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Spotlight: Alton Wines, 2021 GRAY Awards Finalist

A closer look at Alton Wines, one of five finalists in the 2021 GRAY Awards Commercial Architecture category.


Alton Wines


Alton Wines sprawling winery in Walla Walla, Washington Commercial Architecture

Built on a wave-like landform just outside of Walla Walla, Washington, Alton Wines is nestled into an existing cove that is formed by the surrounding vineyards. The site itself is an untouched pocket amongst vast swathes of working farmland. The plot had been deemed ‘unfarmable’ due to the soil makeup and location, so the owner sat on it, waiting for the right opportunity to build something special, but it had to have a design that was sensitive to the land.


Alton Wines sprawling winery in Walla Walla, Washington Commercial Architecture

The resulting winery, designed by Seattle's GoC Studio, has a rigorous structural grid with framed openings throughout the building. Starting at the approach to the structure, steel bays form an arbor which will be planted with grape vines, creating much needed shade on hot summer days. This arbor structure passes through the building and forms the awning for the south terrace outside the tasting room. Sliding doors and windows enclose the tasting room, and the entire building is capped by a sheltering roof. A skylight and a carved entry opening help to anchor the west end of the space, funnel natural light deep into the building, and frame sky views throughout the seasons.



PROJECT DETAILS

Design Team:

Jon Gentry AIA

Aimée O’Carroll ARB

Ashley Skidmore


Collaboraators:

J Welch Engineering - Structural and Civil Engineering

Mountain States Construction Company - General Contractor

Kevin Scott - Photographer

Juan Benavides - Videographer


Date of Completion: July 2020



 

Additional Architecture, Commercial finalists:


AutoCamp Yosemite


Blu Dot Showroom


The Century Project at the Space Needle


Comedor Restaurant



Check out the Quick List to see all of the 2021 GRAY Awards finalists!



 


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DEC 10, 2021 | 7pm PST

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