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Circular Wall Highlights Concrete and Wood Tasting Room Experience

Authors:
Hao Zhang, Shujian Sun
Circular Wall Highlights Concrete and Wood Tasting Room Experience

Project in-detail

The circular wall creates a striking entry to a tasting room that merges concrete and wood materials with expansive windows, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural landscape while enjoying the winery experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular wall serves as a prominent entry feature, drawing visitors in.
02
Large southern-facing windows disappear when opened, merging interior and exterior.
03
The transition space includes a skylight, enhancing natural light without external views.
04
A communal table accommodates thirty people, promoting interaction among guests.
05
Concrete walls provide durability while contrasting with warm wooden elements.

The Monte D'Oiro Wine Tasting Room is located in the northwest area of a winery, designed to create a strong bond between the interior and the surrounding vineyards. The structure features a low-profile entrance, inviting visitors to approach and explore further. Its design concept focuses on enhancing the experience of wine tasting by blending with the natural environment, allowing for greater interaction with the landscape.

Architectural Form and Entry Experience

The façade has a low opening, providing only a partial view of the building initially. A circular wall acts as both a focal point and the main entrance, appearing as if it has been carved from the main structure. This design element piques the curiosity of visitors, guiding them toward the transition space that leads into the tasting room.

Transition Space and Functionality

Upon entering, visitors find a relatively closed transition area that includes essential features like wardrobes, washstands, and cabinets. A skylight brings in natural light, creating a warm atmosphere. The four high walls define the space and lead guests directly into the main tasting room. This arrangement enhances the experience, preparing visitors for the communal setting that awaits them.

Tasting Room Design and Interaction with Nature

The primary feature of the wine tasting room is a large table that accommodates thirty people. This layout encourages interactions among guests. Large windows on the southern side offer views of the vineyards. The distinct positioning of the window frames helps to connect the inside with the outside. When the windows are open, boundaries fade away, inviting in fresh air, sunshine, and the pleasant aromas of the vineyard.

Materiality and Aesthetic Details

Concrete is used for the structural walls, providing a solid yet understated look. Wooden elements appear in the window frames and furniture, creating a visual contrast. The windows feature double safety glazing, improving thermal insulation while maintaining a clear view to the outdoors. The ceramic floor tiles are practical and contribute to the overall appearance. Additionally, a drainage system integrated into the roof channels rainwater alongside the large window, enriching the internal environment.

Natural light filtering through the skylight illuminates the space, creating changing patterns on the surfaces. This enhances the wine tasting experience by merging the indoor atmosphere with the beauty of the outdoor landscape, providing an inviting and memorable setting.

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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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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