Chateau Gruaud Larose

Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam

Chateau Gruaud Larose

Sarl Lanoire & Courrian

ARCHITECTS
Sarl Lanoire & Courrian

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
Rt2012

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Sarl Lanoire & Courrian

MANUFACTURERS
Gantois

PROJECT MANAGER
Terrell, Sabine Bricard

PHOTOGRAPHS
Edouard Decam

COST
1,8 M€ Excl. Tax

AREA
290 m²

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Saint-julien-beychevelle, France

CATEGORY
Visitor Center, Watching Tower

Text description provided by architect.

Tasting centre and observation tower at Château Gruaud-Larose in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, in the Médoc.

Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam
Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam

There is now a tower overlooking the countryside in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, at Gruaud Larose. This is 21 metres tall, has an overhang, and is built in a harmonious style with right angles.

It appears enigmatic when seen from afar. While it was being built, some people said that that this would be tallest palombière (wood pigeon hunting hide) in the Médoc...

The owners of Château Gruaud Larose asked Bordeaux architects Lanoire et Courrian to design a new building to house a visitor reception centre, boutique, and tasting room.

Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam
Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam

The project consists of a rectangular parallelipiped building 46 metres by 9 metres set into a natural slope.

This houses a visitor reception centre with plate glass windows on one side overlooking the park and on the other side looking out onto the vines, both with a ground level view.

Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam
Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam

The mineral and vegetated roof of this concrete structure rises up from the slope as though it were an extension of the grounds.

The 21-meter tall observation tower overlooks this pedestal-like building located at its extremity that fits in so well with the park.

The appearance close-up is very attractive, featuring two staircases decorated with a mirrored polish finish stainless steel mesh pattern providing access to the platform on top of the tower.

Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam
Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam
Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam

This sparkles and reflects the surrounding landscape. Traditionally, the high point of visits to the château was the panoramic view from the tower encompassing the Gironde estuary and the entire Gruaud Larose vineyard, located in a single block around the château.

The observation tower perpetuates this magic moment for visitors thanks to a 360 degree view available thanks to automated shutters that open up all along the periphery. When closed, these mirrored polish finish stainless steel blinds blend into the façade.

Chateau Gruaud Larose
© Edouard Decam
Chateau Gruaud Larose
Master Plan

The tower thus seems very mysterious and luminous at night, like a lighthouse in the vines. This sensual project is embedded in the Médoc gravel, taking off towards the vines and the sky, with a view of the vines, the prestigious Gruaud Larose estate, and the estuary.


Chateau Gruaud Larose
Section


Chateau Gruaud Larose
Ground Floor Plan
Chateau Gruaud Larose
Floor Plan