Joel Newman, Kawonu Golf Club's newly appointed clubhouse architect, brings a wealth of experience to our project. His approach emphasizes understanding the local environment and history through a "windshield survey", meaning driving around the area to absorb visual cues that will influence the design. Joel's enthusiasm for the Kawonu site is evident as he describes its diverse landscape:
"It's a really beautiful site," he notes. "You've got the open, rolling fields... beautiful hardwood forest... and that dramatic floodplain of the Reedy River."
Joel's vision centers on the concept of "house" in clubhouse: "It's all about the hanging out, the daily living and eating and gathering," he explains. He underscores the importance of indoor-outdoor connectivity: "The clubhouse should have a seamless connection between the interior and exterior spaces, as well as a strong visual link to the golf course and beyond. This indoor-outdoor connectivity is extremely important for enhancing the overall member experience."
As Joel prepares for his next site visit, he's already contemplating the delicate balance between the clubhouse and cabin areas:
"That's probably one of the more tricky aspects of any of these clubs - finding the right mix of accommodations. We need to consider the overnight national members who might stay for a night or two, as well as the local members who might gather for a few days and have their activities at the cabin. It's about striking the right balance to serve both groups effectively."
With Joel Newman at the helm of our clubhouse design, Kawonu members can look forward to a thoughtfully crafted space that not only complements our world-class golf course but also fosters the connections and experiences that make a golf club truly special.
