Renowned designer Philippe Starck has teamed up with architect Luc Arsène-Henry, LA/HAT Architectes co-founder, to design a 2,000 square meter structure that calls to mind the hull of an overturned ship. The project consists of a wine storehouse in the prestigious Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, the only château and winery located within the city of Bordeaux.
See also: MAISON ET OBJET PARIS 2016: MEET THE TOP EXHIBITORS
The design emphasizes “technical and raw” materials such as reinforced concrete, glass, and metal and the building was designed to to look like a “raw metal blade plunged in the terroir”.
Emerging sharply from the water in the winery grounds of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Starck and Arsène-Henry together have realized a wine cellar that promotes the technical efficacy of the facilities while putting the wine as the focus of the architectural project.
The building has an underground cellar — located underneath a pond so as to preserve the ideal and constant temperature for wine conservation — and a tasting room, as well as a roof terrace with beautiful views over the pond.
Seen from outside, the structure features a streamlined form with stainless steel panels, which led to its comparison with a giant knife blade. The hidden lower level contains the barrel cellar, with room for storing up to 300 wooden barrels. This space is largely protected against changes in air temperature and humidity.
The artists were approached by Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion to create the new cellar for the Bordeaux wine estate, which is located in the Pessac-Léognan wine region.
See also: JEAN-LOUIS DENIOT DESIGNS MIAMI CONDOS
