A Carbon-Conscious, Mass Timber Approach for Canada's First Carbon-Neutral Winery

HDR designed a stand-alone building at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards to house a gourmet restaurant and administration offices. The 4,000-square-foot building is a two-storey wood structure incorporating cast concrete, wood frame, and engineered wood beams on a steel structure. The design is simple yet elegant, with ample use of natural woods and cork.

As Canada’s first carbon-neutral winery, Tinhorn Creek prioritised the incorporation of sustainability features into its newest building. The roof overhangs are designed to keep the windows and balconies shaded from direct sunlight, keeping patrons cool without using the misters that are commonly seen in Okanagan outdoor dining venues. The overhangs also allow the building air system to be as energy-efficient as possible. The building’s wood structure and finishes include salvaged redwood and reclaimed pine-beetle wood. The kitchen has an integrated composting system and a chef’s herb garden.

The restaurant accommodates 65 seats indoors and 65 seats outdoors on a cantilevered, wrap-around deck, and floor to ceiling glazing ensures that every seat in the house can experience Miradoro’s panoramic views across the South Okanagan Valley. The building overlooks the winery’s existing outdoor amphitheatre, providing an excellent vantage point for guests to view the many live performances offered during the summer season.