Gorgeous Summer Home in Austria Doubles as a Wine Cellar

Some of the most striking green buildings we've seen come in the simplest packages, and this is definitely true of <a href="http://www.judithbenzer.com/">Judith Benzer Architektur's</a> gorgeous summer home in Austria. Modeled after the Kellerstöckel (wine houses) typical of Austria's Southern Burgenland region and designed to enhance its surrounding environment, the raw, simple house has a ferroconcrete cellar where wine is kept and produced, while the ground and first levels are built entirely out of wood.

This gorgeous summer home sits lightly in the Austrian countryside

Shutters close down in the winter to protect the home and to make it as unobtrusive as possible

During summer, the shutters provide shading against the sun

The ground and first level are constructed entirely from wood

The cellar, where wine is produced and stored, is constructed from ferroconcrete

The materials were deliberately left untreated, enhancing their natural appearance

The interior is sleek and minimalist

Thoughtfully-placed windows provide daylighting and excellent views

Everything is clean and in its place

Some of the most beautiful homes are also the simplest

Plans demonstrate how Judith Benzer paid respects to Southern Austria's vernacular architecture