Siebel Institute of Technology

The new west loop home for the Siebel Institute of Technology's world-renowned brewing school is a dynamic space that is part classroom, part workspace, part museum and full-service brewery.  Inspired by the Prohibition-era Chicago speakeasy, monochromatic colors, exposed brick, metal accents and hexagonal metro tile of the bar create the first impression from the front window on Green street.  A few steps inside, the Institute's reception area showcases a tambour wood reception desk, herringbone wood floor, and brass-trimmed shelves hosting artifacts from the school's storied past.  Behind the reception desk and past a metal mesh curtain, a full office suite allows employees to work privately while remaining centrally located on the floor.  The office suite is surrounded by two 'conventional' classrooms with full audiovisual capabilities and flexible seating to allow for traditional study or lab work.  The most prominent classroom is anything but conventional: it's a full-featured pilot brewery, outfitted with four massive stainless steel kettles and a rooftop chiller.  Installing a brewery alongside classroom and office spaces was an unconventional enough challenge that it entailed obtaining special permits from the city. Add in fire separation requirements, power consumption considerations and only 8,000 square feet of space to play with, and it's all the more remarkable that all of these pieces co-exist so cohesively, beautifully and complementary in their function.

The Siebel Institute of Technology’s new home for its world-renowned brewing school in Chicago's West Loop is a dynamic space comprised of a classroom, workspace, museum, brewery and bar. The new space embraces the institute's 148-year history, featuring a tasting room and demonstration space that evoke the aura of a Prohibition-era Chicago speakeasy.