August Green has produced a scheme for a wine cellar in China that harnesses the beauty of contemporary craftsmanship.

The Peacock Wine Cellar uses ancient craftsmanship combined with contemporary technology to create unity between past and present.

So named for the more than one thousand individually handcrafted blue glazed terracotta clay tiles splayed using a triple-curved parametric array inspired by the majestic form of the peacock, the design sees each tile serve a dual purpose: holding the wine and illuminating the entire cellar.

The base of each tile contains a single small LED that lights the tile beneath the other; there is no additional lighting within the cellar other than a single spotlight directed downward above the central table resembling the peacock's head.

This approach focuses the light toward each bottle in the wine cellar and gives the tiles a visual effect of floating. Tiny reflections of light from the tiles are seen within the black marble floor like a galaxy of tiny stars or fireflies; the light then bounces upward into the polished stainless steel ceiling. The effect of the reflections and light creates an expanse within the small space that feels otherworldly.

This project has been longlisted in the architectural lighting design category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Designer: August Green

Project: The Peacock

Read more: August Green