Background
When Diageo’s Guinness Open Gate Brewery in London began looking for a solution to keep customers comfortable beneath a five-metre-high open-sided canopy, they approached Terrazzo Screens for advice.
The challenge was clear: provide an effective heating solution capable of delivering comfortable warmth from an unusually high mounting position. They were also looking to protect their customers from the wind to create a more enjoyable and comfortable outdoor drinking experience throughout the colder months.
The Challenge
Traditional hospitality patio heaters simply weren’t capable of providing effective radiant heat from over five metres above the seating area. Any solution needed to:
- Deliver comfortable warmth from a 5m mounting height.
- Operate effectively and efficiently within a large open-sided canopy.
- Integrate seamlessly into the brewery’s premium environment.
- Provide flexible control over different seating areas.
- Complement the venue’s distinctive Guinness branding.
The Heating Solution
Following our assessment, we recommended our HeatLogik® 6kW high-level radiant heaters. These are a powerful industrial-grade heating solution capable of delivering effective warmth from a height of five metres.
As this type of heater is rarely used within a hospitality environment, Guinness / Diageo, requested to experience the system before committing to the project. Rather than arranging a visit to an industrial installation, we recreated the proposed installation within our own warehouse in Colchester, mounting the heater at the intended five-metre height.
Guinness / Diageo visited our facilities to experience the system first-hand and immediately recognised its effectiveness, giving them complete confidence that it would achieve the desired result.
Designing the Heating Installation
Following a detailed site survey, we prepared a full proposal covering both the heating system and electrical controls.
Once it had been confirmed that sufficient electrical capacity was available, we supplied:
- Bespoke black HeatLogik® 6kW radiant heaters to blend into the canopy structure.
- A custom-built control panel.
- Three independently controlled heating zones, allowing staff to operate only the areas required, improving efficiency while maintaining customer comfort.
The heater installation is currently being completed and this case study will be updated with photographs of the finished project.
The Windbreak-Planter Solution
Alongside the heating project, Guinness also wanted to improve customer comfort by reducing wind across its outdoor seating area while enhancing the visual appearance of the terrace.
Terrazzo Screens designed and supplied a series of Guinness-branded height-adjustable windbreak planters, combining functionality with strong brand presence.
Working closely with the Guinness marketing team, we developed a bespoke branding scheme that perfectly complemented the venue and reflected the iconic Guinness identity.
The finished result provides:
- Increased shelter from the wind.
- Improved customer comfort.
- Enhanced outdoor ambience.
- Strong Guinness branding throughout the terrace.
- A flexible solution that can adapt to changing weather conditions.
The Outcome
Together, the heating and windbreak systems create an outdoor environment that customers can enjoy for much longer throughout the year, helping Guinness maximise the use of its external hospitality space while delivering a more comfortable and memorable visitor experience.
