Description

The favourable location of the Jackson Triggs winery in the Niagara wine-growing region in the lush countryside of the Two Mile Creek allows for the efficient use of the fertile ground. The large entrance yard in front of the main building lies at the end of a small winding road through rows of vines and vineyards, which were planted for demonstration purposes.

The architectural firm of Kuwabara, Payne, McKenna und Blumberg (KPMB) united both main functions – wine production and visitors’, areas – in a clearly arranged volume underneath a continuous “floating” roof. For the building a limited and simple range of materials reminiscent of traditional agricultural architecture was used. The exterior façade is clad with cement panels and natural stone; the floors are made of concrete, the basement vaults are plastered and the roof structure consists of oak.

The eastern wing of the long building contains two storeys. Visitors enter the generously spaced full height foyer through barn-like oak sliding doors. The foyer is a flexible open space whose front can be opened up during summer; this way the space is turned into a link between the vineyards and the manor house. On the ground floor the public wine sale and wine tasting areas are accessed from here. The upper floor contains offices and meeting rooms of the estate administration.

The actual wine production takes place in the western wing. Large stainless steel tanks for wine fermentation are located here. Extra storage space and the wine barrels are situated in the basement where the enclosing ground ensures a constantly cool and moist environment. The public can visit these wine production spaces during guided tours through the winery.

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Originally published in: Jürgen Adam, Katharina Hausmann, Frank Jüttner, Industrial Buildings: A Design Manual, Birkhäuser, 2004.