Somlo Winery Complex / Ekler Architect

Architects: Ekler Architect
Location: Somló, Hungary
Architect In Charge: Dezső Ekler
Design Team: Árpád Koncz, Gyöngyi Berta, Balázs Győri, János Gatter, Veronika Katona, Dalma Kiss, Bálint Berki
Area: 5,947 sqm
Year: 2012
Photographs: Tamás Bujnovszky

Structural Engineering: E&H Ltd.
M&E: PHQ Ltd.
Interior Design: Ekler Architect Ltd., BIVA Ltd.
Environment Design: Bojza Lp.
Contractor: Pannon Épszer Ltd.
Client: Kreinbacher Champagne Winery Ltd., Szent Ilona Winery Ltd.

The first phase of a winery complex by Budapest-based practice Ekler Architect has been recently completed in Hungary’s wine region of Somló. The twin buildings containing the traditional winery and the champagne winery are part of a larger development. A champagne maturing factory and a hotel will complete the building ensemble, these are currently under construction. The individual buildings were designed not at the same time therefore they bear different characteristics.

From the approach they are concealed by an artificial hill that blends in with the topography of the volcanic Somló Mountain. Thought at the rear the interiors are open and oriented to direct outward views towards the hill and adjacent vineyards. In contrast the champagne winery seems an emerging element from its surroundings.

The monolithic concrete masses evoke forms of geological forces with shapes of lava flows appearing in their layouts and forms of tectonic movements and lava tunnels appearing in their sections.

The ground level spaces in both buildings receive daylight partly from above and contain the processing, administrative offices and labs.

Cellars get daylight only indirectly and facilitate maturation, bottling, storage and statistics.

Catering is a significant objective for the building complex. The cantilevered structure protruding from the hill-form of the winery contains the tasting room of visitors with a panorama of the countryside.