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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

Project in-detail

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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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

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