Foster + Partners has revealed visuals of Le Dôme winery that is designed to blend in with the rolling hills of the historic commune Saint-Émilion in France.
Le Dôme will be located in one of the vineyards of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which dates back to the Roman era. It will combine "state of the art" wine production facilities with a tasting bar for visitors.
Its hill-like form is designed to mimic the gentle slopes of the vineyards, and will be combined with panoramic glazing to maximise views in and out of the building. Foster + Partners hopes this will help the building engage "in dialogue with the surrounding landscape".

"The views and the landscape have always been the primary protagonists of the design," explained Norman Foster, founder of Foster + Partners. "The process of winemaking is taken to the heart of the building and the upper level provides a flexible area for people to gather and taste the wonderful wine of the terroir. The direct visual connection between the inside and outside, wine tasting and production, creates a unique and unified space for Le Dôme."

Positioned at the end of a tree-lined avenue, Le Dôme will be characterised by walls of rammed earth, concrete and glazing, topped by a domed roof made from terracotta tiles.
It will comprise two storeys ? one above ground and one partially buried within it to reduce its visual impact on the landscape. These will be lined with a warm material palet...