Thai Vineyard Showcases Natural Materials and Passive Cooling

This wine visitor centre in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2009/03/06/prefab-friday-site-specific-thai-family/" target="_blank">Thailand</a> has us itching for to sit under the cool veranda with good glass of grape-infused goodness overlooking a beautiful 200 acre vineyard. The <a href="http://www.huahinhillsvineyard.com/visitor_center_hhhvy.htm" target="_blank">Sala Visitor Centre</a> is part of the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, about 3 hours south of Bangkok in the coastal resort town of Hua Hin. Designed by Sylvia Soh of <a href="http://www.soh-design.com/SOH.html" target="_blank">Soh Design Studio</a>, the Sala is a gorgeous traditional Thai building with a sweeping roof that showcases local <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/08/16/thai-building-facade-handmade-from-natural-banana-fiber/" target="_blank">natural materials</a> like bamboo, rattan and wood. Efficient cooling is a necessity in the hot and humid Thai climate, so traditional <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/10/06/ceramic-ecooler-screen-is-a-beautiful-passive-cooling-system/" target="_blank">passive cooling strategies</a> were implemented as well.

The visitor center is designed to provide a space for people to learn more about Thai wines. It serves as a tasting room for many of the area's wines.

The centre was designed by Sylvia Soh of Soh Design Studio. It uses many traditional Thai architectural elements, such as large sweeping roofs.

Local natural materials like bamboo, rattan, wood and brick are also used throughout the building.

Passive cooling strategies are employed to keep the pavilion cool with minimal energy use.

Large overhangs, an elevated structure, operable windows and doors, and high roofs encourage natural ventilation.

The building was oriented so that prevailing winds enter the building, and so that it is shaded from the hot afternoon sun.

Large glass windows let in lots of natural daylight and provide excellent views of the vineyard below.

Brick is used extensively throughout, providing an organic touch, linearity and scale to the building even with the tall roof.

Visitors to the center can enjoy wine tastings, a meal in the on-site restaurant, a gift shop, and a meeting facility.

Wine is stored underground in a cellar to keep the wine cool with minimal energy use.

Bamboo is also used extensively throughout the project to clad the main facade, provide sun shade, and line the ceilings.

Sylvia Soh, who heads up Soh Design Studio, worked under Lord Norman Foster in London before starting her own firm in Singapore.

The Sala Visitor Centre is one of the winners for 7th World Architecture Awards.