In Collaboration with Conduit Architecture & Design, LLC.
and SpawGlass Construction
Introduction
Red Dot Buildings Enhances Tupps Brewery with a
Multi-Purpose Production Facility in McKinney, Texas
Tupps Brewery in McKinney, Texas, embarked on an ambitious project to expand its facilities with a new production building that would serve multiple purposes. Red Dot Buildings, known for its expertise in pre-engineered metal structures, was selected to design and construct this facility. The project presented unique challenges, including integrating a modern design with existing structures and accommodating various functional needs. This case study explores how Red Dot Buildings, alongside general contractor SpawGlass Construction, successfully delivered a complete solution through innovative design and collaboration.
Located in the heart of a rapidly growing city, the Tupps Brewery production building needed to reflect McKinney’s vibrant community spirit while addressing the practical requirements of a modern brewery. The goal was to create a space that seamlessly blended industrial functionality with public accessibility, offering an environment where production processes, office operations, and community events could co-exist. This approach required the perfect balance between aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency, ensuring that the facility could serve as a hub for both brewery activities and local gatherings.
From the start of the project, Red Dot Buildings recognized the importance of preserving the historical character of the site. The brewery’s location in downtown McKinney, with its rich architectural history, needed a design that would honor the past while paving the way for future growth. This meant combining existing structures with new construction in a manner that respected the area’s legacy. Red Dot Buildings approached this challenge with a straightforward plan and a focus on quality, using cutting-edge technology and creative design ideas to build something that not only met but exceeded the project’s ambitious goals.
Challenges
BALANCING MODERN DESIGN
AND HERITAGE
The Tupps Brewery project faced several challenges right from the start. The location in downtown McKinney meant Red Dot Buildings had to keep the old buildings and integrate them with the new ones to maintain the historic look of the area. Darrell Geisendorff, VP of Sales at Red Dot Buildings, highlighted the need to renovate some existing structures while incorporating new elements that would blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The project also needed to balance the brewery’s functional requirements—such as production, storage, and office space—with areas for entertainment and public interaction.
“Trying to balance the city’s expectations with the needs of a brewery and recreation site, including the looks, styles, and everything else they wanted, was hard to mesh together.”
- Eric Ciskowski - Principal,
Conduit Architecture & Design
One of the most significant engineering challenges was the design of the mezzanine. As Matt Lewis, Director of Engineering at Red Dot Buildings, explained, the mezzanine had a cantilevered section with no supporting column beneath it, which presented a unique structural challenge. “Our normal design software is primarily for designing rectangles with possible openings, but it doesn’t handle complex framing or non-uniform loading well,” Lewis stated. The mezzanine required varying load capacities, with parts of it needing to support 100%, 50%, and 60% of standard loadings. This complexity necessitated advanced software to accurately model and design the structure.
Erik Ciskowski, Principal at Conduit Architecture & Design, also noted the complexity of the public-private partnership involved in the project, with both the City of McKinney and Tupps Brewery having distinct objectives. The design had to meet architectural standards while still fitting the brewery’s vision for a practical, industrial look and feel.
“Trying to balance the city’s expectations with the needs of a brewery and recreation site, including the looks, styles, and everything else they wanted, was hard to mesh together,”
proclaimed Ciskowski.
Discover the full story and learn how we delivered exceptional results—download our detailed case study today!