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Water Feature and White Stucco Wall Enveloping a Timber Tasting Room

Authors:
Thomas Purdy, Linda O'gwynn, Adam Meyers
Water Feature and White Stucco Wall Enveloping a Timber Tasting Room

Project in-detail

The integration of a white stucco wall and a tranquil water feature surrounds a timber structure designed as a wine tasting room, enhancing the visitor experience while establishing a strong connection to the surrounding vineyards.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design includes a water feature that enhances the sensory experience for visitors.
02
Native vegetation is integrated along walkways to promote ecological harmony.
03
The use of clerestory windows allows for natural light and ventilation, maintaining comfort.
04
A wooden bridge connects the courtyard to the entry, guiding visitors through the space.
05
The structure's layout fosters a direct visual relationship with the surrounding vineyards.

Quinta do Monte D'Oiro is situated in the landscape of Freixial de Cima and is dedicated to wine tasting. The design features a welcoming courtyard that leads into an inviting tasting room, aimed at creating a relationship between visitors and the surrounding vineyards. The overall concept focuses on blending the structure with its natural context, enhancing the experience of enjoying wine.

Architectural Concept
The vision for the design blends the built environment with the organic layout of the area. Inspiration comes from the orderly rows of the vineyards, fostering a connection to the landscape. This thoughtful integration allows visitors to engage more deeply with the cultural significance of wine production in the region, making the space both functional and meaningful.

Materials and Structure
Timber framing is central to the Tasting Room, contributing to an open and airy feel suitable for wine appreciation. A white stucco wall marks the entrance to the raised plaza, guiding visitors into the tasting area. Within the Entry Porch, two key features—a Fireplace and a Pool of Water—create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Together, these elements serve to enrich the experience of those who enter.

Environmental Considerations
Sustainability plays an important role in the design. Broad overhangs protect against direct sunlight while clerestory windows bring in natural light and facilitate airflow. Bifold glass doors create a flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing guests to enjoy views of the vineyard. The use of native plants along walkways adds privacy and contributes to a harmonious connection with the landscape.

Design Detailing
A notable aspect of the design is the wooden bridge that connects the courtyard to the Entry Porch. This bridge enhances the experience of arriving and moving through the space. Attention to this detail highlights the journey visitors embark on, deepening their connection to the surrounding landscape and underscoring the purpose of Quinta do Monte D'Oiro as a place for wine appreciation.

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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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