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Cork Insulation and Retractable Glass Create a Dynamic Winery Experience

Authors:
Marco Del bene, Massimiliano Pignat
Cork Insulation and Retractable Glass Create a Dynamic Winery Experience

Project in-detail

The retractable glass wall and local stone integration enhance the winery's connection to its landscape, while cork insulation and thermowood elements contribute to sustainability and comfort in the tasting experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Retractable glass wall integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing vineyard views.
02
Local stone masonry connects the winery to traditional winemaking heritage.
03
Cork insulation layers improve energy efficiency and acoustic performance.
04
Thermowood paneling adds warmth and durability while minimizing environmental impact.
05
Panoramic tasting room encourages deeper engagement with the surrounding landscape.

The design features a winery that harmonizes the essential functions of winemaking with a deep appreciation for its scenic vineyard setting. Its architecture aims to enhance the experience of guests by focusing on three core ideas: view, taste, and environment. Each area of the facility is carefully arranged, influencing how visitors interact with the space and each other.

Spatial Organization

The layout consists of distinct areas that contribute to the overall visitor experience. The tasting room acts as the heart of the winery, positioned to connect guests with both the interior of the building and the stunning landscape outside. Well-structured pathways guide visitors through the various spaces, ensuring easy navigation while promoting engagement with the surroundings.

Material Selection

Materials chosen for the construction reflect a commitment to durability and local craftsmanship. A local stone wall establishes a connection to traditional wine production and adds a sense of history to the design. Concrete is used for the pavement due to its strength and low upkeep needs, making it suitable for a facility frequented by visitors.

Sustainable Features

The winery also emphasizes sustainability in its design. The architecture uses insulation layers and waterproofing to protect against the elements. The reinforced concrete foundation enhances the building's stability, ensuring it can withstand environmental conditions. Features such as a vapor barrier and double layers of cork insulation further support energy efficiency and maintain a comfortable environment throughout the year.

Design Details

One of the most notable aspects is the large glass wall oriented southwest, offering superb views of the vineyard. This feature allows the interior to connect visually with the landscape beyond. Remarkably, the glass wall can retract, blending the indoor environment with the outdoor scenery. This flexibility enhances the tasting experience, inviting guests to enjoy wine while fully immersed in the lush vineyard surroundings.

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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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