"The architect's sprezzatura is showing" says commenter

In this week's comments update, readers are discussing a visitor centre hidden within a 100-year-old Greek vineyard.

Architecture practice K-studio buried the visitor centre in the stepped stone terraces of the vineyard, which is located on the Greek island of Samos. The project, called Liknon, was created for drinks company Metaxa and includes a sequence of display and tasting rooms connected by stone steps and pathways.

"A modernised historic structure with a soul" 

Commenters were in awe of the vineyard project. "Looks like it was always there," wrote MrG. "Fits right in. Love it."

CharlieBing was similarly impressed. For them, the project was both "classy and interesting".

"Refreshing absence of a new, modern, 'look-at-me' winery building," wrote Marius. "Excellent, sensitive execution. The architect's sprezzatura is showing."

Ken Steffes thought it was "a modernised historic structure with a soul. Super!"

Were you also won over by Liknon? Join the discussion ›

"This is like the cupcake salesman criticising bread" 

Sparking fierce debate in the comments section was the news that British designer Thomas Heatherwick has taken aim at the "cult of modernist architecture" in a new BBC radio series. Heatherwick made the comments in a three-part series on BBC Radio 4 called Building Soul with Thomas Heatherwick.

"I think we're living through a global 'blandemic' in building design," Heatherwick told listeners in the second episode, aired on 10 October and titled The Cult of Modernist Architecture.

Commenter BBOB agreed with Heatherwick's critique. "Modernist architecture is a big mistake, and we see it dulling down cities all over the world."

They went on to say "most of my fellow architects don't know how to design a classical building. They only know how to do modernist architecture. The art is almost lost".

However, on the other side of the argument, several readers strongly disputed Heatherwick's critique of Le Corbusier.

"Blaming Le Corbusier is an old hat," argued Andrew Stys. "Post modernists have done it already, forty years ago when the critique might have been relevant".

"I may consider Heatherwick's opinion on Le Corbusier seriously if I see him designing visionary and affordable housing in London," they added.

In a comment that was upvoted 15 times, Joeyrobots wrote "Corb was at least trying to solve social problems. This is like the cupcake salesman criticising bread".

What do you make of Heatherwick's comments? Join the discussion ›

"Just sensational"

Another project which readers fell in love with this week was the Beato Convent Events Centre, an events space housed within a former convent in Lisbon.

"Really lovely," commented JZ. "The design team appropriately took the Hippocratic oath and did no harm in treating their patient."

Chris D thought the project was "beautifully done." They added "it's quite an art to achieve the integration of modern requirements so discreetly".

"Just wow – beautiful work," agreed CharlieBing  "The view of the second floor of the cloister with the herringbone tiles is just sensational."

However, commenter Souji wasn't so sure.

"Overall, this is a very good project, but does no one else find the paving of the cloister weird?" they said. "Like there is something missing? In some places, there are details missing which makes it feel too empty at times."

Are you a fan of Risco's renovation? Join the discussion ›

Comments update

Dezeen is the world's most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page and subscribe to our weekly Debate newsletter, where we feature the best reader comments from stories in the last seven days.