Virunga Mountain Spirits
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 ARCHITECTURE / Industrial Architecture | ARCHITECTURE / Mixed-Use Building Architecture
Company Name:Be_Design
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Bruce Engel
Architecture Firm:Be_Design
Construction Company:Rwanda Village Enterprise
Client Name:Virunga Mountain Spirits
Photo Credit:Bruce Engel
Project Location:Musanze, Rwanda
Design Status:Completed
Website: View
Project Description:
Set in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes in Musanze, Rwanda, this 1,100 sqm distillery and agro-tourism destination for Virunga Mountain Spirits—a women-led company advancing economic empowerment—serves both local farmers and the region’s growing tourism economy. Positioned along a busy route to Volcanoes National Park, the project engages passing agricultural and tourist traffic alike. At its core, a transparent, light-filled distillery showcases a 10-metre-tall copper and stainless steel still, making production visible to visitors and passers-by. This central volume is wrapped by thick volcanic stone walls that contain supporting functions, including offices, storage, packaging, kitchen, bar, tasting room, reception, and retail. The building’s geometry draws from the surrounding volcanic landscape and the patterns of traditional Imigongo art, translating local cultural identity into a contemporary architectural expression.
Set in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes in Musanze, Rwanda, this 1,100 sqm distillery and agro-tourism destination for Virunga Mountain Spirits—a women-led company advancing economic empowerment—serves both local farmers and the region’s growing tourism economy. Positioned along a busy route to Volcanoes National Park, the project engages passing agricultural and tourist traffic alike. At its core, a transparent, light-filled distillery showcases a 10-metre-tall copper and stainless steel still, making production visible to visitors and passers-by. This central volume is wrapped by thick volcanic stone walls that contain supporting functions, including offices, storage, packaging, kitchen, bar, tasting room, reception, and retail. The building’s geometry draws from the surrounding volcanic landscape and the patterns of traditional Imigongo art, translating local cultural identity into a contemporary architectural expression.
Project Innovation / Specification:
The project rethinks the separation between industrial production and public experience by placing distillation at the architectural and experiential core. Rather than concealing infrastructure, the design celebrates it, transforming the 10-metre-tall still into a visible, educational, and symbolic centerpiece. A key challenge was balancing production efficiency with a compelling visitor experience. This is resolved through a layered spatial strategy, where a transparent central volume brings daylight into the distillery while offering visibility from multiple vantage points. Visitors engage directly with the process, strengthening connections between product, place, and people. Thick volcanic stone walls provide thermal mass, passive climate control, and acoustic buffering, supporting efficient operations while framing the luminous core. The geometry draws from the surrounding Virunga volcanoes and traditional Imigongo patterns, translating cultural references into contemporary forms. Innovation extends to construction, with locally sourced materials, a local workforce, and integrated training—making the building process itself a driver of social and economic impact.
The project rethinks the separation between industrial production and public experience by placing distillation at the architectural and experiential core. Rather than concealing infrastructure, the design celebrates it, transforming the 10-metre-tall still into a visible, educational, and symbolic centerpiece. A key challenge was balancing production efficiency with a compelling visitor experience. This is resolved through a layered spatial strategy, where a transparent central volume brings daylight into the distillery while offering visibility from multiple vantage points. Visitors engage directly with the process, strengthening connections between product, place, and people. Thick volcanic stone walls provide thermal mass, passive climate control, and acoustic buffering, supporting efficient operations while framing the luminous core. The geometry draws from the surrounding Virunga volcanoes and traditional Imigongo patterns, translating cultural references into contemporary forms. Innovation extends to construction, with locally sourced materials, a local workforce, and integrated training—making the building process itself a driver of social and economic impact.
Project Sustainability Approach:
The project minimizes environmental impact through a focus on local materials, passive design, and long-term durability. Locally sourced volcanic stone reduces transportation emissions while providing high thermal mass for natural temperature regulation. A central translucent volume maximizes daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. The compact integration of production and hospitality improves spatial and resource efficiency, while durable construction reduces maintenance and waste over time. Together, these strategies lower embodied and operational carbon, offering a resilient and resource-conscious alternative to conventional industrial buildings.
The project minimizes environmental impact through a focus on local materials, passive design, and long-term durability. Locally sourced volcanic stone reduces transportation emissions while providing high thermal mass for natural temperature regulation. A central translucent volume maximizes daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. The compact integration of production and hospitality improves spatial and resource efficiency, while durable construction reduces maintenance and waste over time. Together, these strategies lower embodied and operational carbon, offering a resilient and resource-conscious alternative to conventional industrial buildings.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
The project strengthens the regional economy by linking agricultural production with tourism, supporting local farmers through a reliable supply chain while attracting visitors en route to Volcanoes National Park. It creates employment opportunities through a locally based construction process, with approximately 35% female workforce participation. On-site training provided workers with valuable skills, stable income, and long-term economic opportunity. By integrating production, hospitality, and retail in one facility, the project fosters community engagement and establishes a visible platform for locally made products within both regional and international markets.
The project strengthens the regional economy by linking agricultural production with tourism, supporting local farmers through a reliable supply chain while attracting visitors en route to Volcanoes National Park. It creates employment opportunities through a locally based construction process, with approximately 35% female workforce participation. On-site training provided workers with valuable skills, stable income, and long-term economic opportunity. By integrating production, hospitality, and retail in one facility, the project fosters community engagement and establishes a visible platform for locally made products within both regional and international markets.
Company Name:Be_Design
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Bruce Engel
