chateau margaux foster partners.pdf

  Chateau Margaux Bordeaux, France

2009 - 2015

Château Margaux is a Premier Cru and one of the world’s leading wine producers. Since it was built in the early

19th century, the Bordeaux estate has evolved to meet changing operational requirements, but no longer has the

capacity to adapt to meet future needs. Following a 2009 study, the practice has been appointed to design the first

new construction on the site for 200 years, providing the estate with the flexibility and new facilities that will

support its continued quest for excellence.

To address the dual challenge of meeting exacting technical requirements, and integrating with the existing

collection of buildings, the approach has been holistic. The original estate was planned as an entire farming

village, with the chateau surrounded by all of the industrial facilities needed for wine-making. The design retains

this connection between process and architecture. A new building for the production of primarily white wine

extends from the eastern wing of the existing winery complex, balancing the overall composition. Its highly flexible,

open enclosure is shaped by the different wine-making processes and includes a new research and development

centre. In its simplicity, the new building reinterprets the form of the existing industrial facilities and comprises a

pitched roof at the same level, supported by tree-shaped load bearing columns and punctuated by light wells.

In addition to new construction, the ensemble of buildings will be restored to their original design intent and the

existing winery will be connected to a new underground vinothèque. Located away from the flooding area, this will

provide safe, environmentally stable underground storage at the heart of the estate. This new facility is linked with

the current refectory, which will be refurbished to form a new visitors’ centre, welcoming guests as the start and

end point for tours of the estate. The historic Orangerie, the oldest structure on the estate, will also be refurbished.

Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.044418,-0.668706