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Natural Ventilation and Thermal Mass Enhance Wine Tasting Experience in Vineyard Setting

Authors:
Hiroo Maruyama, Akitaka Suzuki, Tomotake Miyagaki
Natural Ventilation and Thermal Mass Enhance Wine Tasting Experience in Vineyard Setting

Project in-detail

Large openings for natural ventilation and carefully designed overhangs provide climate control while integrating thermal mass, enhancing the wine tasting experience within the vineyard environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Large openings optimize natural ventilation and connect interior spaces with the vineyard.
02
The half-buried design uses thermal mass for enhanced insulation in colder months.
03
A rooftop plaza enhances visitor engagement with the surrounding landscape.
04
Overhangs are strategically designed to regulate sunlight exposure year-round.
05
The structure integrates local climatic conditions to improve grape quality in winemaking.

Monte d'Oiro Pier is located in Ventosa, a region known for its vast vineyards. The design focuses on enhancing the experience of wine tasting while connecting visitors with the local culture and landscape. It promotes interaction between the winery and vineyard, reflecting the importance of place in the wine-making process.

Design Concept

The pier features two levels that offer different views of the vineyard. The rooftop area allows for expansive vistas, engaging visitors with the larger landscape. In contrast, the wine tasting room creates a more personal connection by bringing guests to eye level with the surrounding environment. This combination enriches the experience, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the world of wine.

Material Selection

A careful choice of materials supports the structure's function and design. The project uses thermal insulation, reinforced concrete, plywood, and low-E double-pane windows. These materials contribute to energy efficiency and comfort. They are selected to enhance the overall appearance and feel of the building while maintaining a sense of connection to the landscape.

Environmental Integration

The design takes into account the local climate and environmental conditions. Strong winds in Ventosa play a role in grape growing by helping to reduce disease risks and improve grape quality. The pier features large openings that allow for natural ventilation, which helps regulate indoor temperature and comfort throughout the year. Additionally, the half-buried design supports thermal mass, providing insulation during colder months.

Design Detailing

Overhangs are carefully placed to control sunlight exposure. This design detail ensures that interior spaces remain comfortable while providing natural light. The rooftop plaza encourages exploration of the vineyard, offering a chance for visitors to engage with the space. Each aspect of the design contributes to a functional environment, rooted in the beauty and character of the surrounding 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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