The medieval commune St Emilion forms the backdrop to a low-lying winery that British architecture studio Foster + Partners has completed for French wine producer Le Dôme.
Hidden within the hills of Bordeaux, France, the Le Dôme winery was designed to complement its rural vineyard surroundings.
Foster + Partners has created a winery close to the St Emilion commune
Foster + Partners was commissioned for the project by Le Dôme owner Jonathan Maltus, who requested a "state of the art" wine production facility.
Maltus' other requirement was that the winery celebrated its site and proximity to the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the Roman era.
The building is marked by a domed roof
"When Jonathan Maltus first approached us, he expressed a desire to create a distinctive new winery, set against the unique backdrop of St Emilion," said the studio's founder Norman Foster. "He wanted the building to be a celebration of the beautiful site, focussing on the views of the vineyard and making the landscape the primary protagonist in the design," he explained.
The winery is designed to complement its surroundings
"The idea was to blend the building with its surroundings while creating a welcoming space for visitors and wine enthusiasts," Foster added.
Le Dôme winery sits at the end of a tree-lined avenue and is marked by a domed roof clad in recycled terracotta tiles.
The building's upper floor is lined with gla...