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Kinetic Brick Facade With Polycarbonate Roof Anchors Wine Experience In Scenic Landscape

Author:
Jacob Blennerhassett
Kinetic Brick Facade With Polycarbonate Roof Anchors Wine Experience In Scenic Landscape

Project in-detail

The kinetic brick facade and polycarbonate roof create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, enhancing the sensory experience of wine tasting within a carefully integrated landscape setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Kinetic facade allows for adaptive lighting and ventilation.
02
Central courtyard ensures uninterrupted sunset views year-round.
03
Polycarbonate roof enhances natural light while protecting against elements.
04
Building design integrates cut-and-fill strategy within the hillside.
05
Focus on Syrah varietals connects architecture to local wine production.

Quinta do Monte d'Oiro is situated in a beautiful vineyard landscape defined by rolling golden hills. This winery was designed to enhance the experience of wine tasting while forging a strong connection with the surrounding natural environment. The overall design focuses on blending the structure with its topography and creating an atmosphere that engages visitors with the wines and the landscape.

Orientation and Views

The design carefully positions the building to take advantage of panoramic views, particularly the sunsets over the vineyard. This orientation fosters a visual relationship between the structure and the landscape, allowing visitors to observe the changing light throughout the day. The design enhances the experience of tasting wine against this dynamic backdrop.

Environmental Integration

Attention to environmental factors is a key aspect of the design. The building minimizes exposure to the prevailing north winds and is designed using a cut-and-fill strategy that incorporates the structure into the hillside. This method reduces the building's visual impact while improving energy efficiency. The central courtyard is strategically designed to ensure uninterrupted views of the sunset, reinforcing the connection between enjoying wine and the natural day-to-day rhythms of light.

Material Specifications

The selection of materials supports and complements the overall design. The roof features a polycarbonate sheet that allows natural light to fill the interior, while also offering protection from the elements. This is complemented by a white powdercoated roof structure that provides a contemporary appearance. The kinetic brick facade is another important feature, designed to adjust in response to the weather, allowing for changes in light and ventilation. The substructure consists of a concrete slab and rammed concrete walls, creating a solid foundation and incorporating effective moisture management through adequate drainage.

Design Detailing

Quinta do Monte d'Oiro emphasizes the relationship between the building and its landscape. Each design element has been chosen to enhance the visitor's experience. The kinetic facade helps control light and airflow, while the overall composition of the building integrates with the hills around it. This thoughtful design allows for appreciation of both the wine and the beautiful environment where it is produced.

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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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