Ninkasi Factories by LFA: A Landmark Industrial Redevelopment in Tarare, France

Transforming Industrial Heritage into a Modern, Sustainable Brewery

Located at the western gateway of Tarare, France, the Ninkasi Factories by LFA (Looking for Architecture) represent a striking transformation of an industrial site into a contemporary brewing facility. This ambitious project revitalizes the urban fabric, integrating sustainable design principles, industrial architecture, and soft mobility solutions to enhance accessibility and functionality.

Architectural Vision: Blending Industry with Urban Regeneration

Spanning 6,690 m², the Ninkasi Factories consist of a main production facility and two aging cellars, strategically set back from the road to maintain unobstructed views of the town’s historic viaduct and the scenic Turdine Valley. The project emphasizes adaptive reuse and a strong connection with its environment, reinforcing the aesthetic and material continuity of the region.

Materiality: A Tribute to Local Context

One of the defining features of the project is its red mass-tinted concrete façade, echoing the natural hues of the viaduct and local stone formations. The main building combines raw concrete with anodized and lacquered aluminum panels, reflecting the surrounding light and landscape. Galvanized steel elements highlight the structure’s industrial character, while the aging cellars are designed as monolithic red concrete volumes that seamlessly integrate with the lush greenery around them.

Interior Aesthetic: Honest Materiality and Functional Design

Inside, the Ninkasi Factories celebrate the raw beauty of construction materials. The exposed steel framework, unfinished concrete walls, and grey quartz floors reinforce the industrial identity of the space. The machinery remains visible, emphasizing transparency in production processes. Meanwhile, the office and meeting spaces feature birch plywood accents and acoustic treatments, adding warmth and texture. This careful balance between industrial aesthetics and human-centered design extends to the whiskey aging cellars, where the use of natural wood resonates with the barrels aging within.

A New Model for Industrial Architecture

By reimagining an industrial site as a sustainable, accessible, and architecturally cohesive facility, LFA has crafted a new paradigm for urban-industrial integration. The Ninkasi Factories not only support eco-friendly brewing practices but also enhance the public realm, setting a precedent for future industrial regeneration projects.

All Photographs are works of Kévin Dolmaire