A SIGNATURE WINERY IN SOAVE, INSPIRED BY ITS VINEYARDS AND HILLS AND OF COURSE, COMPATIBLE: HOW 8 YOUNG ARCHITECTS ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE, LAUNCHED BY "DOMUS ACADEMY" OF MILAN AND THE CONSORTIUM OF SOAVE

Super star architects like Renzo Piano, Massimiliano Fuksas, Mario Botta, Frank Gehry, Christian de Portzamparc, Massimo Pagliari, Jean Nouvel and now also the sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, have transformed and are transforming wineries into real works of art, not just aesthetically, but also from the standpoint of function and environmental impact.
It is definitely a difficult task to challenge the leading names in the world of architecture, but the project promoted by the Domus Academy in Milan, the first post-graduate school of design in Italy, in collaboration with the Consortium for the protection of Soave wines, has done just that and eight young architects from around the world, from India to Malaysia, Singapore to Lebanon, Turkey to Greece, have accepted the challenge. From July to October they will be upgrading and renovating a winery in the Soave production area, taking inspiration from the elements that make up the landscape of its hills and vineyards, centered around balance, harmony and respect of form. The must? The project must be feasible and of course compatible with the surrounding landscape (info: www.ilsoave.com).
Thus, eight young architects, taking part in the post graduate specialization course, a Master in Interior and Living Design 2012, will put all their knowledge into upgrading and renovating a winery – the name is soon to be revealed - which will then be discussed in front of the assessment committee. These young professionals have come to the Soave territory, not only to see the real state of the structure, but also to grasp the essence of the landscape for their renovation project.
It is, in fact, unthinkable, explained the Consortium, to separate the landscape from the architecture of the wineries. Balance, harmony, compatibility with form go hand in hand in Soave- where far sighted urban decisions have made it possible to develop many trade and economic activities, without ever undermining the integrity of the viticulture landscape. Last but not least, landscape and land are now perceived as real working tools: they are limited resources and therefore need to be protected and used with care and respect. Hence, says the consortium, the more and more popular trend among producers of low environmental impact techniques, such as integrated pest management and sexual confusion, an obvious symbol of a commitment from the production world to protect the integrity of the environment.