Vargas Associati: winery

Upon arrival, the recent agricultural complex designed by Italian studio Vargas Associati (Davide Vargas and Luciano Palmiero) slowly reveals itself upon approach, emerging from the surrounding vineyards. From the path that lead up to the main building, a piazza seems to emerge, only to reveal the ceiling of a partially underground volume, which harbours the cellar and its adjacent spaces.

The articulation of the winery complex is derived from a process the architect compares to "the falling of the grapes", which determined the a large part of the building should be sunken. In the exterior, around the piazza, two pavilions harbouring the office spaces and the tasting facilities are located. These long volumes are covered in a sloping roof, which collects and reuses the rainwater.

"The pavilions," states Vargas, "are closed off with glass and wood, a sort of subtle, transparent skin which allows contemplation of the powerful landscape that surrounds the buildings."

The project's sustainability arises from the expert use of materials and their sensible combination, alongside the use of photovoltaic panels, which allow the complex to run self-sufficiently. Services and waste disposal are perpendicular to both pavilions, connected by a system of ramps with the remaining spaces.

Davide Vargas: winery in Caserta, Italy
Client: Soc. Agricola. Sclavia s.r.l.
Location: comune di Liberi, Caserta
Architectural design: Vargas Associati (Davide Vargas, Luciano Palmiero)
Collaborators: Giancarla Verolla, Francesca Parisi
Typology: agricultural company, wine production
Site area: 36,837,00 square metres
Covered area: 1,560,00 square metres
Cost: € 1,022,000,00
Completion: 2011