Chateau Margaux - Foster + Partners

 Château Margaux
Bordeaux, France
2009 - 2015
Château Margaux is a Premier Cru and one of the world’s leading wine producers. Since it was built in the early
19th century, the Bordeaux estate has evolved to meet changing operational requirements, but no longer has the
capacity to adapt to meet future needs. Following a 2009 study, the practice has been appointed to design the first
new construction on the site for 200 years, providing the estate with the flexibility and new facilities that will
support its continued quest for excellence.
To address the dual challenge of meeting exacting technical requirements, and integrating with the existing
collection of buildings, the approach has been holistic. The original estate was planned as an entire farming
village, with the chateau surrounded by all of the industrial facilities needed for wine-making. The design retains
this connection between process and architecture. A new building for the production of primarily white wine
extends from the eastern wing of the existing winery complex, balancing the overall composition. Its highly flexible,
open enclosure is shaped by the different wine-making processes and includes a new research and development
centre. In its simplicity, the new building reinterprets the form of the existing industrial facilities and comprises a
pitched roof at the same level, supported by tree-shaped load bearing columns and punctuated by light wells.
In addition to new construction, the ensemble of buildings will be restored to their original design intent and the
existing winery will be connected to a new underground vinothèque. Located away from the flooding area, this will
provide safe, environmentally stable underground storage at the heart of the estate. This new facility is linked with
the current refectory, which will be refurbished to form a new visitors’ centre, welcoming guests as the start and
end point for tours of the estate. The historic Orangerie, the oldest structure on the estate, will also be refurbished.
Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.044418,-0.668706