Stanislaw Czujkowski and Kinga Gawlik from the West Pomeranian University of Technology, in response to the "Pour - a modern winery design" competition task, created a winery and accommodation complex in South Africa. Their project called Green Path Village received an honorable mention!
"A drink from heaven". - this is how wine has been called in many cultures since time immemorial. The art of winemaking and viticulture has evolved as part of the life, culture and diet of many countries. The wine industry is often referred to as a "beautiful factory." It is one of the least polluting industries and a major economic engine in America, Australia, Italy, France and South Africa, among others. The architecture of a winery plays a key role in the wine tasting experience. But can a winery or vineyard offer more than wine?
The featured project was created for the village of Kayamadi
© Stanislaw Czujkowski, Kinga Gawlik
A modern winery in South Africa
The goal of the competition organized by the UNI platform was to propose a modern winery for Kayamadi, a village about 55 kilometers from Cape Town. The wine industry is a bright light for South Africa's economic development. The beauty of wine tourism is not only that it helps establish personal contact with consumers and is culturally enriching, but it also has the potential for significant job market development. The township of Kayamandi is located a short distance from the capital, but is far from it in terms of economy, tourism and job availability. The town is located on a hill full of potential for a winery. There is also a huge reservoir, which is a natural source of irrigation. The challenge of the competition was to design a modern winery that would not only provide a memorable experience for visitors, but also contribute to thesocio-economic development of the Kayamandi community.
Green Path Village is divided into five levels and is hidden in a hillside
© Stanislaw Czujkowski, Kinga Gawlik
honorable mention for ZUT students
The submitted works were evaluated by a three-member jury consisting of: Anouk Legendre (XTU architects), Nicola Isetta (REISARCHITETTURA), Alejandro García Pedrón (CRUX Arquitectos). Among the numerous projects was a work by Stanislaw Czujkowski and Kinga Gawlik from the West Pomeranian University of Technology. The Green Path Village project received an honorable mention and was recognized for its idea of integration, interesting inscription into the terrain and respect for the landscape.
terraces in the hill
The idea behind the Green Path Village project is to create a wine and lodging complex that blends into the landscape. The facility is also intended to provide guests from all over the world with a peaceful and beautiful environment where they can enjoy the best local wine and beautiful views, and fulfill themselves socially.
The authors "cut" the hill into five terraces
© Stanislaw Czujkowski, Kinga Gawlik
The inspiration for the design is very simple and strongly derived from the significant difference in elevation of the terrain found on the plot. The building, divided into five levels, is hidden in a hill that also corresponds with the surrounding mountains. The idea is not to interfere with the landscape, but rather to use it as an advantage and emphasize it, the authors say.
Instead of creating a closed complex with all rooms squeezed into one building and specific functional areas, the students proposed an open resort that benefits from its location, giving all visitors an amazing view and experience. The architects achieved this by "cutting" the hill into five terraces and placing all the infrastructure in these cuts.
The terraces provide a place for dinner and wine tasting
© Stanislaw Czujkowski, Kinga Gawlik
green path
Green Path Village is a wine production and accommodation complex that includes a winery, guest rooms and all the necessary infrastructure, The facility is spread over five floors with green roof terraces and a pathway running between them. The path is ideal for romantic walks and relaxation. The terraces are also places for dinner and wine tasting.
The complex is inscribed in the hill
© Stanislaw Czujkowski, Kinga Gawlik
The lowest floor - the base and soul of the complex, houses the winery, which produces locally grown wine. It also contains sleeping quarters and common rooms for employees. On the top floor, the authors placed the hotel lobby and restaurant, as well as the wine store. The three middle floors include guest rooms and common areas such as dining rooms, bars and technical rooms. Between them are common courtyards ideal for evening receptions, dinners or dances. Thanks to the facade materials used - mortar covered with gravel- the building gives the impression of being covered with earth and blends in naturally with its surroundings.
The object is connected by a pathway led between green terraces
© Stanislaw Czujkowski, Kinga Gawlik
Read also about a wine tasting pavilion in Portugal that was hidden in a hill and a facility made entirely of CLT wood.
Stanislaw Czujkowski, together with Kornelius Wielechowski, is the author of a hotel resort in Vietnam inscribed into a hillside with rice terraces. And Kinga Gawlik together with Piotr Rajewski is the author of a brick pavilion in the United Arab Emirates, which received the BB Student Award.
