The Hills Clubhouse is wedged bunker-like off the eighteenth hole at jewelry mogul Michael Hill’s private golf course near Arrowtown.  Nick-named “the divot”, three-quarters of the building is below ground, and the roof is topped with tussock and turf.

ArchiCAD’s comprehensive 3D modeling was key to the proj­ect’s success, say the architects.  Modeling beams and steel structural elements increased efficiencies between the archi­tects and engineers, and tolerances were often trimmed to less than a millimeter.

While Hill wanted the clubhouse to wow his guests as much as the course does, Patterson says the building is shaped so the eye can enjoy the surroundings.  With bio-fuel heating and natural climate control, the clubhouse is a sustainable, unobtrusive building that oozes “New Zealandness,” says Patterson.

NZIA judges praised the structural engineering and reflec­tive interiors in the “triumphant” nineteenth hole, saying the building shows a new level of confidence in concrete construction.

About Patterson Associates Limited

At the core of Patterson Associates’ design is the term ap­purtuant – an old Saxon word meaning “belong naturally’’.  Patterson Associates is the only New Zealand architectural practice to be published in Phaidon’s 10 x 10 book of the world’s best architects, and director Andrew Patterson has been lauded by renowned British photographer, writer and style visionary Herbert Ypma.

About Graphisoft

Graphisoft is the pioneer and leader in developing Virtual Building™ solutions.  For 25 years, Graphisoft has been empowering the broadest community of architects to deliver model based projects that are better designed, more predictable to construct and less expensive to operate.

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