Foreword
The Monte d’Oiro Wine Hotel competition is part of Bee Breeders’ Portugal design series. This particular design challenge was the second organized in collaboration with Quinta Do Monte D’Oiro, a family vineyard located in the Lisbon region.
Quinta do Monte d'Oiro (‘Hill of Gold’) is a 42-hectare property with a history of wine-production dating to the 17th century. The current brand, a brainchild of José Bento dos Santos, has produced 100% organic Syrahs, Viogniers, and Petit Verdots, imported from France, since the 1990s, and more recently it has expanded with original labels. The Quinta do Monte d’Oiro site – with a privileged terroir, resting on clay-limestone soils and receiving Atlantic winds – is known to have conditions ideal for producing balanced, fresh wines. Quinta do Monte d’Oiro labels have been consistently awarded prizes and are sold in regional and international markets.
For the Monte d’Oiro Wine Hotel competition, participants were tasked with proposing designs for an extension to the current Quinta do Monte d’Oiro vineyard complex – a hotel that could accommodate visitors of the famous vineyard. The hotel should make full use of the vineyard’s beautiful views and landscape, and incorporate a range of supporting facilities to guarantee visitors have an unforgettable stay.
Bee Breeders worked with a regional and international jury of architects: Tiago Krusse, a professional journalist and manager of the K Innovative Diffuser – a digital media group that holds publications including Design Magazine; Sean Shen, Xuanru Chen and Yu-Ying Tsai, lead architects at Shanghai-based ZJJZ Atelier which has completed projects such as the Woodhouse Hotel; Catarina Ribeiro and Vitório Leite, founders of merooficina, a Porto-based office; Lera Samovich, an architect at Fala Atelier in Porto; and Wayne Turett, founder and principal of The Turett Collaborative, a New York City-based architecture and interior design firm.
The jury evaluated designs for their capacity to harmonize new building volumes with the existing context, and their potential to become iconic landmarks that remain sensitive to the natural surroundings.
Bee Breeders thanks all of the participants for their time and excellent contributions to this design challenge.
1st Prize Winner
AGORA
Architectural contests provide the opportunity to design and propose novel ideas; they place no restrictions on creativity and allow for complete freedom of expression in terms of design. They also present the architect with a special kind of client: an absent one. What better challenge for an architect?
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BelgiumJury feedback summary
‘The Agora’ concentrates the various programmes into a single mass set below the level of the existing buildings. It is carved into the hillside, to remain discrete and also to avoid blocking existing views from the complex to the vineyard. The project conforms to a strong grid and expands the site’s existing ‘plaza’ with sunken outdoor spaces where people can gather. The jury writes, “The views of the space were carefully designed by creating the entrance plaza and connecting the vineyard view with multiple courtyards. Chosen materials are fitting to the atmosphere of the surroundings. The building has perhaps too much presence on the vineyard-facing elevation, though the material selection helps it to blend in with the existing environment.” The submission was lauded for its strong, alluring interior and exterior images, though the jury also commented that the design of the exterior spaces could benefit from further development.
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Under Bridge
The Home of Shadows
MICROHOME
Workplace Reimagined
Museum of Emotions
2nd Prize Winner
Horizontal Landmark
We believe there are many ways to answer our needs, taking into consideration that each individual has a different background and mindset. Architecture competitions provide democratic answers to the same questions, while also often defining and anticipating previously unseen needs.
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ItalyJury feedback summary
‘A new horizontal landmark’, this project takes inspiration from the linear organization of both the site’s vineyard and its current buildings to extend the existing landscape and site views. The jury commented, “The unique approach of introducing a promenade that connects multiple functions stood out among all the proposals. It also provides a new architectural aesthetic for this region of Portugal – volumes of clean form and exposed structure. As a result of a simple approach using a repetitive elevation, the space and the materiality create a serene, welcoming atmosphere. The project’s intentions are well defined concerning the future development of the vineyard, but less so concerning its present needs to establish a statement of coherence and identity.” The jury also commented that the project could be stronger by drawing further from the complex’s existing spaces.
3rd Prize Winner +
BB GREEN AWARD
BB GREEN AWARD
LINES
It is always an opportunity to design something innovative within a certain frame. The demand sets a context for place and action, and it’s up to the architects to find solutions within that gap. The challenging aspect pushes the design forward and drives the project to find strategies that take advantage of the existing conditions and enhance the possibilities of the requested programme – like this competition that presented this great possibility of doing something exciting within an existing space. It is a wonderful opportunity that can generate an outstanding result. The type of activity that is required and the site itself can be both combined to create a truly remarkable experience. This possibility was a clear motivation to enter this architecture competition.
Read full interview ItalyJury feedback summary
The project conforms to a strong linear organization set in relationship with the vineyard. It is defined by expansive concrete slabs and floor-to-ceiling glazed openings. The jury writes, “The proposal integrates the new hotel into the landscape with walls, while thoughtfully planning the views towards the surrounding nature. The design comes with a strong architectural language – though the linear walls might be too overwhelming in reality, this did not prevent the proposal from being among the strongest. Its concept relates well to the existing buildings and the vineyards, both transforming and complementing the landscape. The simplicity and beauty of the presentation illustrate the clarity of the proposal; its atmosphere of intimacy speaks of a space that would be well worth a visit.”
BB STUDENT AWARD
enxame na encosta
Competitions are great for experiences. You always learn from them. It's a great way to get exposed to new topics and materials, and thereby expand your horizons.
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Germany
Client Favorite
Chapels Tale
Apart from obvious reasons, I become interested in a particular topic or brief. In the case of the Monte D’oiro Hotel, it was a challenge to continue the previous studies of wine architecture in the low-density suburban environment. Whenever I see an objective that interests me, I start thinking. If I can’t stop thinking, I participate.
Read full interview GermanyHonorable Mentions
Shortlisted projects
la sommellerie
New Zealand
Israel THE MUSICAL CLOAK
National technical university of athens - school of architecture
+22 points Buildner University Rankings!
Greece três pátios - Quinta do Monte d'Oiro Winehotel
Kit - karlsruhe institute of technology, karlsruher institut für technologie
+22 points Buildner University Rankings!
Germany M d ' O
Tag architecture
Romania Room with a view
Jmw architecten
Netherlands Vista da Panorama
Japan Quinta de monte d'oiro - Wine HOTEL
France TRAMAS d' OIRO
Portugal AGORA
Alexandru patrichi architects
Belgium Monte d'Oiro Wine Hotel
China Linha de Sombra
Italy Hotel Santa Isabel
University of banja luka
+22 points Buildner University Rankings!
Bosnia and Herzegovina LINES
Italy Tour do vinho
Mexico No reino dos sentidos
Netherlands A Walk in the Vineyards
Double twist
Spain Grapevine Path
Barcelona
Spain Between lines
Studioarte
Portugal Hotel Terroir
United States 
Inhabiting the vineyard
Spain Wine Hotel Quinta do Monte d'Oiro
Erfurt university of applied sciences
+22 points Buildner University Rankings!
Germany VISUS
Germany HORIZON
Italy Garden Terrace Village
Italy MONTE D'OIRO WINE HOTEL
Marks company group
Russian Federation Motel Revisited
Aud.a
Germany Monte d'Oiro - golden plateau
Atelier x
Germany enxame na encosta
Fh münster (münster school of architecture)
+72 points Buildner University Rankings!
Germany The interpretation of the site | A sign in the landscape
Italy The Link
France Chapels Tale
Germany 
Apaixonar - Monte d'Oiro Wine Hotel
New bulgarian university
+22 points Buildner University Rankings!
Bulgaria 
Horizontal Landmark
Italy GOLDEN OAK
Hochschule für technik und wirtschaft saar
+22 points Buildner University Rankings!
Germany Bonheur
Universitatea de arhitectura si urbanism "ion mincu", bucuresti
+22 points Buildner University Rankings!
Romania Taste of Gold
All in studio ltd
Bulgaria 