Design, Golf, and the “Hacker’s Garage”

Some of you may have followed our long-term collaboration with James Duncan, a golf course architect with a vision of a walking golf course in the English heathland tradition. At its core is a down-to-earth vibe that values the camaraderie of the game. 

Work is under way on the 600 acre site just north of the Napa Valley. Course construction is in its second season and the first new structure, a modest clubhouse inspired by a nearby farm building, will be completed this year. In the works are plans for lodging, one-room cabins and dorms.

This reminded us to share an intriguing article in which noted golf writer, Tom Dunne, draws parallels between our creative process and the “hacker’s garage”. Below are a few excerpts and behind-the-scenes photos of “Brambles” and the process behind it. For the full story, click here.

“DA's studio is a bright space that's bursting at the seams with visual inspiration. The walls behind each workstation feature pinboards covered with brainstorming images related to the project at hand, whether it be a residence, a business, or a place of worship.”

“DA likes to describe the company's philosophy as responding to projects from the standpoint of "expert beginners." Like Marcus Aurelius's exhortation to "make haste slowly", this is one of those oxymorons that, by forcing one to hold both an idea and its opposite in mind simultaneously, can reveal much over time.”

“Brett Smith articulated the expert beginner's mindset well in our meeting. "Our office doesn't have a signature style," he said. "Our commitment is to process––it's about [a client's] values and style. Besides, the style of the moment is getting harder to identify." Smith then drew an analogy to the way we consume music today. "Thirty years ago, an architect was a name in a phone book. Now, people have access to so much architectural imagery, and people are free to find things they connect with."