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Fieldstone Walls and Grapewood Screens Enhancing Social Spaces in a Vineyard Setting

Author:
Niall Cain
Fieldstone Walls and Grapewood Screens Enhancing Social Spaces in a Vineyard Setting

Project in-detail

Local fieldstone combined with sliding grapewood screens creates an adaptable space for wine production and social gatherings amidst the vineyard landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Local fieldstone walls provide a robust structural aesthetic.
02
Sliding grapewood screens enhance flexibility and natural ventilation.
03
Interior serving counters are integrated within thick stone walls.
04
Landscape features native grasses and wildflowers to support biodiversity.
05
Proposed solar panels aim for energy efficiency in wine production.

Vinyard View is a contemporary building located in the scenic backdrop of a vineyard. It combines the needs of wine production with spaces designed for socializing and enjoying the surroundings. The design focuses on creating a connection between the building and the landscape while using both modern and traditional design elements. This approach honors the local context and enhances the overall experience of visitors.

Materiality

Materials play a significant role in shaping the character of Vinyard View. Local fieldstone is used to form a solid base, grounding the structure in its environment. Portuguese limestone is chosen for the paving, complementing the natural tones of the vineyard. Terracotta tiles on the roof reference the region’s agricultural history. Reclaimed oak adds warmth to the interiors, showing a commitment to sustainability by minimizing the need for new materials. Grapewood vines are utilized in the sliding screens, strengthening the connection to the vineyard and tying the building to its purpose.

Spatial Configuration

The internal layout emphasizes practical use and flow. Spaces are organized for storage, wine displays, and social gatherings, encouraging interaction among visitors. The fieldstone walls are modified to create integrated surfaces for serving, enhancing functionality while maintaining aesthetic unity. This arrangement allows the space to adapt to different activities, ensuring a welcoming environment for those who come to enjoy the wine and scenery.

Landscaping and Integration

The landscaping complements the building's design and strengthens its ties to the natural landscape. Native grasses and wildflowers are incorporated, supporting local wildlife and enhancing the site's beauty. This design choice encourages visitors to explore and appreciate the natural surroundings, creating a setting that feels both inviting and connected. The landscaping acts as a natural boundary, integrating the building into the vineyard's environment.

Elevational Expression

The building’s elevations express a clear architectural vision that fosters openness and engagement. The south side features sliding screens made from grapewood, accented by ornamental grass plantings, enhancing the connection to the vineyard. The west side follows suit with similar elements, creating visual harmony. The eastern elevation introduces a black metal chimney, offering a modern contrast to the stone. Each elevation has been carefully designed to contribute to a coherent overall look.

Thick stone slabs extend from the interior walls, serving as practical counters that blend with the fieldstone, reinforcing the theme of material continuity throughout the building.

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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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