The project makes use of an interesting grid organization which places complex, well-considered line drawings in gray and white to the left of each sheet, with larger colored renderings to the right. The resulting effect places visual emphasis on the successfully- rendered perspectives while the line drawings remain supplementary. The balance is clean, the hierarchy clear, and there is a direct relationship between the orthogonal design of the project and the layout of the presentation sheets. The limited use of colors in the imagery places strong emphasis on the expression of natural materials which appear in harmony with the existing site and landscape. Consequently, and to the presentation’s benefit, the green planted elements as well as the wooden finishes stand out in relief. Special detail is given to materiality and the micro-expression of joints, grains, and imperfections. Very rarely is a competition entry able to achieve this level of detail and consistency. Annotation and text is used in a limited way. Spaces, textures, and materials are clearly announced, however the project would benefit from additional text to describe design decisions, as well as an introductory or summary paragraph to solidify the design concept and aspirations in words. While the gray linework is consistent and aids in expressing the visually heavier renderings, the line drawings would benefit from additional weights and the use of darker grays or blacks to augment hierarchy. As drawn, gray shadows are the same visual tone as the lines and so do not help to articulate forms or provide the intended depth. Gray annotation text also does not stand out from drawings and in certain cases becomes lost. When reviewing the line drawings in detail, a reader cannot clearly differentiate ‘cut’ lines in section from elevation lines. This is particularly the case for the overall site sections on sheet 3.
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Jury feedback summary
The project collects a series of rectangular structures around a central courtyard. It restores the existing two-storey building on site as a wine tasting space; here the author makes use of the existing large facade opening to frame views towards the vineyards. The proposed guest houses are built of wood and rammed earth and are woven together with a fabric-topped canopy that surrounds and frames the central courtyard. A small pool adjacent to each guest house cleanly separates the living areas from the communal walking areas, serves as a landscape feature and creates a small micro climate to mitigate temperatures. The plot is further framed with light wooden benches to clearly define the site’s square geometry and to enrich the landscape design. The project successfully ties the buildings into its landscape and, while quiet in nature, succeeds in establishing the courtyard as a powerful center of inertia and core of activity.