Hill Country Wine Cave

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Stealthily tucked into the\neastern edge of Texas\u0027s Hill Country, this private wine cave sits on a secluded\nriver bend just a short walk from other ranch amenities. The project, designed\nunder the pretense of an existing excavated cave on the north face of a\nlimestone hill, nearly disappears into the native landscape. Its unassuming\nexterior entry count provides just a glimpse of what awaits inside, while\nboulders and lush vegetation help camouflage the cave mouth. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The cave\u0027s dimensional\nconstraints were pre-established by an earlier excavation, challenging the team\nto design a beautiful wine cellar in a site that was neither watertight nor\ncreated for such a purpose. The response is presented in two distinct forms:\nthe insertion of a delicate, human-scaled wooden module and a bulkhead that\nrestrains loose limestone at the cave mouth and provides a predictable surface\nto wed the insert. "]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u0022This beautifully\ndetailed project takes advantage of an excavated cave-like space carved from a\nhillside.\u0022 - Jury Comment"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Careful manipulation of the\nsolids and voids of the insert ensures the cave can be concealed and revealed\nto the occupant, enhancing the sought-after qualities of underground construction\nwhile avoiding unwanted moisture and darkness. A palpable sense of refuge at\nthe entry is the central tenet of the cellar\u0027s design. It offers a sense of\nsubterranean occupation without the overwhelming environmental conditions that\nmight make someone want to leave."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u0022This beautifully\ndetailed project takes advantage of an excavated cave-like space carved from a\nhillside. Within this very tight and constrained existing condition, the strength\nof the design strategy lies in its ability to orchestrate a range of spatial\nexperiences that frame and capitalize on the unique characteristics of this\ncontext,\u0022 noted the jury. "]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u0022Within this very tight and constrained existing condition, the strength\nof the design strategy lies in its ability to orchestrate a range of spatial\nexperiences that frame and capitalize on the unique characteristics of this\ncontext.\u0022 - Jury Comment"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Simple domestic materials,\nall available within 500 miles of the site, were selected for practicality and\nminimal maintenance. The interiors contain raw and ebonized white oak that\nmixes with vertical grain Douglas fir to panel the walls and dropped ceilings.\nReclaimed cedar comprises the live-edge countertop surfaces at the tasting bar\nand floating restroom vanity. With more than 80 feet of geology sitting above\nit, the cellar is surrounded by white oak casework that provides storage for an\never-growing collection of more than 4,000 bottles. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"This project was the first\ncollaboration between the team and the client, and trust was an important\nfactor throughout the design and construction process. The cellar\u0027s success has\nset a new standard for other structures the clients are planning on their\nranch. "]]]]}