southeast – Manufacturing Category | Engineering News Record
AIA Honor Award | AIA Triangle (North Carolina)
COTE Award for Sustainability | AIA North Carolina