Franschhoek, South Africa
2023–
In the Cape Winelands region, around 60 kilometres east of Cape Town, a new wine estate for 4G Wines is being developed in the mountainous landscape of Franschhoek. Once founded by French immigrants and winegrowers, Franschhoek is one of the most important wine-growing areas in South Africa. The grounds of the new estate are shaped by their unique hillside location, offering sweeping views over the landscape. At an elevated point of the site, the new winery with its clear architectural language blends sensitively into its natural surroundings, while being visible from afar as a new landmark of the wine region.
The architecture is based on the logic of wine production. Following the principles of gravity flow, in which production takes place on different levels, the functions of the building are distributed over three compositionally offset levels – from wine production to offices and wine tasting to the apartments. The flat, elongated structures, each consisting of a base, volume and roof, adapt to the topography of the slope, while creating expansive terraces. Landscaped gardens with native plants embed the terraced architecture seamlessly into the landscape, providing a smooth transition from winery to the surrounding nature.
The architectural concept for the winery focusses on durable and sustainable materials. This does not only contribute to an environmentally friendly construction, but also creates a physical connection to the surrounding landscape through its materiality. Rammed earth walls, produced from the excavation of the site itself, regulate temperature and humidity, creating a healthy, comfortable indoor climate. The cantilevered roof construction made of local timber offers protection from the sun and weather conditions, while contributing to biodiversity through its extensive greenery. With its overall low-tech climate concept, the new winery combines functionality with aesthetics and ecological responsibility.