Breathe has joined forces with Four Pillars Gin to create a new, immersive gin experience in their birthplace, Healesville. Born and raised in this stunning part of the Yarra Valley surrounded by mountains, temperate rainforest, oaks, and elms, throughout the design we acknowledge Four Pillars’ origin, their history, and their deep connection to the place where it all began. 

While nearly tripling capacity for visitors, the expansion delivers a much-needed new production space, gin garden, tuckshop, gin shop, a custom-built bar, and events space cementing Four Pillars as the largest gin-focussed distillery in Australia. 

The new distillery was designed not to just to increase production capacity, but also to champion Four Pillars’ future, taking their place on the world stage as a global leader in quality, craft, gin. It is a place where curious visitors and connoisseurs alike can engage with the entire distillation and bottling process while enjoying an exceptional food and beverage experience. 

Four Pillars’ award-winning distillation process starts with native and exotic botanicals so it made sense for their new distillery to be designed to celebrate the lush landscape that it sits within. Natural biodiverse gardens beyond the site are wrapped up and woven into each building.

A stunning copper veil wraps around the new distillery, unifying the site. Made from the same material as the gin stills inside, the veil works as a natural heat exchanger, reducing energy consumption. At times, particularly in winter, steam can be seen rising from the veil creating an iconic entry moment. 

A central courtyard featuring ground cover planting creates a verdant welcome. The “chai river" runs through the courtyard cooling the stillage water while the spiced scent emanates through the space. 

Delicious botanical aromas punctuate the air as visitors walk between the old distillery and the new, crisp, textured masonry hall that houses the bar, restaurant, and garden. A custom copper bar acts as the centrepiece producing fabulous cocktails and gin drinks. 

This project will see Four Pillars continue their commitment to sustainability and community with the implementation of new initiatives and the creation of countless local jobs.⁠⁠ Four Pillars is now Australia’s first carbon neutral gin business. 100% fossil fuel-free, sustainability has been embedded throughout from the copper veil, the 100 kW solar rooftop, recycled masonry to a restrained and crafted natural material palette that infuses hints of nature into this exceptional distillery installation. Ongoing waste minimisation was important. All steel, concrete, and timber waste was recycled during construction. None of the excavation went to landfill. Gin is piped directly into the main bar from production through featured copper pipes that will save 29 tonnes of glass per year. 

This project sees Four Pillars create an energetic hospitality destination to complement their incredible spirit.