Set in one of the oldest wineries in the Rioja region of Spain, The Hotel Marques de Riscal is found on the edge of the town of Elciego beside a stream. Approached by road through vineyards and wine production facilities that date back to the mid-nineteenth century, the client requested a "chateau for the 21st century, a kind of bed and breakfast for VIPs". This translated into a 27,000 square foot resort which includes 43 guest rooms, a wine therapy spa, conference rooms and a 172 seat Michelin Star restaurant.
The client commissioned a small building which is open to the public so visitors may enjoy the unique experience of the winery and to invigorate the public image of the Vinos de los Herederos company.
The Site
The hotel is set behind historic stone factories requiring a connection between the historic and the modern which is achieved through the combination of materials - the limestone clad base and the coloured titanium and stainless steel.
Set on three stone columns the building provides uninterrupted views of the vineyards, San Andres Church and the town of Elciego. The podium providing a platform for the sculptural forms of the roofs.
The Hotel
The entry plaza leads through a reception area and bar to a small pool, outdoor terrace and covered walkway allowing visitors to enjoy the vistas of the surrounding region.
Offices and meeting rooms are located adjacent to the building and are linked to both the hotel and the production facilities and existing winery offices.
The Design
The design sketches, to me, appear to represent wine bottles swaythed in cloth as it appears when served by a waiter. This impression is reinfoced by Gehry who states the building's exterior reflects the colours of wine. The following pictures distinctly reflecting the concept of flowing wine/cloth in which the bottles are wrapped when served.
The Colours
Titanium panels tinted in pink represent the burgundy hues of the Rioja grape region. The silver represents the foil covering the cork in the bottle. The gold represents the zig-zagging mesh that covers all Marques de Riscal bottles. These colours were achieved by passing titanium through an electric current in an acid bath.
Construction
The cascading roofs are sheathed in titanium and stainless steel, the folds hung over a series of giant cubes of reinforced concrete clad in pale sandstone to blend with the surrounding architectures. Exposed steel structures provide the support for the roofing, the weight being driven into piles at the base of the structure. Counteraction is required by way of angled supports. Due to the difficulty of access to the roof, it was constructed from top to bottom.References:
http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/exquisite-marques-de-riscal-is-like-a-wine-cathedral/ [accessed 29 September 2010]
http://www.arcspace.com/architects/gehry/riscal_winery2/riscal2.htm [accessed 29 September 2010]
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