ludescher-lutz architects' vineyard högl completed in wachau, austria

ludescher-lutz architects’ vineyard högl completed in wachau, austria
all images courtesy of luescher-lutz architecture 

located near the edge of austria’s wachau region, where the spitzergraben tributary opens towards the northwestern waldviertel, is ‘vineyard högl’. the climate is on the edge of optimum viticulture, slightly cold and inhospitable. however the weather, and the rich gneiss and mica schist soil, are precisely why wine from the region is so unique. in honor of the distinctness of each blend and the differences between each region, a structure was created to anchor the orchard in image and history.

wine tasting area 

dominated by a landscape of steep terraces, the contemporary building symbolizes the strength of the place, joining in ensemble with pre-existing architecture. after moving inside from the courtyard, visitors step into the oak-filled tasting room. here, handcrafted elements by ludescher–lutz architecture — who completed the project in its entirety — stand boldly to compliment the range of daring tastes and smells. further down the road is the production hall, where the grapes are smashed, processed, and barreled before eventually making their way into the expert hands of barmen and sommelier.

oak interior with handcrafted furnishings

materially, ‘vineyard högl’ integrates itself into the historical discourse of the wachau. it has think plaster walls, accented by a gable wall and various regional craft elements. glass surfaces are shielded by tight, white-washed wooden slats. the roof is a contemporary version of a classic style that has deep roots within the region’s cultural history, dating all the way back to the monarchy. 

entrance courtyard 

façade, street side 

front façade

wachau, austria 

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edited by: nick brink | designboom