Having a choice can be incredibly powerful, and having personal agency over your surroundings can be life changing.

Unfortunately this is something that many people don’t regularly experience. Second Dawn Brewing aims to change this and give people the opportunity to drink a variety of beverages in an environment that encourages people to sit and relax and enjoy the space—the way they want to experience it.

The ideas of choice, flexibility, and agency in regards to how you use a space, are not adjectives normally associated with breweries. They are usually usually loud, group centered experiences with industrial vibes that are designed for your average beer drinker—the white, straight, cis male.  When a space centers around the experience of the dominant culture — in the U.S. that is whiteness, aka a "white space." A white space is one that creates and promotes an unquestioned assumption of what is “normal.” By doing so, they often exclude those who do not fit within those boundaries. 

Converting an existing auto body shop into a brewery allowed us to investigate the impact that these types of spaces have on those who don’t fit the typical mold. Whiteness manifests itself in a physical space through commonly accepted design elements and values. Some of these elements include the open space plan (which can make it feel like you’re constantly being watched), perfectionism (a design value that can create feelings of insecurity of not being perfect yourself), minimalism (an aesthetic that is based around ideas of exclusion, and the segregation of the use of a space, specifically in regards to accessibility that can trigger issues of ableism).

Our design breaks down each of these elements and mitigates the barriers each of these elements create. For example, in combating the feelings of surveillance within an open space, we provide defined spaces that allow for a greater sense of privacy, and seating options that offer the option for both individual and group experiences. To reduce feelings of insecurity that are created when perfectionism is a value, we did not cover up the grease stains, concrete patching, dents, utility covers, and general wear and tear that are common in auto body shops. Instead we embraced the imperfections as a way of celebrating the history of the space. Rather than providing a more industrial and minimal aesthetic, we filled the space with color, texture, patterns. We played with the use of curves, and used more home furnishings and features that evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort. 

Additionally, providing a truly inclusive space required making accessibility an integral part of the design from the start, not as a code requirement achieved with the bare minimum compliance. We completely removed any steps or stairs and created a main entry ramp for all patrons to use. The bar countertop also features multiple levels to offer seating for people at varying heights, capabilities, and preferences. We practiced mindfulness at every stage of this design with the goal of creating an inclusive experience within a space where no one has to question if something is for them.

Further, inclusion requires you to be able to see yourself within a space, which led to the concept of framing. Starting with using wood elements to frame the existing garage door openings, we investigated how framing can be used to capture and enhance views, to showcase our memories and histories, bracket our mindsets, and focus our attention. The simple element of a frame provides subtle opportunities to provide reflection of ourselves, our spaces, and our experience within this space. 

Lastly, creating a space that is truly inclusive and equitable is both an issue of design as well as an issue of management. We discussed with our client how critical both elements are in creating a sense of belonging within a space. We discussed ideas of access, hiring practices, being a good neighbor, awareness and intentionally (even through the names of the beverages), developing equitable operating procedures, and identifying inclusive policies.

Second Dawn Brewing strives to change the stigmas surrounding breweries and create an experience that everyone can enjoy in their preferred way. We’ve done this by centering the design around creating a space that provides the opportunity for people to decide for themselves how they want to use and occupy this space. After all, choice is power.