Moscow-based architecture and research studio Kleinewelt Architekten has completed a new winery and cultural centre in Krasnodarsky Krai, Russia. Named Gay-Kadzor Winery, the 1,500-square-metre multifunctional complex is located halfway between Anapa and Novorossiysk, the sunniest spot of Russia just 5 km away from the sea. 

Apart from being a production facility, the project combines various functions including museum, education, hospitality and entertainment facilities. Designed as a truly innovative project, the traditional wine producers in Spain, France and Italy have long been using modern architecture as an attractor, according to the architects.

"Construction of this type of buildings appealed to Frank Gehry, Norman Foster, Santiago Calatrava, Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, Christian de Portzamparc and the current winners of the most prestigious architecture prize, Pritzker award, Spanish RCR Architects," said Kleinewelt Architekten.

"It is to be noted that, except for some rare cases, the architecture of the "star" wineries does not tend to promote itself, striving rather to highlight the surrounding scenery of wine yards and local production practices. As the construction goes on, the Winery will be supplemented by a museum, mini hotels and observation decks," the firm added.

The Kleinewelt Architekten team has decided to embrace every function typical for a public facility. "Gai-Kodzor wine is served in any neighbouring restaurant, so it was necessary to come up with some idea that would attract visitors," said Nikolai Pereslegin. 

"It is not just a winery, it should be a culture center with its lecture hall, café, observation deck and, prospectively, a small hotel. Such versatile approach is unusual for Europe, to say nothing of Russia."

At the same time, in keeping with the best European traditions, the winery is integrated in the natural environment. "Of course, one of the major tasks was to retain the magnificent relief which had been geologically formed here," commented Georgy Trofimov. 

"The environment requires as much attention as the town. Sometimes even more. Therefore, the winery provides a sort of 'frame' for the surroundings: the columns and structures 'fix' certain aspect views, just like camera lens.  As a result, the pavilions on the hill top inevitably attract attention, while mildly dissolving in the air of nearly Tuscan landscape, sun-kissed and semi-transparent."

"This is all the more surprising if one takes into account that the authors have realized their dream to build a structure where the exposed concrete is used both as a finishing and load bearing material. The resulting building is 'green' in every sense!," added Trofimov.

Besides being in harmony with the surrounding landscape, the complex has an oasis in its centre, composed of rare flora species which have provided the basis of the ornamental decorations used to create extraordinary dancing shadows in its interior. 

"The grapes enjoy favourable conditions in Gai-Kodzor, while there are fewer plants of other kind in the locality," explained Nikolai. 

"We scanned the flowers of the site and integrated their patterns in the claddings made of corten steel. The ornamental patterns will be projected to the pavilion walls. Gai-Kodzor is the place in our country’s geography having the longest sunny season, so we decided to use dancing shadows in the interiors."

The design of the winery complies with all current requirements of environmentally friendly and sustainable architecture: wind generators, solar batteries and other technologies help to save electricity. The new building is a sort of 'museum' of both innovative and traditional technologies. Each room is devoted to a different kind of wine. 

"When moving around the Winery, one can see the entire production process," promised Sergei Pereslegin. "The building has already the processing equipment installed and it looks absolutely fantastic," he added.

Project facts

Project Name: Gay-Kadzor Winery

Architect or Architecture Firm: Kleinewelt Architekten

Completion Year: 2017

Built Area(m2 or sqft): 1,500 square meters

Project Location: Krasnodarsky Kray, Anapa, Gay-Kadzor

All images © Ilya Ivanov

> via Kleinewelt Architekten