Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Panoramic Glazing and Eco-Friendly Concrete in a Sustainable Tasting Room Design

Authors:
Emmanuel Von Szilágyi, Isael Saraiva Dos Santos, Alanda Da Silva Sousa, Rodolfo Calvacanti De Lira
Panoramic Glazing and Eco-Friendly Concrete in a Sustainable Tasting Room Design
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with ecological concrete and expansive panoramic glazing, the tasting room seamlessly integrates with the vineyard landscape, offering a sensory experience for wine enthusiasts.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using ecological concrete sourced from recycled materials.
02
Panoramic glazing maximizes natural light and views of the vineyards.
03
Features a designated grape treading area to enhance visitor engagement.
04
Incorporates a bent A-frame design for structural efficiency and visual interest.
05
Utilizes triple-glazing technology for superior thermal insulation and energy efficiency.

The project, known as "The White Shell," is an architectural design for a tasting room located in the Lisbon region of Portugal, specifically for Quinta do Monte d’Oiro. This facility serves as a dedicated space for wine tasting, emphasizing visitor interaction with the local landscape and the winemaking process. The design aims to integrate the structure seamlessly into its surroundings, enhancing the sensory experience of its users.

The architectural layout includes a central tasting area, a fireplace, a terrace, and a grape treading space. These components cater to both functional and aesthetic needs, ensuring that visitors can engage with the wine while being immersed in the natural beauty of the vineyards. The tasting room encourages a communal atmosphere, with a long table designed for group experiences, promoting social interaction among guests.

Unique Design Approaches for Enhanced Experience

A standout feature of "The White Shell" is its emphasis on blending with the natural environment. The use of panoramic glazing for the façade provides extensive views of the vineyards while maintaining thermal comfort through strategic positioning. This design choice allows for a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces while maximizing natural light.

The material selection prioritizes sustainability without compromising on aesthetics. The use of ecological concrete, sourced from recycled materials, and aluminum structures highlights a commitment to environmentally responsible design. Additionally, triple-glazing windows contribute to energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the building. The inclusion of wood elements adds warmth to the internal environment, fostering a welcoming atmosphere.

Incorporating Renewable Energy Strategies

The project also employs various renewable energy strategies aimed at reducing overall energy consumption. The architectural design considers local climatic conditions, utilizing natural ventilation to regulate indoor temperatures. The careful orientation of the building takes advantage of sunlight, ensuring that the interior remains comfortable throughout the year.

Each element of "The White Shell" has been meticulously designed to enhance user experience while promoting the local viticulture. The architectural concept encourages exploration and appreciation of the surrounding landscape, positioning the tasting room not just as a functional space but as an experience that invites visitors to engage with the wine-producing heritage of the region.

For more detailed insights into the architectural plans, sections, and overall design ethos of "The White Shell," interested readers are encouraged to explore the comprehensive project presentation. This will provide a more in-depth understanding of the architectural ideas and design principles that define the project.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

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

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy