Discover The Building With a Kaleidoscope Roof: Vertical Panorama

Seating area within Vertical Panorama – photos taken by: Adam Potts

Let your thoughts drift away in this newly built kaleidoscope of a building tucked away in Sonoma. If you’ve been in the one-way color tunnel integrated into the bridge within SFMOMA, you’ve experienced the beautiful art installations created by Berlin-based artist Olafur Eliasson. Another one of his gorgeous installations is within driving distance at Donum Estate in Sonoma.

This week, a rainbow-filled installation called Vertical Panorama Pavilion was debuted at the Donum Estate. The kaleidoscope-like circular structure was designed by Studio Other Spaces (the office of Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann). This pavilion has been in the works since 2019 when the artists first walked the property up in Sonoma to look at the site.

Vertical Panorama is unlike any structure I’ve ever seen. Depending on the angle of the sun and where you’re sitting underneath the multi-faceted roof, every person will have a different experience with this masterfully-created structure.

Evening rendering of Vertical Panorama, designed by Studio Other Spaces (the office of Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann) – Photos taken by: Adam Potts

Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann, founders of Studio Other Spaces added: “Vertical Panorama Pavilion is a hospitable space, which celebrates the exceptional wine at Donum and the microclimates that created it. The specific design elements are abstractions of components taken from a vertical slice through the pavilion’s location on the Estate. The pavilion maps out the surrounding ephemera – the soil, vegetation, wind, sun, atmosphere, and rain – and incorporates these into the colorful canopy, reflecting the wine’s unique signature.”

The pavilion gives a unique view of its Sonoma surroundings – photos taken by: Adam Potts

What is Vertical Panorama made of?

“Inspired by the history of circular calendars, the conical canopy is centered on a northern oriented oculus and glazed with 832 colored laminated glass panels depicting yearly averages of the four meteorological parameters at the Estate – solar radiance, wind intensity, temperature, and humidity. The glass panels consist of 24 colors in variations of translucent and transparent hues, which resonate with colors of the local environment in the Sonoma Valley. Vertical Panorama Pavilion is a synergy of art and architecture that manifests Studio Other Spaces’ vision of designing public spaces through interdisciplinary and experimental methodologies,” explained by Donum Estate.

The landscape of Donum Estate with the newly finished pavilion as a focal point on the property – photos taken by: Adam Potts

Where is Donum Estate’s Art Collection located?

The piece is located on the Domun Estate Winery in Sonoma County. The Donum Estate, is a leader in single-vineyard, single-appellation Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Donum Collection is there is one of the largest accessible private sculpture collections in the world and was founded in 2001. More than 50 monumental works, including open-air sculptures, are placed on the property by known artists all over the world including awe-inspiring works by Yayoi Kusama, Zhan Wang, Gao Weigang, and more. 

View as you walk into the center of Vertical Panorama – photos taken by: Adam Potts

Art and Wine: The Perfect Pairing

Over the last few years, more and more wineries are bringing in art onto their properties and creating a destination that you want to explore whether you’re a wine drinker or not. More art invites more exploration, more interaction with the environment around you. Art peppered around a property encourages you to stand up, walk around, and stay curious about what else you could find. Art and wine have always been the perfect pairing. 

View of the roof from above – photos taken by: Adam Potts

How can you see Olafur Eliasson’s Vertical Panorama yourself?

For me, the pavilion is not just another art piece in Sonoma. It’s an art piece that will become an iconic landmark for wine country. Seeing the piece isn’t as easy as I’d hope it would be but there are ways to see it along with the rest of art within the Donum Collection.

Donum Estate is a reservation-only winery which allows for a more intimate experience of the art. If you’re not a member, you have to sign up for a wine tasting via their website. It’s not cheap but the trip is worth splurging on to see pieces from famous artists all over the world. Imagine yourself at an outdoor museum visit while you also get to try some amazing wine. If you’re not a wine drinker, the trip is still worth it for sure. Once you’re on the property, you’re able to visit all 50 art installations on a wine tour or by foot.

One of the other pieces at the winery – “Love me” by Richard Hudson – photo from www.richardhudsonsculptor.com

“Pumpkin” by Yayoi Kusama at Donum Estate – photo from art blogger Barbara Picci

“This pavilion perfectly blends our passions between wine, nature and art, design, and architecture. It is an achievement of our continuous effort to enhance the sensorial discovery of sight, sound, and scent experiences for all our guests.,” says Mei and Allan Warburg, Owners of The Donum Estate.

To learn more about The Donum Collection of art and sculptures,
visit The Donum Estate and make a reservation on their website.

All images © Vertical Panorama Pavilion at the Donum Estate, 2022, Studio Other Spaces – Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann and Photos taken by: Adam Potts – unless otherwise noted.