Garden pavilion in Bizeljsko region

Most of us know Bizeljska only from “below”, i.e. from the main road connecting Brežice with Podčetrtek. From here, the relatively wide and picturesque Sotel Valley opens out, but the real gems of the landscape are hidden on the slopes and hills, which are only a short distance from the main road towards the mountainous hinterland.

The tasting pavilion was set up on the edge of the farmhouse courtyard, with an open view of the hillsides of vineyards, pastures and forest patches. It is positioned precisely on the axis of the wine cellar, as a link between the landscape where the taste of wine develops and the space where the wine matures and refines in the barrels. The pavilion is fully open at the front, with a free entrance, passage and views of the slopes. It is enclosed from the side by almost invisible glazing, which protects it from strong easterly winds. Even though it is in fact a rather open, almost exposed space under the roof, we have created a specific ambience of the interior space, mainly by designing a unique wooden structure.

The structure of the pavilion consists of repeating wooden frames, which rhythmically reproduce the dimensions of a typical vineyard shed covered with a red gabled roof on the outside. Inside, the uniquely designed roof structure transforms the interior space into a pointed form that “pulls” the space upwards and gives it almost ghostly dimensions. Although it is almost impossible and thankless to compare viticulture and architecture, we wanted to do the same with the design of the pavilion: to combine simplicity and complexity into a single structure, which is also recognisable in local winemakers.

In most cases, the timber is sawn into beams, planks and slats. Simple linear shapes, if their potential is not recognised, can remain in reality just that – what we sawed them into at the sawmill. Only by skillfully and creatively combining simple elements into a whole can a rich and multifaceted composition be created, much like combining simple tones in music. In the design of the pavilion, we have therefore tried to keep the basic tones, the individual beams and mouldings, legible and recognisable to the eye. The ear can therefore, if it wishes, listen to each individual note, but at the same time, the tact and harmony of the peaceful vineyard melody, intertwined with the wonderful flavour of the blue frankincense, really resonate in the air.

Authors of the project: BLENKUŠ Matej, CIMPERMAN Katja, REZAR Tadej