Weritas – Regional Visitor and Wine Center / gerner°gerner plus

Architects: gerner°gerner plus
Location: Lower Austria, Austria
Design Team: Matthias Raiger, Peter Blasl, Laurenz Vogel, Oliver Gerner, Christian Münster
Area: 550.0 sqm
Year: 2009
Photographs: Matthias Raiger

From the architect. The new regional visitor and wine center in Kirchberg am Wagram, Lower Austria, comprises about 550 square metres floor space on two levels. The main structure of the building is made of reinforced concrete with additional steel columns behind the glass façade. A large underground space makes the building appear smaller than it actually is. The visible building part with its green-grey fibre-cement façade sits on top of the steep sloping site and the subsequent modelling of the topography blends the building smoothly into the surrounding landscape. Only a glass-box stands out considerably between the trees and is clearly visible as a landmark.

The location of the building on a steep slope has actually proved to be a technical advantage. The underground spaces stay cool in summer and reduce the need for air conditioning. By using geothermal energy the whole building reaches low energy standard. The complete building is designed to be barrier-free accessible. The tasting room in the first level as well as the workshop and storage rooms in the basement can be reached by ramps and restrooms for handicapped persons are provided on both floors.

“The area around the Wagram is both scenically and topographically unrivalled. For us, it was obvious from the very first sight that we wanted to transmit the formative terrain edge in this project. The square-edged glass box balancing on the porous, gritty loess… that is a fascinating contrast.” gerner°gerner plus