ARCHITECURAL FOCUS
Photographs : Nigel Young / Foster + Partners
local species that enhance biodiversity and a discreet change in topography that is designed to protect the winery from the increasingly frequent heavy rainfall . the entire visitor center and the beautiful vineyard landscape beyond .
The new visitor center is designated as a ‘ Planet 1.0 ’ building – as its carbon emissions can easily be absorbed by the Earth ’ s green cover – making it a truly sustainable exemplar . The building also adopts an Energy Plus strategy led by the photovoltaic panels on the roof that produce more energy than required for building operations . The excess energy is diverted to the existing winery buildings . The building features large overhangs on all four sides to reduce heat gain from the sun while blurring the boundaries between inside and outside . A central skylight and carefully integrated glazed facades bring natural light into the interior spaces , reducing the need for artificial lighting . Natural building materials contribute to a biophilic environment and enhance the well-being of visitors and employees . The new landscape features
The new landscape also blends with the existing site ’ s existing facilities which , in conjunction with the relocation of the loading bays and control station during harvest , has significantly improved operational efficiency . In addition , underutilized structures have been removed to provide flexibility for future growth in line with the client ’ s desire to incorporate new technologies into the winemaking process . Greenery has been added to the facades of the existing buildings to provide natural protection from the summer sun , further reducing energy consumption across the site . The result is a quietly efficient and integrated design that reinforces the commitment of the fourth generation of the Martínez Zabala family to the future
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