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Red Brick Tasting Room Built into the Slope with Thermal Insulation

Author:
Maria Florencia Cabrera
Red Brick Tasting Room Built into the Slope with Thermal Insulation
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Beneath a green roof, a red brick tasting room integrates with the natural slope of the land, utilizing thermal insulation to create a comfortable environment for wine tasting while maximizing panoramic views of the vineyard.
5 key facts about this project
01
Red brick construction complements the local landscape.
02
The tasting room is strategically placed underground for thermal regulation.
03
A green roof offers a natural habitat and additional insulation.
04
Design incorporates a descending walkalong trail leading to the main entrance.
05
Large openings enhance natural light and vineyard views.

The project is located in the picturesque landscape of Portugal and serves as a tasting room for wine. It embodies the concept of stereotomic architecture, which focuses on a continuous structural system firmly connected to the earth. By taking advantage of the natural slope of the land, the building appears to rise naturally from its surroundings, fostering a relationship between the architecture and the environment.

Design Levels

The layout consists of three distinct levels that provide visitors with engaging experiences. The first level includes a descending walkalong trail that grants views of the nearby vineyards. This trail leads to a vertical circulation point, enhancing the journey toward the tasting room while emphasizing connections to the landscape.

Tasting Room

The underground level functions as the primary tasting room, offering an intimate space for wine enthusiasts. It is designed to maximize natural light and provide sweeping views of the vineyard, linking the process of tasting with the appreciation of the landscape. Carefully placed openings in the architecture allow light to enter, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Upper Level and Green Roof

An upper level features a green roof accessible through a bridge spanning an internal patio. This space serves as an elevated area for visitors to enjoy the surroundings and offers a peaceful spot for reflection. The design encourages interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces, highlighting the landscape's significance in the overall experience.

Material Selection

Materials in the project include thermal insulation and reinforced concrete, complemented by red brick finishing that reflects local craftsmanship. These choices ensure the building's structural integrity while visually connecting it to the context of the site. Elements come together to create an experience that invites visitors to engage with both the wine and the landscape, enriching the connection to the area's natural beauty.

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

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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.

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