Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Cork Insulation and Photovoltaic Panels Shape a Sustainable Tasting Room Experience

Authors:
Andrea Bartocci, Matteo Giammusso
Cork Insulation and Photovoltaic Panels Shape a Sustainable Tasting Room Experience

Project in-detail

Incorporating cork insulation and photovoltaic panels, the tasting room offers a sustainable and immersive wine experience while seamlessly connecting visitors with the surrounding vineyard landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cork insulation enhances thermal efficiency while promoting sustainability.
02
Photovoltaic panels supply the building's energy needs, reducing environmental impact.
03
A large communal table promotes interaction among visitors, enhancing the tasting experience.
04
The elevation change of six meters connects the building with the vineyard landscape.
05
The design draws inspiration from traditional rural architecture, rooted in local context.

Quinta do Monte d'Oiro introduces a thoughtful approach to wine tourism in the heart of Portugal. Set in a picturesque vineyard, the tasting room acts as a focal point for visitors to experience both the process of winemaking and the surrounding landscape. Its design emphasizes ongoing interaction with nature and the wine culture, creating a space that is both functional and inviting.

Spatial Organization

The layout carefully divides different areas within the facility. A service area is separated from the main tasting room by an equipped wall, which helps maintain an organized workflow. This arrangement guides visitors as they move through the space, ensuring a smooth experience. A large communal table at the center of the tasting room encourages guests to gather and interact, promoting a sense of connection.

Topographical Response

The site features a six-meter elevation change that separates the vineyards from the winery. The design skillfully addresses this difference in height, allowing the building to relate closely to its surroundings. This connection invites visitors to engage with both the architecture and the landscape, enhancing their connection to the process of winemaking.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability plays an important role in the design choices made for the tasting room. Photovoltaic panels provide the energy needed for operations, indicating a focus on reducing environmental impact. Additionally, cork insulation is used to improve energy efficiency. These elements reflect a commitment to creating a sustainable space that respects both the landscape and the resources it uses.

Environmental Control

Windows are positioned to allow for cross-ventilation, bringing fresh air into the tasting room. This design feature helps maintain a comfortable environment, reducing the need for mechanical cooling or heating systems. With a focus on natural airflow, the room offers a pleasant experience for visitors, particularly during busy periods in the tourist season.

The architectural design draws from traditional rural styles, connecting naturally with its environment. It guides visitors through a landscape that is both captivating and educational, creating an engaging atmosphere that highlights the connection between the wine and its origins.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy