Architectonics – Finding beauty in the technical 

Finding beauty in the technical 

PACKAGING DESIGN | ILLUSTRATION

Compass Box came to Kingdom & Sparrow looking for a new design partner for their limited-edition whiskies – a range that exists to push the flavour territories of their core collection to the extreme, and this mindset follows through to their approach to design.

The first bespoke was a limited-edition whisky called ‘Architectonics’, a collaboration between Compass Box and La Maison du Whisky (LMDW), who have been making bespoke whiskies together since 2020.

Every year, LMDW releases their catalogue – a range of exclusive bottlings that are based around a particular theme. The 2024 theme was ‘Foundations’ to highlight the architectural heritage of the spirit industry and this year has special resonance as LMDW celebrates the 20th anniversary of their signature whisky event, Whisky Live Paris.

The Architectonics blend is a nod to 19th-century industrial architecture. Particularly complex, this version is the result of blending a rich, smooth single malt aged in sherry cask with a peated Islay whisky and sweeter, fruitier whiskies aged in bourbon casks.

When it came to the label artwork, Compass Box wanted to show these unique components coming together to form something greater. Likening this to architectural drawings, the aim was to create a geometric and contemporary label that highlights the beauty in the technical.

With this in mind, the Kingdom & Sparrow team developed the composition by overlapping layers of simple shapes, textures and deconstructed architectural elements that all come together to form a unique artwork with grandeur, eye-catching power, and unexpected bells and whistles.

The artwork includes handwritten annotations and technical details like you’d find on a blueprint, as well as architectural references to the Whisky Live Paris venue – La Grande Halle de la Villette – where Architectonics launched in late September.

For the colour palette, the design uses bright, impactful colours to represent the big flavours and fruitier notes, and the grid lines that cut through the artwork speak to the light and refraction from the metalwork within La Grande Halle de la Villette.

Overall the artwork feels bold, beautiful and future-facing – an appropriate feel for the first bespoke under Compass Box’s already iconic new brand.

Architectonics launched at Whisky Live Paris in late September where it received glowing reviews.

“I have been working with Kingdom & Sparrow for a number of months now to reimagine our bespoke whiskies and packaging for some of our gifting and sampling products. Their artistic approach and wide range of in-house capabilities have produced some brilliant work. The creative talent and craft that goes into the designs is impressive and Kingdom & Sparrow are helping to bring the imaginative world of Compass Box to life. The team are also wonderful to work with and I’m looking forward to future projects together.” – Hannah Ogg, Brand Manager – Innovation