Acclaimed architect Frank O Gehry - known for his immense titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain - is opting for stone and stucco with his latest project in California's Napa Valley.
Gehry will be redesigning the Kathryn Hall Vineyards estate, owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall. Hired last August, the Canadian-born architect’s plan is to strip the existing building of its corrugated metal facade to reveal the original 1885 stone-and-wood structure.
A modern visitor centre, constructed essentially of glass, wood and stucco, will be built separately.
The designs first have to be approved by the Napa County Department of Conservation, Development and Planning. There will be a hearing in around five months.
Gehry has two other current wine-related projects — Le Clos Jordan’s new winery in Niagara, Canada, which he describes as a ‘cathedral of wine’, and a striking new hotel and conference centre at the Marque de Riscal winery in Rioja, with a red, gold and silver titanium roof.
Written by Melissa Zehnder
