Smuttynose Brewery wins architecture award

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McHenry design earns People's Choice honor

Hampton Union, February 17, 2015

[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]

Smuttynose Brewery

HAMPTON — Smuttynose Brewing Company’s new brewery has just won its first award, 2015 People’s Choice for a Commercial Project, from the American Institute of Architecture, New Hampshire chapter (AIANH). The award recognizes the design work of McHenry Architecture in bringing Smuttynose’s owners, Joanne Francis and Peter Egelston’s vision to reality.

While employee and visitor reactions to the new Smuttynose have all been positive, the award offers both the brewers and the architects recognition from a nationally-recognized architectural association.

As Smuttynose’s original home in a non-descript warehouse on the edge of Portsmouth approached capacity, Egelston and Francis set out to build a signature new home for their business, which turns 21 this summer. The new construction had to include a more-efficient, yet expandable brewing operation while being very visitor-friendly through brewery tours and a restaurant, named Hayseed, that is scheduled to open in late February. McHenry Architecture, located in Portsmouth, hit all the marks and the public has noticed.

“We're pleased to see our friends at McHenry Architecture recognized by this award. It is a testament to their creativity, their attention to detail and their sensitivity to their clients' needs. Designing a state-of-the art craft brewery that is operationally and energy efficient, as well as aesthetically beautiful, then ushering it through the lengthy and complex process of site selection, permitting and construction, was no simple task," said Peter Egelston, founder and president of Smuttynose Brewing. Brewery tours are available seven days a week.

The awards were announced Jan. 23 at the AIANH Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet. Voting for the People’s Choice awards took place on the professional organization’s website, www.aianh.org.

For 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better design, and through such resources and access, they help clients and communities make their visions real.

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