As economic conditions throughout the country continue to improve, so do the prospects for deferred club capital improvement projects. Clubs across the country, have wish lists of renovation projects just waiting for board approval and funding. In order to meet modern member’s expectations, clubs must strive to keep their facilities fresh and current. One sure way of doing this is hiring the right design team for any improvements requiring architectural services.
Hiring the right architect starts with the basic understanding of prioritizing on qualification, not simply association. We’ve seen unsuccessful projects that were born from the hiring of unqualified professionals simply because of member relationships. Successful projects are instead, a result of engaging the most qualified design team for the work at hand. The best way to do this is to establish very objective criteria from which to measure an architect’s potential for success, as it relates to your project. Golf clubhouse design and construction, for example, is inherently unique and requires an equally unique skill set and resume.
Most clubhouses truly are a home away from home for their members. While functioning as sophisticated commercial buildings, they strive to feel more like custom residences. For this reason, it is critical to consider architectural firms who have both commercial and custom residential experience. Being able to design commercial systems and package them in an intimate and more residential way requires a high level of talent. Architects who work both in the residential and commercial markets are also likely to have relevant clubhouse experience that will showcase this talent in ways that others without clubhouse experience cannot.
Interviewing multiple firms remains the best way to find the right fit for any project. It is important to ask questions that will reveal an architect’s connection to your membership. “What makes our club special and appealing to our members?” is a good question to pose in order to find out how well any design professional understands the culture of your club. Without a keen understanding of the club’s culture, it will be difficult to grasp the true role the clubhouse. Equally important, is the understanding of today’s lifestyle trends and how they relate to your membership. Ultimately, these two come should together in club design, and a well-qualified architect should be capable of making this happen. Ask, “Share with us examples of recent golf clubhouse design or renovation that incorporates new ideas not seen in older facilities.” This is a good way of seeing how current an architect is on today’s lifestyle trends as they relate to either private or public golf amenities.
With an increasingly older population, the demands placed on good clubhouse design are increasing as well. Health and wellness continue to grow as priorities for many members of clubs, and we see their impact on today’s design programming. For this reason, those that have spa experience also have a leg up on the competition.
We are seeing some very exciting design work that incorporates spa, fitness, wellness and golf facilities all under one roof. These offerings, combined with dining and beverage amenities create great places for gathering at all times throughout the day, and for many different reasons. On-site basic doctor care is also being incorporated into spa programs, allowing for even greater member experience. Spa design goes far beyond massage and manicures. These are just a few examples of trends a well-qualified design consultant will easily offer and freely discuss.
Even after a thorough pre-qualification process, interviews and reference checks, many of us still rely on our gut to guide us into professional relationships. If even the most qualified individual is not a good personality fit for your project, chances are it won’t go well. So when all else fails, grab the sticks and see if you can tolerate 18 holes with your chosen candidate. Regardless of his or her score, if you end up at the 19th hole, chances are you’ve found your match.
Eric Linthicum is president and CEO of The Linthicum Companies. He can be reached at [email protected]. For more information, visit http://linthicumcorp.com.