Aleksandra Smal - a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the West Pomeranian Technical University - has created a design for an agritourism complex with a winery in Siadlo Dolne. It is a contemporary architectural form, inspired by regionalism, meeting the needs of modern agricultural sectors.
axonometry
© Aleksandra Smal
purpose of the project
As a result of the design and research work carried out, preceded by numerous analyses of the conditions of the selected area, the location of vineyards and the functioning of similar facilities, as well as the definition of positive practices in the context of regional design and the features that define the regional architecture of Western Pomerania, an agritourism complex with a winery was created. The facility responds to the needs of modern agriculture, which is based not only on the production process itself - in this case, vinification - but also on the presentation of this process and education about it through an accompanying function, which is enotourism. Therefore, the designed complex consists of three parts: production, related to wine production, educational and presentational, encouraging the deepening of knowledge and promoting the sector of the agricultural economy, which is vinification and related oenotourism, and the leisure part, that is, the accommodation base with gastronomy.
facades
© Aleksandra Smal
regionalism in architecture
An important issue for the project is to define positive practices in regional design and to analyze the characteristics that define architecture in West Pomerania. The project refers to both vernacular architecture, which refers to the culture and traditions of the region, and critical regionalism, which adapts the building to local climatic and topographical conditions. The building's form and location conform to the tenets of critical regionalism and vernacular architecture by partially embedding the building in the terrain, using the natural influences of the location, adjustable window shades, gravity ventilation and appropriate room layout. The buildings relate to a hall house with a gabled roof, and the entire complex is designed according to the layout of a Vierkanthof-type homestead.
elevations
© Aleksandra Smal
architecture and form of the building
The development complex consists of four buildings on the plan of a three-sided homestead, connected by a terrace at the level of the first floor. The buildings have gabled roofs and are partially connected by a pergola overgrown with climbing plants, which acts as a natural finish to the facade, alluding to wine processing. The form of the complex is inspired by the hall house and implements Kenneth Frampton's idea of critical regionalism, combining traditional elements of regional architecture with modern solutions. The facade of the buildings has been visually divided by the rhythm of the wooden structure, which diversifies the mass and emphasizes the architectural character of the building.
division of the elevation
© Aleksandra Smal
winery
An analysis of facilities with a similar function showed that the building's location on a hillside allows the winery to operate efficiently with gravity flow: grapes are received on the upper floor, fermentation takes place on an intermediate level, and ripening and shipping take place on a lower level. This location aids ventilation of the building, and the cellars in the ground maintain a stable temperature, minimizing the need for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The winery building has been divided into zones corresponding to the successive stages of production: receipt and initial processing of grapes, fermentation, maturation, bottling, storage and shipping, allowing grapes to pass through all stages by gravity.
View of the entrance area of the winery building
© Aleksandra Smal
land development
In response to the concept of critical regionalism, both the building and the courtyard were designed to adapt to the site. Three terraces with a difference in level of 1.5 meters descend from the side of the designed parking lot towards the buildings. Each is protected by a retaining wall. Between the terraces, ramps 4.5 meters wide are planned, which can serve as a promenade for visitors to the winery and as an access space for services and maintenance. The courtyard plan includes building entrance spaces in the form of squares and green areas. Terraces on the south and east sides, which surround almost the entire complex, are an important part of the landscaping.
view of the inner courtyard
© Aleksandra Smal
construction and materials
The project refers to regional architectural traditions and ecological solutions, using local materials, mainly wood and pressed straw covered with clay. The wooden structures are split, referring to regional architecture, but adapted to modern standards thanks to new woodworking technologies such as laminated wood. Traditional strong beams have been replaced with more subtle-looking, but equally strong, laminated wood beams. The filling of the structure, instead of straw and clay, is made of modern compressed straw covered with clay for thermal comfort. The entire structure is finished with natural wood plywood or clay plaster. Such construction combines references to the region's historic architecture with sustainable building features, using local materials and minimizing the need for long-distance transportation, which promotes recycling.
View of the main lobby of the representative building
© Aleksandra Smal
eco-friendly solutions
Modern agriculture and facilities directly related to it, should respond to the modern needs of living in harmony with nature and interfere as little as possible with natural resources. A great value of the project both in reference to regionalisms and pro-ecological solutions is the use of local materials - mainly wood and pressed straw covered with clay finish. In addition, a system of underground tanks has been used to collect rainwater, which will later be used to water the vines and as gray water for flushing toilets in the accommodation facility. The tanks will be connected to a biological wastewater treatment plant. The facility also includes technologies for regulating the indoor climate. Some of the glazing includes adjustable - sliding solar panels that break the rays entering the room and thus regulate overheating. Sustainability is also promoted by the use of gravity ventilation in some of the rooms - primarily in the production building. The facility uses a heat pump with a ground exchanger as the main source of heat, as well as solar panels, which gained a larger installation area due to the production building's roof structure and division into three parts.
sales and tasting space
© Aleksandra Smal
