90's Extensions Wrapped in Acacia; Kolby Gains the Flair of Modern Winery

Published by Aktuálně.cz on 14 May 2024.

The Kolby Winery in Pouzdřany, located in South Moravia, has been completely transformed. The owners have renovated the historic building and visually harmonised modern additions, which previously lacked a cohesive aesthetic. Acclaimed architects from the ORA studio proposed cladding the newer sections in the acacia façade, achieving unity without having to demolish anything.

"The façade has two levels – an outer trellis that supports climbing plants and an inner, denser lattice that occasionally descends to form benches," Jan Veisser and Jan and Barbora Horovi explain, adding that acacia was chosen due to its local abundance. "It is a suitable local wood that meets the requirements for long-term durability thanks to its resilience," they note.

The Kolby owner wanted the appearance and spirit of the winery to reflect his philosophy, emphasising natural methods and respect for the landscape. "The entire estate had recently seen a significant transformation, so it seemed inappropriate to interfere with the existing structures, let alone demolish them. However, it was necessary to alter the buildings' appearance and update operational connections to meet the needs of a modern winery," the architects explain. In addition to unifying the estate, they were tasked with building a dry storage for bottles and a wine bar for visitors.

The renovation team successfully integrated the bar, featuring a long table, into the historic building above the extensive cellars. The dry storage, the most prominent structure in the estate, is designed as a prefabricated concrete hall. "We tinted the concrete to an earthy tone. The forward-set, plant-covered façade shades the concrete structure, contributing to internal temperature stability. Solar panels on the roofs also enhance the sustainability of the winery's operations," they say.