CHYBIK + KRISTOF completes lahofer winery in the czech republic with undulating roof

CHYBIK + KRISTOF has completed the ‘lahofer winery’ in the czech republic (see previous coverage here), with an undulating roof that merges the building into the ground. nestled in the moravian countryside, the project combines a visitor center, a tasting room, and production facilities that harmoniously coexist with the surrounding vines. the vault of the winery rests on a grid of arched beams, topped with the undulant roof that serves as an amphitheater for cultural events open to both locals and visitors.all images by alex shoots buildings unless stated otherwise

image (also header) by CHYBIK + KRISTOF

CHYBIK + KRISTOF has designed three distinct interconnected structures for the lahofer winery, immersing the entire complex into the surrounding landscape. responding to moravia’s topography and architectural tradition, the project takes its cues from the region’s characteristic arched wine cellars. an undulant roof, which drapes the vaulted winery beneath, acts as an inclined open-air amphitheater and cultural venue. below, lie three separate spaces, each attributed with a distinct function.

‘the design of the lahofer winery is deeply rooted in nature, and in the respect thereof,’ explain founding architects, ondřej chybík and michal krištof. ‘at a time when culture and nature appear to be antagonistic forces, we envision a space reflective of the longstanding symbiosis between the two in the region – one that profoundly respects the environment on which it rests. the structure unfolds into the native terrain, immerses itself into the surrounding vine rows, thereby preserving the essence and integrity of both soil and culture. additionally, moving beyond a purely productive viewpoint, we prioritize the visitor experience, notably by allocating the roof as a public space open to local and international visitors – an experience essential to the understanding and appreciation of the wine.’

embracing the design of archetypal czech wineries, the arched winery unfolds into a vast cellar. each reinforced concrete arch is individually designed to fit a specific angle of the ceiling, while the distance between the arches is determined by that between the vine rows. each module rises from a vine row and runs through the space, achieving perfect visual symmetry and guiding the visitor’s gaze across the grapevines.

facing south, the visitor center is enclosed in glass façade that allows abundant light to enter its interior. the center invites visitors to experience the winery’s produce in the barrique cellar, made of wood, concrete and glass, and adjoining tasting room. a large-scale mural painting by czech contemporary artist patrik hábl covers the entire ceiling area.
image by laurian ghinitoiu

CHYBIK + KRISTOF has designed two halls of distinct heights to house the winery’s production, each mirroring a specific process. the first lower hall centralizes the operations, including wine-making production and employee facilities, while the second allows for operations that require lower temperatures, such as the wine press, the cellar, and the wine store. at the same time, two corresponding functional exterior courtyards on the exterior cater two two different functions.image by laurian ghinitoiu

the first courtyard serves as the operational area, centralizing logistic and production presses, while the second holds the amphitheater, extending sweeping views of the landscape. the amphitheater, which is formed by the undulant roof, overlooks the surrounding vines. expanding on the lahofer winery’s function from a production site into a witness to the local culture, it acts as a community space dedicated to cultural events, including local grape harvest celebrations and theater performances.

image by laurian ghinitoiu

image by laurian ghinitoiu image by laurian ghinitoiu

project info:

architect: CHYBIK + KRISTOF architects & urban designers

team: ondrej chybik, michal kristof, hanin al-gibury, karolina holankova, martin holy, vojtech kouril, ondrej mundl, matej strba, zuzana zathurecka, zuzana pelikanova, victor cojocaru, laura emilija druktenytė, zuzana lisoňová, gabriela voláková

client: lahofer winery

size: 3900 m2 (ground floor area)

location: dobšice, czech republic