The Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire is the first distillery and also the first refurbishment to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM design-stage accreditation.

The distillery process buildings designed by GWP Architecture have been awarded an impressive score of 86.81%, the second highest score for an industrial building by BREEAM.

Martin Townsend Director at BREEAM, BRE Global, said: “BREEAM sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation and is the world’s foremost environmental assessment method. We are very happy that the Bombay Sapphire team has achieved this ‘Outstanding’ design-stage certification – this is one of the highest scores under BREEAM and a first in the drinks industry. It is particularly impressive given this is a conversion of an existing building.”

Barry Rankin Director of GWP Project Services, said: “This accreditation is a tribute to the team. All parties have worked with great care and collaboration to ensure the most cutting-edge sustainable technologies have been woven into the imaginative designs for Laverstoke Mill, and the result will no doubt prove to be a world-class distillery that reflects the values of the Bombay Sapphire gin brand.”

The accolade comes after a careful process that analysed contextual, economic, efficiency and technical feasibility complexities around the site by the design team. The restoration of the site also includes the installation of a combination of on-site renewable energy generating systems, such as photovoltaics, a bio-fuelled boiler and 6kW hydro-electric water wheel in the river Test.

The distillery is set to open in Autumn 2013 and will include a visitor centre and botanical glasshouses designed by Thomas Heatherwick and his team at Heatherwick Studio. The site is being renovated from a derelict mill into a state-of-the-art premium gin distillery and visitor centre encompassing the highest standards in design, functionality and sustainability.

For further information have a look at the project page.