The d’Arenberg Cube

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  • 2018

  • Architectural
    Architectual Design

Commissioned By:

d'Arenberg

Designed In:

Australia

The d’Arenberg Cube is a five storey multi-function centre and tourism destination. Inspired by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking, Chester Osborn designed a cube-shaped building. Opened in 2017, the d’Arenberg Cube offers an indulgent, artistic and informative journey into the depths of d’Arenberg’s viticulture and winemaking.


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  • CHALLENGE
  • SOLUTION
  • IMPACT
  • MORE
  • d'Arenberg's previous tasting room and renowned restaurant, d’Arry’s Verandah, housed in the original Osborn family homestead have been popular for years. Due to the small size of the building, both facilities were always fully booked and people were turned away. There were many limitations to increase visitation and to provide premium wine experiences.

  • Chester Osborn come up with an idea to cater for a larger influx of visitors by creating a unique Cube shaped five storey multi-function centre. The design was complex and difficult, it took many years of Chester Osborn meeting with architects and engineers to arrive at an agreed Cube puzzle/pattern design, as the stories twist. Each of the five levels have been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses. Everything about the d'Arenberg Cube challenges convention. Since opening on 14 Dec 2017, the d'Arenberg Cube has attracted 39000 visitors (The same number of visitors in 2017)

  • The d'Arenberg Cube has had a social impact, with providing people with a unique and memorable experiences. 153 jobs were created during the build (SA businesses) en route to creating 58 new jobs. d’Arenberg employs over 180 staff, making it one of the largest employers in the McLaren Vale region. The tourism benefits are far reaching, with an expected increase in visitation, to d'Arenberg and the the McLaren Vale wine region equating to an increase in sales, more grapes purchased in the area, more economic activity, as well as more work for suppliers and contractors etc.

  • Design features include: • Building appears as if it's floating in the middle of a vineyard • The top stories are twisted permanently like a Rubik's Cube puzzle, blocks are pulled horizontally out and vertically out and one looks like it has fallen out into the carpark. • Umbrellas that shade the roof • Stairwell with mirrors • Artwork installations Interesting toilets • State of the art kitchen Tasting room, interior is very unique • Tasting experiences •More to be seen.