Rooted; A Scanian Vineyard

Abstract

In the past few decades, a new rural economy has emerged, shifting the focus from solely being on the effectiveness of production, to revolving more around tourism and recreation. This development has affected agricultural architecture in general, and wine estates in particular. Within this shift, architecture plays a central role in shaping atmosphere, expressing heritage and creating new possibilities for engagement with the rural landscape. Simultaneously, a new typology is emerging in the rural landscape of Southern Sweden - the winery. Whilst this building typology has a long history and strong traditions in other parts of the world, it is new to the Swedish context, and a typical architectural expression has yet to be established. Using literature studies, case studies and traditional architectural sketching methods, this thesis aims to investigate what could define a Scanian vineyard, by means of research through design, research on wine architecture as well as architecture connected to place. Through volume, program distribution, material selection and detailing, the project results in a winery with high aesthetic qualities, a focus on the visitor’s atmospheric experience, and a clear connection to its site. This thesis is a contribution to the knowledge of Swedish wine architecture as well as the discussion of critical regionalism. It is an example of how one could work with a modern type of agricultural architecture with tourism as a major interest, and a strong connection to place. It results in a design proposal where materials and details have been a central focus, supporting both functionality and aesthetic quality and contributing to an atmosphere worth experiencing. Together with the spatial sequence created through the variation in size and experience of the rooms, this forms the core character of the project. The outcome is a design that bridges the gap between visitor areas and production facilities, creating an experience oriented winery, and contributing to a thriving countryside.