virai arquitectos: institutional winery la grajera

‘institutional winery of la grajera’ by virai arquitectos in logroño, spain image © jose manuel cutilla all images courtesy of virai arquitectos

spanish architecture firm virai arquitectos has completed ‘winery of la grajera’, a building which takes into account its
surrounding landscape of logroño, spain and integrates its form and materials in a vernacular design for the wine-making facility.
the shape of the structure is a response to the sloping site on which it is built. the sandstone façade of the production area
is contrasted with a dark ceramic cladding used for the the small office tower and open institutional pavilion.

a combination of ceramic and natural stone façades image © jose manuel cutilla

the foundation of the manufacturing facility of the winery bends and rises to become an element of the landscape.
located partially below ground, the consistency of temperature is naturally optimized for the wine production process.
in opposition to the light exterior, the walls of the interior are a dark slate, adding to the feel of being underground.
the inclined roof is covered by vegetation which increases the thermal isolation needed for storing wine while further integrating
the structure into the surrounding vista.

front of small office tower image © jose manuel cutilla

view of structure from surrounding field image © jose manuel cutilla

the sloping of building is in dialogue with the surrounding hill image © jose manuel cutilla

view from above image © jose manuel cutilla

opposite the raised courtyard, the event space and small office tower is cladded with a ceramic element. the material was created specifically for the project in a collaboration between virai arquitectos and spanish ceramic company favetón. the unique shape and quality of the exterior application allows it to have a uniform look both as a basic facing and as a protective shutter for the continuous curtain wall.

interior view image © jose manuel cutilla