Let’s raise a glass to bright beer & architecture! Brightstar Brewing, 35 Stirling in Thebarton

Brightstar is located in a historic building in Thebarton; an inviting and exciting up-and-comingspot on the fringe of Adelaide’s city centre.

But in stark contrast to the industrial red-brick facade, is a bright and welcoming modern interior.

Like the beer itself, the venue uses glass to showcase the venue – inviting lightness and brightness inside.

Glass windows, glass doors - and most striking and unique of all - a tall frosty glass block feature wall.

The glass block feature wall serves many practical design purposes within the craft-brewing establishment.

Firstly, it is an attention grabbing wall. The historic red-bricked venue finds itself in an industrial area; a suburb of dark and discoloured tones. So it comes as a delightful surprise to walk into the clean, brightly lit, and modern brewhouse. It also invites curiosity for patrons to wonder what goes on behind the scenes, which is in keeping with the owners’ philosophy.

Secondly, the semi-transparent glass block feature wall is unapologetically functional. It provides sound protection from the otherwise busy kitchen and brewing machinery. It physically separates the main bar from the kitchen and brewing equipment (for hygiene reasons). The glow of the glass block wall can also produce more natural light and texture than a painted wall.

Thirdly, the use of glass marries the modern with the historic – both in terms of the architecture and the owner’s brewing philosophy. Like the traditional European beer on tap, the venue is also simple, uncomplicated, and allowed to breathe.

The glass block wall has also become the background of choice for the venue’s owners; acting as a bright backdrop for taking product photography of their impressive range of beers.

The following technical details and specifications were supplied by the installer:

Close to 900 Seves Glass Block Vitra wave blocks were used to construct the feature wall. The Vitra block has an opaque appearance which provides privacy. Light transmission is at 70%.

Each block was sandblasted by hand and sealed. The qualities of the block are; thermal insulation (U) 3.0 Wm-2k-1, Solar Energy (g) 72/76%, sound insulation 37dB in a mortar system.

Working closely with the builder and architect, a functional space was created that balanced the needs of the shared building space and the brewery. To achieve the seamless wall of glass blocks, one large continuous frame was constructed to give the overall large panel size, a central portal was allowed for the large double doors.

The final product is a dynamic space for friends, family and beer lovers to come together and connect.

Here are some final tasting notes: this is not a dank, depressing speakeasy. It is a Brightstar brewery in every sense; and certainly worth checking out over a tall frosty glass.