68 | Winery a winner at awards The building relies largely on timber as a natural and sustainable material, and walls of vertical timber slats mirror the vineyards physical structure. Photographer: Andy Spain. Aspect Architecture: Nga Waka Cellar Door T T Richard Loader ARCHITECTURE Martinborough based Aspect Architecture is a small company making a big impact in the Wairarapa. Specialising in bespoke lifestyle projects from high end residential to winery and hospitality, every project is unique and specific to the client. Director Victoria Read says Martinborough’s main attraction is wine and designing a cellar door or winery is about reflecting a company’s philosophy and brand which means no two wineries are the same. “Wineries are very specialised as you’re combining commercial functionality with a client’s brand. With a cellar door, you are creating a space where wine is the hero, and people can feel part of the vineyard’s community and that they’re connecting with the wine and the wine making process,” believes Victoria. A recent cellar door project for Nga Waka wines in Martinborough is one of several winery-based projects for the firm and was a winner in the NZIA Wellington Architecture award in the Hospitality section. The building reflects the vineyard’s branding which is based on the legend of Polynesian explorer Kupe, with the bottom of the building representing Kupe’s canoe, and the roof representing the sail. “We used a lot of design techniques to reference the vineyard’s logo, the repetition found on a vineyard, and the hand-crafted nature of the wine and wine making process. There are a lot of posts in a vineyard and we’ve used that repetitive type of language in the building,” she says. The building relies largely on timber as a “We used a lot of design techniques to reference the vineyard’s logo, the repetition found on a vineyard, and the hand-crafted nature of the wine and wine making process.” natural and sustainable material, and walls of vertical timber slats mirror the vineyards physical structure. Several vineyards in Wairarapa have celebrated their brand by investing in great architectural design with Aspect. Poppies Martinborough has a winery, barrel room venue and apartment that successfully blends functionality with their brand. “The language of the building is their brand, it all works together and is what people see and experience. It says what you are and celebrates a wineries story as well as meeting functional needs,” says Victoria. “Everybody has different philosophies behind their brand and our experience helps build on these and bring all the threads together.” To capture a client’s story, the architect needs to know them well and to understand how they’re going to use the building. It then becomes a collaboration with many others such as engineers, builders, fire engineers, chefs, with everyone working together. “Architects are the Jack of all trades as we’re in the middle and need to know everything about that building and the building processes,” she laughs. Most of Aspect’s work is high-end residential with owners who live in other parts of New Zealand or overseas. During Covid entire homes were designed, built and completed before Victoria met with the clients face to face. “We’ve always had clients at a distance so we were used to working on-line. Clients appreciate having a local architect to design their home as we know the climate and conditions and we know the council. We get a good building firm on board and project manage the build,” says Victoria. For Nga Waka cellar door Victoria used Holmes Construction who were working through Covid and all its associated problems. “They were incredible. They managed to get through without a price increase across the job,” she says. Architecturally Designed Windows and Doors Proudly supporting Aspect Architecture on another successful project We provide premium quality joinery that is custommade to suit all aspects of the demanding New Zealand environment. Our experienced team services the Wairarapa and Wellington area and is dedicated to finding the best solution for your requirements. Phone (06) 304 9441 | 14 Bidwills Cutting Road, Greytown
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