concrete walls shape circular 'pictograma' winery around rain-harvesting courtyard in mexico

rojkind arquitectos & amasa estudio’s circular winery in mexico

In Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, Rojkind Arquitectos and Amasa Estudio introduce Pictograma, a circular winery designed to streamline wine production while reviving the region’s agricultural traditions. The 1,963-square-meter structure also produces olive oil, fragrances, lavender, and citrus. Its radial plan, inspired by the valley’s organic contours, arranges the entire production cycle, fermentation, bottling, barrel storage, and tasting rooms around a central courtyard, eliminating unnecessary circulation.

The building is shaped by twelve trapezoidal concrete walls and vaults, each separating and defining a specific function inside. This clear layout continues into the landscape design, which uses local plants, permeable brick paving, and a sloped facade built from soil taken from the site to connect the winery closely to its surroundings. At the center, the courtyard collects rainwater that runs off the vaults, directing it through channels in the walls so it can seep back into the ground.

all images by Edmund Sumner, unless stated otherwise

shaded porticos and brick vaults shape Pictograma

The design by Mexico City-based Rojkind Arquitectos and Amasa Estudio takes inspiration from 16th-century portico structures, using a shaded walkway around the building to encourage natural ventilation and cooling. The project combines traditional methods, such as building with brick vaults, with modern techniques like fiberglass and metal formwork. This mix creates concrete surfaces that feel rooted in historic Franciscan architecture while still appearing contemporary. The use of pigmented concrete also helps the building blend with the natural colors of the valley.

Beyond production, Pictograma integrates hospitality through its connection to the Banyan Tree hotel complex. The retreat offers panoramic views of the valley and continues the commitment to local, sustainable materials. The winery and hotel are designed to connect architectural innovation with the agricultural traditions and cultural context of Baja California.

Rojkind Arquitectos and AMASA Estudio introduce Pictograma in Mexico | image by Fernando Marroquin

a circular winery designed to revive the region’s agricultural traditions | image by Fernando Marroquin

its radial plan is inspired by the valley’s organic contours | image by Fernando Marroquin

the production cycle is arranged around a courtyard, eliminating unnecessary circulation.

the courtyard collects rainwater that runs off the vaults | image by Grupo UBK

separating and defining specific functions | image by Grupo UBK

the design draws from 16th-century portico structures | image by Fernando Marroquin

concrete surfaces feel rooted in historic Franciscan architecture | image by Fernando Marroquin

pigmented concrete also helps the building blend with the natural colors of the valley

Pictograma integrates hospitality through its connection to the Banyan Tree hotel complex

designed to streamline wine production

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the structure also produces olive oil, fragrances, lavender, and citrus

sculptural furniture completes the project

this clear layout continues into the landscape design | image by Fernando Marroquin

concrete surfaces that still appear contemporary

the courtyard directs rainwater through channels in the walls | image by Fernando Marroquin

the retreat offers panoramic views of the valley

facade section | all drawings courtesy of Rojkind Arquitectos and Amasa Estudio

facade section

floor plan

isometric scheme

isometric scheme

isometric scheme

sketch

section

project info:

name: Pictograma

architect: Rojkind Arquitectos | @rojkindarquitectos, Amasa Estudio | @amasa__estudio

location: Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, México

area: 1,963 square meters

lead architects: Michel Rojkind, Agustín Pereyra, Andrea López

team: Ruth Diaz, Eli Ambris, Victor Cruz, Daniel Flores, Ricardo Hernández, Yoshio Fukumori, Fernando Franco, Victoria Grossi

AMASA Estudio team: Roxana León, Omar Valdés, Jorge Santiago, Sonia Santaella, Fernanda Corona, Karen Alcaráz, Diana Gómez Matehuala, Fernanda Rodriguez

landscape design: Alma du Solier

oenologist: Lucas Dacosta

branding + concept: Cadena y Asociados | @cadenaconcepts

interior design: SMARQ | @smarq.mx

structural engineering: Ing. Juan Felipe Heredia

lighting: Luz en Arquitectura

MEP: Ing. Germán Muñóz

renders: Hossein Yadollahpour

photographers: Edmund Sumner | @edmundsumner, Fernando Marroquin | @fernandomarroquint, Grupo UBK | @grupo_ubk