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Dark Wood Louvers Framing a Sensory Journey in a Natural Tasting Space

Authors:
Sooji Han, Joohee Lee
Dark Wood Louvers Framing a Sensory Journey in a Natural Tasting Space

Project in-detail

Dark wooden louvers create a harmonious dialogue between interior space and the surrounding vineyards, enhancing sensory experiences within a tasting room designed to immerse visitors in nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Dark wooden louvers create intricate light patterns, enhancing the ambiance of the tasting room.
02
The design incorporates a gradual descent, reflecting a journey from village to nature.
03
Natural topography informs the layout, optimizing views of surrounding vineyards.
04
The tasting room opens to a courtyard, promoting indoor-outdoor connection.
05
Black concrete is used to emphasize contrasts with the vibrant landscape.

The Unknown Ground is an architectural design that connects wine tasting with the natural landscape. Located near a winery and a village, the setting takes advantage of the surrounding terrain to enhance the experience. The design focuses on creating a space that invites visitors to step away from their daily routines and immerse themselves in the interplay between nature and wine.

Topographical Integration
The site embraces its existing terrain in a way that engages visitors at various levels. The layout features two sides bordering the winery and village, while the other two sides open up to expansive natural areas. This thoughtful arrangement offers views that draw people into the landscape. A gradual approach guides visitors from the brightness of the village into an atmosphere that becomes darker and more introspective, marking a significant transition as they enter the tasting area.

Spatial Organization
Inside, the building consists of three connected spaces: an approach area, a transition space, and the main tasting room. The approach area includes a narrow staircase that leads down, creating a sense of movement and discovery. This transition from a familiar to an unfamiliar space will prompt visitors to engage with their surroundings. The transition space is designed to be functional, with areas that serve guests while awakening their senses. Unique textures and interesting lighting create an environment that encourages contemplation.

Tasting Room Experience
The tasting room is the centerpiece of the design, opening toward the vineyards and courtyard. This orientation allows for clear views of the surrounding landscape, fostering a welcoming setting for wine enjoyment. Natural light flows into the room, changing the atmosphere at different times of the day. Visitors can connect with both the wine and the land it comes from, deepening their overall experience of the tasting.

Material Consideration
Material choices are essential in this design, contributing to the connection with the environment. The use of black concrete and dark wooden louvers creates a backdrop for the vibrant natural landscape. The louvers play a functional role, allowing for variations in light that enhance the ambiance inside the tasting room.

The design encourages visitors to look outside, merging indoor and outdoor experiences. This connection brings the beauty of the vineyards inside, allowing for a quiet and thoughtful wine tasting experience.

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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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