olson kundig's 'red barn winery at jagged rock' punctuates vast british columbia

a red jewel backdropped by canadian rockies

The Red Barn Winery at Jagged Rock, located in Westbank, British Columbia, Canada, has undergone a significant renovation under the vision of Olson Kundig Architects. Originally an agricultural storage building with a modest private tasting room, the facility has been reimagined as a sophisticated hospitality destination that connects visitors directly to the surrounding landscape and the winemaking process.

The barn‘s distinguishing red color serves as a visual beacon amid the vineyard, yet it is carefully designed to be harmonious with its environment. Large transparent sections of the building create a sense of openness, allowing guests to feel immersed in the postcard setting of the vineyard. The design reflects a respectful dialogue with its surroundings, balancing prominence with integration.

images © Nic Lehoux

olson kundig celebrates agricultural architecture

The experience of visiting the Olson Kundig Architects-designed Red Barn Winery begins with a winding approach through the vineyards. The architects curate a journey which leads visitors around the building, providing a scenic view before they arrive at the main entrance. Key additions to the original barn structure — including a staircase, an elevator, and expanded mechanical space — enhance its functionality while maintaining the agricultural aesthetic that defines its character.

Inside the barn, the main level is divided into distinct functional areas. A double-height production facility occupies one side, featuring large garage doors and windows that flood the space with natural light and offer expansive views of the vineyards and the surrounding mountains. This area is dominated by vibrant purple storage tanks and large concrete ‘eggs’ used for wine conditioning, emphasizing the practical aspects of winemaking.

On the opposite side of the barn, a newly added public visitors center offers a front-row seat to the winemaking process. Above this, a glass-walled tasting room is suspended over the production area, providing a dramatic setting for special events. This ‘jewel box’ space contrasts with a more casual hospitality area featuring flexible seating and ribbon windows that frame views of the vineyards and mountains, enhancing the sensory connection to the environment.

Olson Kundig Architects have transformed the Red Barn Winery at Jagged Rock into a new hospitality destination

red barn winery at jagged rocks: a new destination in canada

The guest-oriented spaces within the Red Barn Winery are designed to be bright and inviting. Light wood is used for flooring and wall panels, while white paint and neutral plaster contribute to a warm, comfortable ambiance. The red-painted steel cladding from the building’s exterior makes its way inside, adding a striking accent to the hospitality areas. This thoughtful integration of color and materiality blurs the line between interior and exterior spaces.

The exterior design of the Red Barn Winery complements its interior functionality, with a pergola and water feature creating inviting outdoor gathering spaces adjacent to the visitors center. The proximity of the grapevines to the building reinforces the connection to the land, drawing guests into the lifecycle of the vineyard and enhancing their experience of the winemaking process.

the building’s red exterior is a visual beacon amongst the vast vineyards

‘I’ve had the honor of working with this client for over 20 years, and we’ve both grown to be able to work together pretty seamlessly and to draw inspiration from one another,’ says Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal.

‘I always really enjoy projects that remodel or repurpose existing buildings, because I get to work in conversation with another designer and another client’s vision from the past. In this case, the other designer is a younger version of myself working with a younger version of my client. It was exciting to explore the possibilities of the existing building and rethink some of our original strategies for a new agenda.’

guests are guided through the vineyards along a winding approach, offering scenic views before arrival

‘To me, the basis of architecture is rational poetry, expressed as rational buildings like the original Red Barn. The functional needs of the winery were major drivers for this remodel, so the visitor experience is very attuned to an authentic view of how wine is made,’ Tom Kundig continues.

‘The building really tells the whole story of winemaking – from the vines to production to tasting, even pairing with food that also comes from that landscape. By reshaping an equipment barn to support this new guest experience, we’re able to intentionally bridge both the poetic and functional aspects of winemaking.’

large transparent sections allow for immersion into the surrounding environment

a glass-walled tasting room allow guests to observe and experience the winemaking process from above

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project info:

project title: Red Barn at Jagged Rock

architecture: Olson Kundig Architects | @olsonkundig

location: Westbank, British Columbia, Canada

completion: 2022

photography: © Nic Lehoux | @nic.lehoux

project team: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal; Edward Lalonde, Principal; Gus Lynch, Project Architect / Project Manager; Daniel Renner, Project Manager; Julia Khorsand and Mikel Amias, Architectural Staff; Francesca Krisli, Interior Design Staff; Michelle Arab, ASLA, Landscape; Kelley Pagano, Landscape Staff

key consultants: Meiklejohn Architects, BC Collaborating Architect; Vines & Rebar, General Contractor; Elemental Structural Engineers, Structural Engineer; Rocky Point Engineering, Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer; ICS Engineering, Electrical Engineer; Barry Clarke, Fire Protection Engineer; McElhanney Consulting Services and Jeff Oland Engineering, Civil Engineers