napa, california
As participants in a select architectural competition, we were asked to refresh the visitor experience at a small winery whose reputation for excellence had outgrown its 1960s roots. What could we do on a constricted site that would respect the physical context and philosophical roots of the winery? We were intrigued that the winery's management and staff first and foremost considered themselves as part of a farming tradition. This became the genesis of our design concept: the beautiful, simple barns that still dot this rural California landscape. But while the forms would be familiar from the road, on arrival down the long driveway, it would be clear to guests that the expression was contemporary and bold. We proposed a fluid line between inside and out so guests could enjoy the sunny and mild climate, while immersed in stunning and intimate views to the vineyards.
