Gubbi Gubbi
Queensland
Sunshine Coast
Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery is an adaptive reuse project that transforms the heritage-listed Joe’s Waterhole in Eumundi into a brewery, restaurant, and beer garden, balancing heritage conservation, sustainability, and contemporary hospitality design.
Designed by Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects, the project reconfigures site circulation, re-establishing a connection between Main Street and a previously underutilised rear landscape, now a publicly accessible, multi-use garden. A series of shed-inspired pavilions reference regional industrial typologies while integrating passive cooling, operable façades, and recycled materials, creating a climatically responsive and adaptable environment.
Sustainability is embedded within the material, structural, and spatial logic, with reclaimed materials, natural ventilation, and minimal intervention strategies informing every decision. The project demonstrates how material-conscious, adaptive reuse can extend the lifespan of existing structures, integrate seamlessly into its urban context, and provide long-term social and architectural value.
This project is a respectful and playful art of retaining the local gathering point in a small, characterful town. l. It has resulted in a successful commercial endeavour that positively activates the main street. The project’s architectural language echoes the original values of its client and its humble origins in a small, corrugated iron structure in Broome, Western Australia, while responding to its new place of business and vision of growth across Australia. This venue has exceeded everyone’s expectations and become a social hub, filled with vitality, for the wider community.
Matso’s Brewing is a unique regional project that serves as a model for sustainable architecture throughout Australia. The architects’ forensic approach in evaluating and documenting the existing fabric has allowed for careful consideration of recycling, reuse and repair of degraded and redundant materials. This approach is most innovative in the upcycling of existing furniture and framing to create bespoke furniture and cabinetry, made in-house by Five Mile Radius. The project demonstrates that this approach can be undertaken whilst meeting budgetary constraints and satisfying the demands of hospitality design. Matso’s brewing stands out as a model for future hospitality projects, combating the excessive waste that short life-cycles create.
The collaboration between Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects (now Knight Office and Dan Wilson) has allowed emerging architects from smaller offices to combine resources and use their different skills and expertise to deliver a commercial project at a scale larger than many emerging practices typically are able to. This project serves as a model for other emerging architects to demonstrate how the values of the emerging demographic can be platformed in meaningful projects.
Matso’s Brewery on the Sunshine Coast exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to sustainable architecture, seamlessly blending ecological responsibility with the rich craft of brewing. Designed to harmonise with its challenging site, the project integrates passive design strategies, local materials, and energy-efficient systems to minimise its environmental footprint while enhancing operational efficiency. The brewery leverages natural ventilation, solar energy, and water conservation techniques to create a low-impact yet high-performing facility. The design prioritises adaptive reuse to create a space that supports both production and community engagement. This commendation recognises Matso’s Brewery as a model for environmentally conscious industrial design and stands as a testament to the role architecture can play in shaping a more responsible and resilient future.
Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson delivered a modern Australian venue that respects our heritage, embraces sustainability, and connects with the community. Their use of recycled materials and thoughtful design created a cost-effective yet striking space that balances functionality and atmosphere. The project exceeded expectations, blending heritage with contemporary design, and has been incredibly well received by new and returning customers. Five Mile Radius’ commitment to reuse and sustainability shows that circular design is both achievable and commercially viable, making a real positive impact on our brand and the local community.
Tom O’Shea, Project Architect
Clare Kennedy, Design Architect
Daniel Wilson, Design Architect
Kelly Nortje, Graduate of Architecture
Place Design Group, Landscape Consultant
Edge Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
Edge Consulting Engineers, Civil Consultant
Innovative Planning Solutions, Town Planner
Roger Todd, Heritage Consultant
TTM Group, Acoustic Consultant
Plumbing Design & Drafting PTY LTD, Hydraulic Consultant
Caterlink Commercial kitchens and Bars, Kitchen Consultant