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Reclaimed Wood and Green Roof Blend in a Community Tasting Room

Authors:
Vennie Lau, Paul Vega, Peter Fritzky
Reclaimed Wood and Green Roof Blend in a Community Tasting Room

Project in-detail

A tall chimney reminiscent of local lighthouses stands alongside reclaimed wood walls and a green roof, creating an inviting tasting room that connects visitors to the landscape of Portuguese winemaking.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reclaimed wood sourced locally enhances sustainability and connects the building to its environment.
02
A green roof incorporates local wildflowers, promoting biodiversity and reducing energy consumption.
03
The wood slat wall system filters natural light, inspired by the design of nearby lighthouses.
04
A "Walk of Fame" corridor educates visitors about the winery's history and regional wine culture.
05
The tall chimney serves both as a ventilation element and a nod to local maritime architecture.

The Quinta do Monte d'Oiro Tasting Room features a well-crafted design in the scenic landscape of Portugal, focusing on both wine tasting and cultural connection. The architectural concept aims to immerse visitors from their arrival to the tasting experience. The design fits snugly into the natural surroundings and takes advantage of light and views to enhance the overall visitor experience.

Material Selection

The materials chosen for this building reflect a dedication to sustainability and local craftsmanship. Reclaimed fumed oak wood, limestone, corten steel, glass, terracotta, and concrete each contribute to a cohesive look that serves the practical needs of the winery. Using local resources helps the design connect more with its environment while also reducing its carbon footprint.

Lighting and Atmosphere

A key aspect of the tasting room is the use of wood slats that filter daylight into the interior, creating interesting patterns of light throughout the day. This feature is inspired by local lighthouses and adds a unique quality to the atmosphere inside. At night, the warm light from the building invites visitors from a distance, creating a sense of welcome.

Accessibility and Community Engagement

Accessibility is an important consideration in the design. Ramps and elevators have been included in the tasting room, cellar, and outdoor areas to ensure that everyone can enjoy the space. This design choice supports the winery's role as a gathering place for the community. The "Walk of Fame" corridor provides insight into the history of the winery and Portuguese wine culture, helping visitors feel more connected to the region’s legacy.

Architectural Features

Prominently featured is a tall chimney that combines function with design. It provides necessary ventilation and nods to the historical lighthouses found along the coastline. This detail adds character while also connecting the winery to the maritime culture of the area.

The tasting room embraces a dialogue between the built environment and the landscape, creating a setting where people can appreciate the wine and the natural world around them.

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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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