021 GAIA / HAIN

Werder (Havel)

2021-2023

Christian Cotting
Emily Schlatter
Jakob Wolters
und Jurek Brüggen

GAIA and HAIN are located at the foot of a vineyard, adjacent to a biodiverse landscape along the River Havel. Designed as storage and production facilities for the vineyard, these buildings go beyond simply protecting the environment—they actively contribute to the regeneration of the climate, nature, and built surroundings.

Both GAIA and HAIN are constructed almost entirely from natural, recycled, local, and renewable materials. Their design prioritizes ecological integration not only during their use for viticulture but also beyond the lifespan of their structures. These buildings are designed to remain valuable habitats for wildlife even after their functional use ends, demonstrating a long-term vision for coexistence with the natural world.

Through their thoughtful design, GAIA and HAIN propose a model for ecological development on a small, tangible scale. They embody an architecture that not only serves human needs but also improves the Earth, fostering a future where built environments support life in all its forms.





HAIN emerges as an extension of a grove, blending living trees with structural elements crafted from local larch wood. Serving as shelving and storage for the winery’s equipment and tools, HAIN incorporates additional tree plantings to supplement the existing grove. Between the trees, cross-cut larch trunks are mounted on a subterranean wooden foundation, creating a harmonious integration of natural and functional elements.

GAIA functions as the vineyard’s primary storage building, designed with cultural and ecological significance. For centuries, the Brandenburg region has seen fieldstones, or Feldsteine, pushed to the surface by frost and soil cultivation. Historically, these stones were repurposed for foundations, churches, barns, and roads, while surplus stones formed piles at the edges of fields, creating biotopes rich in biodiversity. GAIA draws inspiration from this tradition, reusing fieldstones salvaged from a demolished nearby road to construct its layered façade and roof.This design not only preserves the local heritage of fieldstone construction but also creates habitats for plants, lichens, birds, insects, and amphibians. Over time, the building’s appearance will evolve as flora and fauna colonize its surfaces, making it a living, dynamic structure.

Inside, GAIA’s thermal mass ensures a stable climate ideal for wine storage. The building’s support structure is crafted from undried local larch wood, while clay—used for brickwork, the cap ceiling, and rammed-earth flooring—complements its natural composition. The foundation and ground floor are constructed from reused fieldstones and bricks, eliminating the need for concrete or composite materials. On the upper floor, a reversible functional layer accommodates the technical installations required for the winery’s operation.
































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