{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 12: Building communities through breweries: An interview with SUM Design","description":"  The first time I visited Ex Novo, a brewery in Portland, Oregon, I was struck by its design. It felt\u2026designed. It wasn\u2019t a cold space with some chairs and stuff thrown together. There was some thought put into it. From where we sat, we could see the brew tanks, bar action, interesting lighting, the space flowed so\u2026design. The next day I hopped online and did a search to see if it was the IPA talking or if there was a design firm behind it. Sure enough. That\u2019s where I found the website for Sum Design Studio. I emailed them and started a conversation with principal Matthew Loosemore. His firm is not only behind the design of Ex Novo, but also Cascade Brewery and Commons Brewery (he\u2019s also part owner). Over beers, naturally, we talked brewery design, how and why he got into designing breweries, how beer builds communities, and\u2026Spokane, Washington\u2019s downtown. I like to think this episode is a replicate of that conversation, a bit more sober, but hopefully still interesting. From there, Loosemore\u2019s firm has designed everything from residential to commercial to mixed-use projects. And of course, breweries. Loosemore explains how they got started on that path and the niche he\u2019s filling. Are certain kinds of buildings more suited for a brewery? The first time Loosemore stepped into what is now Ex Novo, he knew right away. If you\u2019ve listened to Built Blocks for the last year, you\u2019ll get my obsession with adaptive reuse. Older buildings with new lives. Nowhere is that more evident than with breweries and taprooms. Beer, community, and creating great neighborhoods. The two go hand in hand. Why is that? How is beer a community builder? Growing up in Spokane Switching gears \u2013 to downtown Spokane, Washington. Home of the 74 Expo. Burned to the ground in the late 1800s. I had the chance to visit a couple years back and was struck with a solid downtown core and interesting architecture stock. Lots of 2-4 story brick, turn of the century stuff. As a Spokane native, I wanted Loosemore\u2019s take on its potential. Music courtesy of Sounds like an Earful from Creative Commons Vol. 1 (Check them out \u2013 they have a slew of great, free music.)   ","author_name":"Built Blocks","author_url":"https:\/\/www.johnchilson.org\/","html":"