Vineyard Estate Building in Jois

For generations, the roughly 40-hectare vineyard in Jois in Austria’s Burgenland has been a family concern. When it was handed over to the son, a large new estate building and wine cellar were erected, allowing the four production locations to be united in one place. Situated in a nature reserve between the northern shore of the Neusiedler Lake and the north-eastern edge of the Leitha Mountains, the region enjoys a Mediterranean microclimate with strong westerly winds. These factors induced the architects to design an L-shaped building sunk to two-thirds of its height in the ground and thus sentively integrated in the sheltered lake-shore zone. All one sees from a distance are eight north-light roof structures projecting like tents from the grass. With their splayed truncated pyramidal forms, these elements ensure ideal lighting conditions for the production and storage spaces beneath. As a result, it was also possible to take advantage of underground climatic conditions. The precast concrete roof lights create an almost church-like lighting mood internally. In contrast to the wine-cellar tract buried in the ground, the sales and tasting areas and the seminar space project from the slope in a box-like volume borne by V-shaped spun-concrete columns. Through the broad picture window there are fine views to the south, where the landscape flows gently down to the lake. Illuminated at night, the building forms a striking feature in this rural wine location. The roof is accessible and also affords superb views over the surrounding vineyards and the lake. Uninterrupted visual axes within the building ensure a sense of openness internally. Winegrowers can supervise the production, while customers gain an insight into the arts of winemaking. From a precast concrete walkway with glazed side walls, visitors also have a view into the barrique store in the cellar. Formally restrained dark walnut furnishings specially designed by the architects conjure an indoor link with nature. A bar illuminated from below appears to float above the pale, gleaming epoxy-resin flooring.