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Carbonized Oak and Cypress Pathways Enhance a Sustainable Winery Experience

Authors:
João Varela, Ana Isabel Santos, Paulo Dias
Carbonized Oak and Cypress Pathways Enhance a Sustainable Winery Experience
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A carbonized oak bookcase and cypress-lined pathways create a distinctive blend of sustainability and heritage at this winery, enhancing the overall visitor experience through thoughtful architectural integration.
5 key facts about this project
01
The winery incorporates a carbonized oak bookcase that showcases the estate’s wines.
02
Cypress-lined pathways guide visitors through the historic and modern areas of the estate.
03
Production facilities feature advanced fermentation technology to ensure high-quality wine.
04
The design merges characteristics of a cellar and a library in the tasting room.
05
Large openings in the wine tasting room enhance natural ventilation and light.

Quinta do Monte D'Oiro is located in Alenquer, Portugal, within a historic wine estate that covers about 42 hectares, of which 30 hectares are dedicated to vineyards. This site focuses on high-quality grape production while integrating modern design elements that honor its rich history. The design concept aims to improve visitor experiences and production efficiency through a thoughtful connection between the landscape and the facilities.

Building Design

The winery, constructed in 2001, serves as a key part of wine production. It features advanced fermentation technology and includes new oak barrels for aging. These choices ensure that the wine remains of high quality throughout the process. The layout of the building emphasizes functionality, allowing for an efficient workflow that supports various stages of winemaking.

Visitor Experience

Visitors arrive via a cypress-lined path that connects the historical areas of the estate with the newer facilities. This pathway not only maintains the importance of the estate’s history but also guides guests on a journey through the property. As visitors walk along this route, they can appreciate the beauty and significance of both the landscape and the architecture.

Wine Tasting Room

The wine tasting room is designed to enhance the experience of both production and enjoyment. It combines aspects of a cellar and a wine library, creating a unique environment for guests. Large windows allow natural light to flow in, making the space feel welcoming and comfortable throughout the seasons. A notable feature is the carbonized oak bookcase, which displays the estate’s wines and adds to the room's overall charm.

The design vision blends modern structures with the surrounding environment in a way that highlights the estate's commitment to high-quality winemaking and visitor engagement. This careful attention to detail encourages an appreciation for both the process of winemaking and the final product.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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