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Sunken Wine Room with Panoramic Views and Pigmented Concrete Integration

Authors:
Liam Mulheran, Michael Denyer
Sunken Wine Room with Panoramic Views and Pigmented Concrete Integration
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The sunken wine room, constructed with pigmented concrete, offers sweeping panoramic views of the vineyard while fostering community interaction through its spacious design centered around a large communal table.
5 key facts about this project
01
Dual orientation provides wide views of the vineyard and courtyard.
02
Sunken design promotes a direct connection to the surrounding landscape.
03
Thirty-seat communal table enhances social interactions during tastings.
04
Large operable openings facilitate indoor-outdoor flow in warmer months.
05
Construction materials echo local earth tones for contextually relevant aesthetics.

The Monte de'Orio wine tasting room is located in a scenic vineyard area, aiming to improve the existing facilities with a modern space for wine tasting. The design is focused on building a connection with the landscape and the nearby courtyard, allowing for a smooth flow between the two. By enhancing visibility and accessibility, the room aims to enrich the overall experience of visitors while highlighting the natural surroundings.

Design Integration

The wine tasting room connects to the main courtyard through a broad pedestrian path. This pathway guides visitors toward a southwest-facing area that is intended to offer wide views of the vineyard. Centering the design around these views creates an essential relationship between the structure and the agricultural landscape, encouraging guests to engage with their environment.

Sunken Architecture

A notable aspect of the design is its sunken form, which allows the wine room to maintain clear sight lines from the courtyard toward the vineyard. The excavation of the site positions the room lower than the surrounding area. This placement creates a cozy atmosphere and strengthens the connection with the landscape, helping visitors feel part of the vineyard they are enjoying.

Spatial Dynamics

Inside, the layout promotes social interaction through a large oak table that seats thirty people, positioned to encourage conversation among guests. This design focuses on community, which is central to the wine tasting experience. A sommelier's counter is included as well to provide practical support for tastings and events, ensuring that everything needed for an enjoyable experience is readily available.

Material Context

The wine room is built using pigmented concrete, which helps it blend with the earthy colors found in the surrounding environment. This choice enhances the link between the structure and the landscape while ensuring it remains durable. Additionally, the use of a brick retaining wall contributes to a cohesive look that reflects local building traditions, reinforcing the building's integration into its setting.

Large operable openings allow for panoramic views and create a connection between indoor and outdoor areas, especially during nice weather. These features enhance the experience of wine tasting by allowing guests to appreciate the beauty of the vineyard while engaging with the space around them.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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