Consider a golf clubhouse. Like golf courses, they vary widely in size and style, as well as the services they offer.
Some are barebones, consisting of four walls and a roof, with a rustic aesthetic and few amenities aside from changing rooms and a bar. Other facilities are luxurious and the level of comfort is comparable to that of a luxury hotel.
Take Haisley Nine Bridges Clubhouse for example.
Haesley, host of the Bridges Cup, ranks among the most prestigious clubs in South Korea, a golf-mad country where matches are often played in stunningly luxurious atmospheres. Outings tend to be all-day events, with rotating sit-down meals, a sauna and steam session at the end of one round, and then a sumptuous dinner. The clubhouse was designed to accommodate these interests. But even by luxurious Korean standards, Haisley’s clubhouse exceeds expectations.
Designed by Shigeru Ban Architects, a pioneering firm known for combining modernist aesthetics with traditional construction methods, the 225,000-square-foot facility is an eco-conscious and avant-garde architectural marvel. It has three floors, laid out on a hexagonal grid and wrapped in a lattice wooden shell inspired by a traditional Korean throw pillow known as the “bamboo wife.” Natural light floods the entire space through the lattice shell roof. Inside there are glass walls and doors, and a soaring atrium supported by towering T-shaped wooden columns. The stone foundations were built by old-school masons, masters of their ancient trade.
Food is at the heart of Korean golf culture and Haesley Club caters to this side of the game, with an upscale restaurant and a wine cellar worthy of a Michelin star restaurant. Other facilities also add to the home-away-from-home feel, including a VIP lounge, party room for karaoke and other celebrations. A separate wing offers private suites and overnight accommodations, so you can wake up the next day and do it all again. For a closer look at the distinctive Clubhouse, check out the video above or below.
