Modernism influenced the lean forms of the clubhouse and surrounding buildings. The architect intends the rectilinear geometry of both the clubhouse's overall volume and the window configuration and other details to contrast with the site's rolling hills.
Site plan 1. Blessings Clubhouse 2. gatehouse 3. University of Arkansas facility 4. golf cart storage 5. Zen garden 6. archaeological preservation zone
The discovery of Osage Indian artifacts led to much of the site being declared an archaeological zone, meaning that building could continue as long as the artifacts were not disturbed. For the clubhouse, which extends into the archaeological zone, Blackwell responded by creating two small footprints on the ground level to support a much larger cantilevered structure above.
Appleapple.com 8-core Intel Xeon offers up to 3 GHz of processor power • Three hard drive bays offer up to 3 TB of storage • 32 GB memory limit • Optional redundant power supply • Runs Leopard Server with no client limit • Built-in remote management
First Floor
Second floor 1. entry 2. dining 3. pool 4. office 5. pro shop 6. men's lounge 7. men's locker 8. women's lounge 9. deck
The first-floor dining room features expansive surfaces of cherry wood. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a Zen garden.
The cherry wood continues into the private realm of the men's changing room on the second floor, which features custom lockers.
Wood gives way to tile in the adjacent wet area, where the floor, walls, and ceiling are clad in handcrafted tile in shades of green that recall water.
A staircase leads to the largely male domain of the second floor, with its grill, bar, and changing rooms.
At the top of the stairs, a sunny gallery showcases works of art.
The men's grill is subdivided by columns and a media wall into a series of public spaces and more private ones, such as this seating area in front of a fireplace. Strategically positioned windows provide views into nature and over the greens.
Heath Ceramics Tapestry tile heathceramics.com
Durkan commercial windfall durkancommercial.com
EFCO Series 406 thermal window framing efcocorp.com
Site plan 1. Blessings Clubhouse 2. gatehouse 3. University of Arkansas facility 4. golf cart storage 5. Zen garden 6. archaeological preservation zone
The discovery of Osage Indian artifacts led to much of the site being declared an archaeological zone, meaning that building could continue as long as the artifacts were not disturbed. For the clubhouse, which extends into the archaeological zone, Blackwell responded by creating two small footprints on the ground level to support a much larger cantilevered structure above.
The structures surrounding the clubhouse employ the same material palette of glass, local stone, and copper. A copper-clad practice facility for the University of Arkansas golf team faces the clubhouse across a green. Stone-faced golf cart storage runs perpendicular to the clubhouse and stands only one story tall.
A combination of standingseam and flush copper cladding on the clubhouse exterior creates a difference in texture and variety of tone that help the building relate to the landscape.
Looking South
Looking East
Large windows were planned for all public spaces to allow clear views of the surrounding landscape. A departure from traditional golf club architecture, this decision was crucial to connecting the building to its surroundings without forcing it to be "regional" in style.
