# Pointy Distillery Designs BE_Design Debuts Virunga Mountain Spirits Distillery & Agro-Tourism Site By Kalin Ned | Published 2025-07-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/agrotourism-site References: [v2com-newswire](https://www.v2com-newswire.com/en/newsroom/categories/commercial-architecture/press-kits/7043-02/be_design-virunga-mountain-spirits) The Virunga Mountain Spirits distillery and agro-tourism site was designed by BE_Design. This building presents a striking example of sustainable commercial architecture that harmonizes with its natural and cultural surroundings. Located in Musanze, Rwanda, near the iconic Virunga volcanoes, the facility serves as both a [production hub for locally crafted spirits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grasmere-distillery) and a destination for tourists visiting the region. The agro-tourism site is placed along a busy route that is frequented by farmers transporting goods and travelers en route to see mountain gorillas. This positions Virunga Mountain Spirits as a vital link between local agriculture and tourism. The 1,100-square-meter structure features a central distillery room enclosed in a semi-transparent volume, allowing natural light to illuminate the impressive 10-meter copper and stainless steel vodka still. Surrounding this core are thick volcanic rock walls, which house functional spaces such as offices, a [bottling area](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-blending-house), a tasting room, and retail spaces. Image Credit: Bruce Engel ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 43% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sustainable Commercial Architecture:** Sustainable commercial architecture blends environmental responsibility with aesthetic appeal, offering opportunities for eco-friendly design in hospitality and manufacturing sectors. - **Local Craft Spirits Production:** A resurgence in local craft spirits production taps into the growing consumer preference for regionally-sourced and culturally-authentic products. - **Integrated Agro-tourism Experiences:** Integrating agro-tourism with production facilities provides travelers authentic experiences while supporting local economies through agriculture-tourism synergy. - **Natural Material Construction:** The use of natural materials like volcanic rock in construction exemplifies innovative building practices that enhance sustainability and cultural connection. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture and Design:** Innovations in architecture and design can focus on sustainable practices that merge functionality with cultural and environmental harmony. - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry has the potential to expand by creating locally-inspired craft spirits and integrating immersive visitor experiences. - **Tourism:** Tourism is poised to benefit from destinations that combine production facilities with experiential travel, offering unique attractions linked to regional culture and nature. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Metaverse Distilleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metaverse-distillery.md) - [Visible Craft Distilling Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spitalfields-distillery.md) - [Altitude-Distilled Spirit Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elevated-spirits.md) - [Concealed Modern Barrel Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-nine-architects.md) - [Grocery Store-Converted Breweries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dassai-brewery.md) - [Creative Collectible Spirits Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collectible-spirits-bottle.md) - [State-of-the-Art Gin Distilleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edinburgh-gins-new-distillery.md) - [Mezcal-Producing Industrial Facilities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mezcal-palenque.md) - [Premium Organic Spirits Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Eight-Lands.md)