{"id":217010,"date":"2023-10-16T08:34:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T12:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/?post_type=id_project&p=217010"},"modified":"2023-10-06T15:06:10","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T19:06:10","slug":"gurdau-winery-architecture-design-czechia","status":"publish","type":"id_project","link":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/projects\/gurdau-winery-architecture-design-czechia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Architecture of a Winery in Czechia Fosters Its Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The sustainably designed, 13,500-square-foot building is capped by a green roof. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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October 16, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n

Words: <\/span>Edie Cohen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photography: <\/span>BoysPlayNice<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Architecture of a Winery in Czechia Fosters Its Growth<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Move over Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany. A new terroir, actually two, are experiencing a resurgence within the Czech Republic. Yes, you read that correctly. The zones, southern Moravia, where most of the country\u2019s wine is produced, and Bohemia, both had a history of wine-making that fell off during the postwar era. Revival came after 1989, and \u201cThe industry is experiencing significant growth accompanied by architectural expressions of the ambitions of new winemakers.\u201d This from Czech architect Ale\u0161 Fiala<\/a>, who\u2019s well-versed on the topic. For starters, his namesake studio created a superlative establishment in Kurde\u030cjov for Gurdau Winery<\/a>\u2014the label named after the village\u2019s original German moniker, Gurdau\u2014the structure a gob-smacking entity presumably like nothing wine aficionados had previously seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simultaneously bold and stunning yet equally recessive, the building, at its most basic, is an arch of reinforced concrete and glass carved into the center of a landscape encompassing 17 acres of vineyards, the grapes ultimately transformed into Riesling, Veltliner, Pinot Blanc, and Merlot varietals. In a sense, the wine and winery\u2019s launch and growth were entwined. Founded in 2012, Gurdau introduced its inaugural vintage in 2021, just a year prior to its building opening its doors following two years of construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gurdau Winery Nods to Winemaking Traditions in Czechia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIntervening in the landscape through construction is always a significant responsibility,\u201d Fiala introduces his initial concept. \u201cRegardless of the size of the building, we aimed to connect it with the old, local, modest cellars, often just adorned \u2018holes\u2019 in the hillside, yet full of life and fulfilling all necessary functions.\u201d Rooted in tradition though it may be, Fiala\u2019s contemporary creation taking form as a gentle curve or \u201ca hill between hills\u201d is anything but a humble hole in the hill. It stands at over 13,000 square feet on two levels as the ne plus ultra of production and hospitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gurdau Winery, in Kurd\u011bjov, Czech Republic, is composed of 17 acres of vineyards and a curvaceous, two-story structure by local firm Ale\u0161 Fiala that\u2019s used for production, tastings, and lodging.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One level, below-grade with its own separate entrance for shipments and deliveries, is dedicated to Gurdau\u2019s annual production of 39,000 bottles fermented and matured in stainless-steel tanks and oak barrels. Here, too, is a room for tasting archive wines, plus a pair of intimate apartments for overnight guests<\/a>. The accommodations, entered from the heart of the winery, \u201care situated within two elliptical, reinforced-concrete tubes\u201d opening onto terraces, Fiala explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Inviting Tasting Area, Plus Dining Room<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ground floor, though including some wine production, is primarily for customers. There\u2019s no doubt about that with the blackened-steel bar standing front and center just past the entry. In the tasting area beyond, oenophiles can stimulate not only their palettes with samples of current production but also their minds, learning about soil profiles where the vines grow. Then, guests can transition through a pair of massive pivoting oak doors to the dining room. Up to 40 people can participate in dinners paired with Gurdau wines. The space spills over to an adjacent acacia terrace accessed via 33-foot-wide sliders, surrounded by vistas of the vineyards. Terraces, in fact, overflow from interiors throughout the project, including the apartments, \u201cto bring a variety of natural moods and seasons to the experience of the space while further embedding the building in the terrain from which the wine comes,\u201d Fiala waxes poetic. \u201cThe interplay of views, landscape, greenery, and wine is the most cherished aspect of Gurdau.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Minimal materials pervade as a consistent palette. \u201cThe nature of the project necessitates the use of concrete, reinforced for both structural and aesthetic reasons, in the aboveground arch,\u201d Fiala continues. \u201cFrom a structural perspective, it\u2019s not a shell but an arching ceiling slab that supports an arching green roof.\u201d That, in essence, is really a third floor, one that\u2019s crucial to the winery\u2019s conception. Ultimately, it will become a completely green field, almost invisible as a building aspect, with a few of the surrounding area\u2019s newly planted 150 shrubs and mature trees poking through openings in the roof. As for the rest, Fiala and his team chose local acacia, oak, and gray cement screed for wall and floor finishes. Visible interior structural elements are blackened steel and aluminum. Meanwhile, sparse contemporary furnishings by the likes of Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec<\/a> and Piero Lissoni<\/a> mix with the firm\u2019s custom pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given Fiala\u2019s immersion in the area and viniculture, we couldn\u2019t help but ask the Brno native about his favorite wines and food pairings. \u201cIf I had to pick one, it\u2019d be the 2021 Vesnice Kurdejov Gr\u00fcner Veltliner, which harmonizes well with classic wiener schnitzel.\u201d But more importantly, Fiala\u2019s Gurdau tells a sustainability<\/a> story. First, the winery\u2019s very location within the vineyard minimizes the transport of raw materials and workers. Passive energy considerations come from having most production zones located belowground, and customer areas open to the sun through large spans of glass. Along with thermally insulated triple glazing, oak slats in front of windows and an overhang of the curved roof ameliorate summer heat. Rainwater is collected and stored for irrigation. To which we add, na zdravi<\/em>, or cheers!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The curvilinear profile mandated reinforced concrete as its primary construction material. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Explore the Winery Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The sustainably designed, 13,500-square-foot building is capped by a green roof. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The building offers an outdoor dining terrace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A tunnel-like passage leads to the shipments and delivery entrance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A curving driveway accesses the ground-floor entry for visitors. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The custom blackened-steel wine bar appoints the customer entry, while the dining room is behind the 13-foot-high, pivoting oak doors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The vineyard was founded in 2012 and produces grapes for Riesling, Veltliner, Pinot Blanc, and Merlot varietals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The concrete structure houses two 450-square-foot apartments for overnight stays.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Piero Lissoni\u2019s Bubble Rock sofa and Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec\u2019s Palissade Cone table furnish the apart\u00adment\u2019s acacia deck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Benjamin Baum\u2019s Roii chairs populate the dining room and the terrace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Wood in the apartments is oak, the bed\u2019s mattress handmade. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The dining room has views into an oak-framed barrel room fronted by glass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Barrels in an air-conditioned storage room are Slavonian oak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gurdau Winery simultaneously stands out and blends in with the Kurd\u011bjov landscape. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
PROJECT TEAM<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n

ales\u030c fiala<\/strong>: toma\u0301s\u030c bi\u0301lek; bronislav bures\u030c; dalibor klusa\u0301cek. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

zdenek sendler<\/strong>: landscape architect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

daniela hradilov\u00e1<\/strong>: interior details. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

mylight<\/strong>: lighting consultant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

navla\u0301cil stavebni\u0301 firma<\/strong>: structural engineer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

category<\/strong>: mep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

drevostyl<\/strong>: millwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

omelka<\/strong>: steelwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

atelier origin\u00e1l hor\u00e1nek<\/strong>: custom furniture workshop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

bentglass<\/strong>: glasswork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRODUCT SOURCES<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FROM FRONT<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n

dedon<\/strong>: chairs (dining terraces, dining room). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

hay<\/strong>: tables (dining terraces, deck). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

living divani<\/strong>: sofa (deck). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

vispring<\/strong>: beds (apartments). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ton<\/strong>: tables (dining room). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

georg bechter licht<\/strong>: ceiling fixtures (storage room).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THROUGHOUT<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n

belevey<\/strong>: decking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

pozvek<\/strong>: barrels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n