Winery VV by Vinetiq

Puurs, Belgium

2020

Inspired by the atypical nature of the brief, Winery VV is a project that derives its individuality from its place and architecture. Located in the middle of the beautiful rural area of Flanders, old asparagus fields made place for the Valke Vleug Winery in Puurs, covering a vineyard of 17 000 vines. Respecting the Flemish tradition, Vincent Van Duysen Architects embedded the project in the existing landscape paying homage to the old agricultural buildings in the rural area of Klein Brabant. The design of wineries have received great architectural interest abroad, which in Belgium has still been exceptional so far. The project takes its name from the Valke Loop, a watercourse found on old registry plans as ‘Valke Vleugel’.

The design approach reflects the concept of a traditional Flemish farmhouse, which forms an integral part of the rural heritage. By implementing volumes that forms a hierarchy in the existing open landscape, we have responded to the present horizontality and created a dialogue with the surrounding landscape. The main multipurpose building, the outbuildings for agricultural utilities and the house create a clear border around the courtyard – the heart of the winery - but the open side permits a connectedness to the surrounding nature.

Once entering the central courtyard through the passage of the main building, the viewer is alert to the coherence of the space and its configuration. A central courtyard covering in lava stone is formed, blurring the boundaries within the surrounding greenery. Protected by the functional buildings and monolithic concrete walls, the view opens up onto the vineyards, providing misty landscapes, sunrises, sunsets and the views on the undeveloped landscape. The main building houses among others an area for the production of wine and a wine tasting space. The large sliding windows of the tasting area with its floor continuation blends in the extend of the outdoor terrace and the view on the landscape.

The main common factor of asparagus cultivation and viticulture is that both require linear plantings and ensure a horizontal image in the landscape. A tight flattened line in the landscape is present due to the uniform height of the vines and the long volume of the different barns. The horizontal character is interrupted by a dark wooden volume bringing verticality into the hierarchy of the different components. This results in a residence with a specific appearance and thus establishes a link with the stately connotations of a vineyard. The position of the old oak on the property provides a counterweight to the residential tower, providing shade to the horse slope and serving as a beacon for the vineyard.

A thorough approach with regard to details and purity of the materials strengthens the contemporary character of the architectural language. The foundation of the buildings is the brown-grey colour of the concrete which blends into the present earth tones. These elements provide a visual continuation between the indoor and outdoor spaces, creating blurred boundaries into the landscape. Making reference to the old barns, the dark wood contrasts with the landscape along with the use of the concrete.

It was vital to achieve a timeless but contemporary palette of materials, but it was also essential to attach importance to the ecological working method. The general sustainable approach is the basic design, investigating materials that would enhance the careful functionality of a vineyard. The structures are kept to a functional minimum, compromising with a durable yet powerful palette of materials. The concrete base is reusable, the pavement and heated zones are kept to an absolute minimum and all wood is sustainable.

This palette of concrete, dark wood and lava stone is tempered by the surroundings – the green of the poplars and willow trees, the vines and the water feature. From a distance the abstraction of the volumes is complete – but coming closer these shelter VVDA’s first cool climate winery.

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Photography:

Koen Van Damme

Vinetiq website:

Visit Vinetiq here

Publications:

Sabato - De Tijd, February 2020

Gazet Van Antwerpen, February 2020

Archello, February 2020

dearchitect.nl, February 2020

Casabella, Giugno 2020

AD Spain, November 2020