A Warsaw Chocolate Factory Turns Production Into An Immersive Experience

E. Wedel is like the Polish equivalent of Hershey’s: Both have been specializing in chocolate-making since the 19th century. In anticipation of the former’s 175th anniversary this year, the Warsaw confectionery opened the Chocolate Factory E. Wedel, which tastefully combines a museum to chocolate with facilities for its production, all housed in former cocoa silos that have been converted by BiM Architekci and total 86,000 square feet. Uniform, candylike squares of cocoa-colored bricks appoint the facade, while inside is a multisensorial, interactive journey conceived by WWAA, in collaboration with BiM. Abandoning traditional glass displays, visitors large and small can watch active production lines through glazed openings and follow a nonlinear path through six floors to explore cocoa cultivation, brand history, and packaging through movement, light, scent, and, of course, tastings.