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Integrating Natural Light with Wood and Plaster in a Hillside Tasting Facility

Authors:
Seth Hanley, Jonathan Chow, Myrissa Wolfe
Integrating Natural Light with Wood and Plaster in a Hillside Tasting Facility
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Built with wood and plaster to harmonize with its hillside context, the facility emphasizes natural light and spatial flow, creating an inviting environment for wine tasting and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Natural light is optimized through strategic window placement, enhancing visitor experience throughout the day.
02
Wood and plaster materials reinforce local architectural traditions while ensuring durability.
03
The facility incorporates a distinct barrel room designed for both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
04
Spatial organization encourages interaction and movement among visitors and staff.
05
Sun studies inform design decisions, minimizing heat gain while maximizing views of the surrounding landscape.

The Monte D'Oiro Tasting Salon is an architectural addition set within a hillside landscape. This structure functions as an important part of a winery, providing a space for wine tasting and community activities. The design approach emphasizes good relationships between the building and its natural surroundings, respecting the site's beauty while reflecting the winery's history.

Architectural Concept

The concept focuses on how the building blends with its environment, avoiding a dominating presence on the site. It features modern lines and shapes while taking inspiration from local architecture. This connection to traditional styles helps the design feel at home in its geographical context, creating a sense of belonging.

Functional Layout

The tasting salon includes well-planned spaces such as the Wine Tasting Room, Winery, Barrel Room, Conference Room, Chapel, and Kitchen. Each area serves a specific purpose, supporting activities linked to winemaking and encouraging education and social interaction. The arrangement of spaces allows for easy movement and promotes engagement among visitors and staff, enhancing the overall experience.

Materiality

Materials used in the construction include wood, metal, plaster, concrete, roof tiles, and upholstery. Choosing these materials contributes to the building's visual quality and ensures durability. Each element connects with the local environment, reinforcing the feeling of place while creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors.

Environmental Considerations

Attention to environmental factors is visible in the design choices, especially regarding light and circulation. By conducting sun studies for the equinox and solstice, the placement of windows and overhangs is optimized. This ensures good light exposure while reducing heat gain. The thoughtful arrangement enhances views of the landscape, allowing the structure to connect visually with its surroundings.

The vertical lines of the salon reflect the hillside's form, effectively connecting the building to the natural landscape.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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