When Jesse Katz, celebrated wine maker and son of famed photographer Andy Katz, set out to build a facility in Healdsburg, CA, he intended it to be an incubator for creativity and artistic expression. The resulting design, brainchild of Signum Architecture and Halyley Knapp Palmer, is equal parts art gallery and winery—a complete feast for the senses.
Aperture’s 4,000 square foot hospitality building features a mix of local and international artwork, including photographs by Jesse’s father. Extensive glazing and a distinct, angled roofline draw inspiration from the geometry of a camera lens…
“The design is an exploration of the shape of an aperture… The deconstructed details of the aperture appear throughout the space, culminating in a hexagon-shaped central oculus which fills the interior with light (like light coming through the aperture of a camera lens). Floor-to-ceiling glass walls provide an experience that is simultaneously private and immersed in the vineyards. [J Geiger Shades] enhance that dual relationship by blending seamlessly into the design.”
JUANCARLOS FERNANDEZ, SIGNUM ARCHITECTURE
Glass walls form intimate tasting rooms, and each provides a panoramic vineyard view so visitors can truly appreciate not only the wine but also its origin. Shades were necessary to manage glare and heat gain, but they needed to be subtle so as not to disrupt sightlines.
“The contemporary style fits perfectly with the interior design. They disappear into the architecture… The shades never interfere with the view.”
HAYLEY PALMER, H. PALMER DESIGN
Tasting rooms feature shades coupled over window mullions to preserve architectural integrity. Most rooms feature three to five coupled shades powered by a single motor.
Hayley selected a sheer solar screen that provides UV protection without blocking visibility. An earth tone color (Linen Mocha) complements the natural landscape and materials used for the building’s exterior.
Aperture Cellars received the Beyond Hospitality Award from HD Magazine in 2021. The property’s innovative design has also received glowing reviews from Forbes and Bloomberg.