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French Oak Chandelier and Traditional Tiles in a Vineyard Tasting Room

Author:
Savannah Carrick
French Oak Chandelier and Traditional Tiles in a Vineyard Tasting Room

Project in-detail

A chandelier crafted from reused French oak barrels illuminates a tasting room adorned with traditional Portuguese tiles, providing an inviting space for visitors to engage with the vineyard's offerings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Chandelier made from reused French oak barrels adds a unique focal point.
02
Terrace designed to engage with the hillside and enhance vineyard views.
03
Restrooms feature traditional Portuguese tiles reflecting local culture.
04
Loft space for service staff ensures operational efficiency and guest comfort.
05
Floor-to-ceiling windows maximize natural light and connect interior to exterior.

The proposed tasting room at Quinta do Monte d'Oiro is located in the scenic Lisboa region of Portugal. This building serves the primary function of wine tasting and aims to create a connection between visitors and the surrounding vineyard. The design incorporates modern elements while paying respect to the existing winery's historical features. By using the winery's central facade as inspiration, the tasting room creates a visual relationship with its context and represents the vineyard's forward-thinking approach.

Orientation and Spatial Organization

The floor plan includes a terrace that enhances the visitor experience. This outdoor area provides extra space while engaging with the natural hillside. Visitors can enjoy expansive views of the vineyards and the landscape beyond. By positioning the terrace to face the vineyard, the design creates a visual focus for guests as they enter the building, making nature an integral part of the experience.

Functional Elements and Service Design

Within the tasting room, a loft space is designed for service staff, ensuring that operations run smoothly without disrupting guests. Large windows are incorporated throughout the main areas to maximize natural light and frame outdoor views. Strategic placement of two restrooms supports larger groups, maintaining functionality while enhancing guest comfort.

Materiality and Cultural Context

French oak plays a significant role in the material palette of the tasting room. Its use aligns with the winemaking theme in the region. The oak is featured in both structural elements and crafted furnishings, including a custom table for 30 guests and a chandelier made from reused barrels. This choice highlights the connection to viticulture and adds visual warmth to the interior. In the restrooms, traditional Portuguese tiles reflect the area's cultural heritage and deepen the design's contextual relevance.

Incorporation of Natural Elements

The building’s design is guided by research into environmental conditions and the layout of existing structures. The pivoted form preserves views of the vineyard while providing shade for the terrace, allowing visitors to enjoy the space comfortably. A key design feature is the wall of windows that invites natural light, creating a connection between the inside and outside. This design choice enhances the overall experience, allowing guests to fully appreciate the surroundings as they engage with the tasting room.

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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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