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Rammed Earth Walls and Clay Tiles Enhance Vineyard Tasting Experience

Authors:
Adam Casey, Max Lewis
Rammed Earth Walls and Clay Tiles Enhance Vineyard Tasting Experience

Project in-detail

Rammed earth walls crafted from vineyard soil and sustainable clay tiles create a unique environment that enhances the visitor experience in a multifunctional tasting room.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls are constructed using soil from the vineyard.
02
Clay tiles are used for both roofs and floors, reflecting local tradition.
03
The entrance design is intentionally narrow, leading to an open interior.
04
Large windows frame views of the landscape, integrating nature within the space.
05
An outdoor terrace enhances the tasting experience and promotes social interaction.

The Monte D'Oiro Wine Tasting Room is a contemporary design located in a vineyard in Portugal. It focuses on enhancing the wine tasting experience by creating a space that connects visitors with the surrounding landscape. Inspired by traditional architecture, the design aims to bring together functionality and a sense of place, making it an integral part of the winery.

Architectural Concept
The overall design emphasizes the relationship between the building and its natural environment. The entrance is intentionally narrow, leading visitors into a more open interior space. This transition encourages exploration and curiosity, guiding guests through the tasting room. The layout promotes movement while highlighting the scenic views of the vineyard, making the tasting room the central point of engagement.

Materiality and Sustainability
Material choices emphasize sustainability and respect for local traditions. Clay tiles are used for the roofs and floors, continuing a well-established practice in Portuguese architecture. These tiles are durable and contribute to the longevity of the structure, minimizing maintenance needs over time. This choice reflects a commitment to the environment while creating a harmonious visual appearance throughout the space.

Engagement with Space
Natural light is a key element in the design, with large windows positioned to frame views of the vineyard. These openings allow sunlight to fill the interior, creating a warm atmosphere for visitors. Angled louvers on the open elevation provide partial glimpses of the landscape, adding to the sensory experience. Visitors can feel connected to nature while enjoying the tasting experience inside.

Connection to the Vineyard
Internally, rammed earth walls connect the building to the soil of the vineyard, expressing the origin of the wine produced there. This choice adds a physical link to the land, deepening the narrative for those who visit. The walls create a natural aesthetic that complements the entire design, reinforcing a sense of place and tradition at the core of the project.

The structure’s flowing forms and large glass double doors create an easy transition from the interior to the outdoor terrace. This setup enhances the experience of the vineyard setting, encouraging visitors to engage with the landscape while appreciating the wine tasting process.

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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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