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Natural Stone and Green Roofs Elevate Vineyard Hospitality Experience

Author:
Aleksandra Petkova
Natural Stone and Green Roofs Elevate Vineyard Hospitality Experience

Project in-detail

Natural stone cladding and expansive green roofs define a terraced hotel that seamlessly connects with its vineyard landscape, providing a unique hospitality experience in Portugal’s wine country.
5 key facts about this project
01
Natural stone finishes provide a tactile connection to the surrounding vineyard.
02
Green roofs offer panoramic views and enhance biodiversity.
03
Terraced layout optimizes sunlight exposure and landscape integration.
04
Extensive glazing allows for natural light and dynamic views throughout.
05
Wooden structures highlight a sustainable and warm interior ambiance.

The Monte D'Oiro Wine Hotel is located in Portugal’s distinguished wine-growing region, about 44 kilometers from Lisbon. The aim is to expand an existing family winery by offering a space for hospitality that celebrates its natural surroundings. The overall design concept emphasizes a harmonious relationship between the hotel and the vineyards, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty and tranquility of the area.

Design Concept

The architectural vision focuses on creating a unified volume that combines various functions in a clear and organized layout. Set on a slope leading down to the vineyards, the hotel is designed in tiers. This arrangement not only responds to the land’s contour but also ensures that guests have expansive views of the landscape. Natural light is maximized, strengthening the connection between the building and its environment.

Spatial Organization

This layout features key areas, including a reception lobby, a bar, a covered sky bridge, standard and superior rooms, as well as a range of facilities such as a conference center, restaurant, and wellness spa. The arrangement is intuitive and allows for easy movement throughout the spaces. A rooftop garden adds a unique touch, providing guests with the chance to connect with nature and enjoy the fresh air.

Materiality and Aesthetic

The appearance of the hotel takes on a modern style while also respecting local traditions. The sections of the building that rest on the ground are finished with natural stone, providing a stable and grounded feeling. Meanwhile, the sky bridge and hotel room volumes are clad in plaster. Large glazed areas are spread across the facade, inviting sunlight in while offering beautiful views. Sunblinds can be adjusted for comfort, balancing brightness with shading.

Structural Composition

The building's structure is designed with the environment in mind, using a reinforced concrete framework made of columns and beams for similar support. The sky bridge and hotel room parts use wooden structures that enhance the tactile connection with the nearby vineyard. Additionally, wooden frameworks made from LVL beams and panels cover the spans over important spaces like the conference hall and swimming pool, combining strength with visual interest.

Green roofs are a final design detail that provide both environmental benefits and aesthetic value. These roofs create an opportunity for planting and wildlife, while also offering guests panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards, reinforcing the relationship between architecture and landscape.

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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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