belvedere's wooden promenade by collection architectes floats above vineyards in france

Collection Architectes’ Belvedere Blends Heritage and Landscape

Collection Architectes takes over the design and construction of a Belvedere on the wine-growing hillsides of Condrieu. Situated at the entrance to the Pilat Regional Natural Park, the village of Tupin-et-Semons is noted for its terraced vineyards and panoramic views that extend from the Rhône River to the Alps. The Vienne Condrieu Agglomération has selected this location for its first belvedere, a key component of its new tourism strategy.

The design integrates the belvedere into the existing landscape, preserving the hamlet’s heritage and enhancing its visual identity. Rather than an isolated structure, the belvedere is designed to harmonize with the hillside, complementing the village’s silhouette and existing retaining wall. The aim is to create a cohesive link between the architectural and natural elements of the area. Designed as a line within the landscape, the structure subtly emphasizes the village’s iconic silhouette without altering its shape and connecting with a path, the church, and the old rectory overlooking the vineyards.

all images courtesy of Collection Architectes

belvedere extends a wooden ribbon above Condrieu’s vineyards

The belvedere serves as more than a viewpoint; it provides a promenade that mirrors the curves of the surrounding hills. A wooden ribbon guides visitors from the southern approach, offering initial views of the Rhône. As visitors proceed, they enter a garden space that reflects the local vineyards through its vegetation. This garden leads to a more secluded area near the church, providing a place for rest before arriving at the belvedere’s edge. Here, the structure extends outward, creating a dramatic ‘step into the void’ effect, offering elevated views over the vineyards. The promenade concludes at a square adjacent to the church, facilitating community gatherings.

The project integrates contemporary architecture with the regional context, enhancing the village’s landscape and silhouette. The design focuses on creating a memorable experience while accommodating various uses and ensuring accessibility. Grenoble-based architecture firm aims to provide a unique landscape promenade, highlighting the village’s heritage, and connecting past and present.

Collection Architectes designs a new belvedere on the wine-growing hillsides of Condrieu

the cantilevered structure uses a wooden and metallic frame

The reinforced concrete abutment is anchored directly to the bedrock downstream and by micropiles upstream. The abutment provides support for the crossing structure via a reinforced concrete wall aligned with the existing retaining wall. The cantilevered crossing structure, supported by the concrete abutments, is built with a wooden frame with tensioned metal supports. The wooden frame is protected by a sealed deck. The selected wood is sapwood-free Douglas fir, naturally durable for a Class 3.2 environment. The design allows for proper drainage between exposed wood and metal parts to ensure the structure’s longevity.

The structure consists of two curved, glued-laminated beams (Douglas fir, sapwood-free) measuring 200×220 mm, with triangulated trestles placed at regular center-to-center distance of 1.24-meter along the axis of the structure. Each trestle consists of two diagonal struts (solid Douglas fir, sapwood-free) with a top rail measuring 120×240 mm connecting the 2 beams. The top rails are connected by cross braces (metal tubes). The wooden trestles rest on a metal tube section Ø108.6 mm x 8.0 mm thickness, tensioned by metal rods of varying sizes with adjustable ends. Together, they form a ‘torsion beam’ capable of supporting the 6-meter cantilever and maintaining the transverse flatness of the deck to the passage of traffic furthest from the abutments. The structure is topped with a 38-mm-thick CTB-X panel, which ensures watertightness. Trapezoidal joists are curved over the two main beams.

located at Pilat Regional Natural Park, the belvedere offers views from the Rhône River to the Alps

the belvedere integrates seamlessly with Tupin-et-Semons’ terraced vineyards, preserving the village’s heritage

harmonizing with the hillside, the belvedere enhances the village’s iconic silhouette without altering its shape

at the edge of the belvedere, visitors experience a ‘step into the void’ sensation

a cantilevered wooden frame, made of sapwood-free Douglas fir, is tensioned with metal rods

the design marries contemporary architecture with the regional context

curved, glued-laminated beams and metal-tube cross braces provide structural support

project info:

name: Belvedere – Wine-growing hillsides of Condrieu

architect: Collection Architectes

location: Tupins-et-Semons, France

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom