William Wordsworth said, “Golf is a day spent in a round of strenuous idleness.” Thus, one who has spent the day in this strenuous idleness must have an appropriate haven to rest, recover and contemplate the next day yet again in that same idleness. The Fazenda Boa Vista Golf Clubhouse near São Paulo has been designed to serve this purpose.
Designed by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld, this golf clubhouse is a part of the residential and hospitality complex Fazenda Boa Vista in Port Feliz 100 km away from the city of São Paulo in Brazil.
The Fazenda Boa Vista is a 750 hectare property that houses besides the golf clubhouse, a hotel, private villas, spa, kids club, equestrian centre, sports centre, petting zoo, two 18-hole golf courses, swimming pool and 242-hectare woods punctuated with numerous lakes.
The clubhouse has been constructed to serve two 18-hole courses. Devoted to both golf players and enthusiasts, it is developed in a building of 1,600 square metres, solved in two very distinct blocks. The lower level is encased in concrete, and sinks into the sloping landscape around it.
The upper level is built around a timber frame with glass walls and terraces to make the most of the sweeping views of the golf course. The design of the upper level achieves a transparency that ensures that it does not stick out in the midst of the beautiful vista during daytime. And, by nighttime the lights from within cast a welcoming glow. The lower level that is the denser part of the structure is nestled amongst the surrounding slopes.
The lounge, bar, restaurant and offices form a maze of rooms on the upper level. The layout is uncomplicated in the form of a sequence of interconnected rectangular spaces. Clear glass panes make up most of the exterior walls and dissolve the border between the outside and the inside allowing the visitor to enjoy the al fresco setting with the comforts of the indoors.
Terraces wrap the restaurant, bar and lounge areas creating outdoor spaces that are as large as the interiors. These wooden decks make for ideal spaces to lounge and take in the view of the surrounding golf course. At the Fazenda Boa Vista Clubhouse, it is the outdoor that is the point of focus and the indoors just a medium to enjoy the surrounding landscape. Thus, the décor is minimalist. The colour scheme of white and wood complements nature’s colour palette and further
The lower level plays the role of a functional block. There is only one opening on its white monolithic façade, the point of direct access for the players. The players at the end of their round make their way through this entrance to the lockers, massage rooms and restrooms.
A kitchen and technical supporting areas are also located here albeit with independent access and apart from the area intended for players.
Just like the rest of the development at the Fazenda Boa Vista leisure complex the golf clubhouse too seeks to maintain and enhance the harmony with its environs. Its layout and design ensures that the golfer is never unconnected from the golf course.
Text By Himali Kothari
Photographs Fernando Guerra
Contact
email: info@isayweinfeld.com
web: www.isayweinfeld.com
