A vineyard in the Willamette Valley has nourished a single-family residence in the hills of Dundee, Oregon named Big Fir Vineyard. The elegant design of the spaces has no bars between indoor and outdoor elements which seamlessly blends with the topography and landscape of the site. The roof shape resembles the slope of the site. Big Fir is comfortably nestled into a newly planted vineyard, oriented to harmonise with the rows of vines.
The planning strategy included of the house included both the slope of the land and the linear overlay of the vines. These two patterns that is the topography and the vine rows are set at 45 degrees to each other, with the grapevines planted on a four-foot interval running north to south, the optimal sun orientation for growing. While the main axis of the home is aligned along the contours of the site and on the bias of the vineyard pattern. The location of the built forms provides an exquisite view of the cascading vineyard at the bottom.
The angle adjustments made in the plan emphasises the connection to the vineyard. The steepest slope at the edge of the house has the main bedroom and a stunning view of the rows of vines. The foot of a custom bed frame sits flush against the wall, with a large operable window that gives the sensation of sleeping outdoors.The vineyard pattern is also the basis for two notches in the floorplan. One forms the main entry vestibule, along which a three-sided wood-burning fireplace becomes the centerpiece of the living area. The other notch is an inward cut which subtly separates the living area from the kitchen/dining and creates additional bench seating on both the interior and exterior.
Clerestory windows on the southern façade and translucent panels above the outdoor pavilion are placed to filter light to mitigate heat from intense summer sun without keeping the space dark. Board and batten cedar siding have been placed that forms a screen around the home, tempering sunlight at the interior workroom.
To blend seamlessly into nature, the materials were chosen strategically that could make justice to both indoor and outdoor living spaces. Concrete floors are tinted with colour to match the Jory soil of the area; cedar beams, milestone plaster walls, and dark soapstone countertops reflect the colours of the site.With the inclined topography and surreal landscape, multiple patios step down guided by wood screens and colored concrete retaining walls.The outdoor pavilion features a large outdoor fireplace, making it the perfect gathering place for dining amongst the vines.
Multiple spaces come along together and form a deviating campus that nourishes the thought of blending into nature. Big Fir Vineyard is an escape within the lapse of nature.
Fact File
Firm name : Prentiss + Balance + Wickline architects
Photography Credits : Andrew Pogue
Area : 1783 Sq. ft.
Location : Dundee, Oregon
Year of completion : 2022
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