the blog posts

are golf courses part of the problem?

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The "problem" being that developers seem unable to realise funding for tourism projects in Bermuda.

My attention was drawn to the role of golf courses by a City Parks blog post entitled "Fairways Under Fire: Are Little-Used Public Golf Courses Worth the Space?" by Peter Harnik and Ryan Donahue, originally for Landscape Architecture Magazine. In particular, my attention was drawn to these sentences:

Through a surprising misalignment of supply and demand, the decade of the 2000s was characterized by the frenzied construction of golf course communities coupled with a leveling off of participation.

Golf’s popularity is not keeping up with population growth nor with the explosion in the number of private golf venues; it’s also losing out to other self-directed activities like running and cycling.

Now, admittedly, the writers are speaking of public golf courses as part of the recreational facilities offered by cities; this is not an assessment of private golf resorts. Notwithstanding, it got me thinking.

In my experience, developers with access to sufficient land in Bermuda, will advocate the creation of a golf resort comprising an 18-hole championship golf course with residences - either in whole ownership or as fractionals - and a (boutique) hotel. Presumably, the investor package explains that greens fees will provide cash flow that either subsidises other components of the development or is the gravy on top of it all. Or not; perhaps potential investors already know that.

When you look at it, though, even The Donald is nowhere near completing his golf resort in Aberdeenshire, Scotland - and he fought relentlessly for that grant of planning permission. As described on the webiste of Trump International Golf Links, the development comprises

...a world class championship links golf course suitable for hosting major international events and a second 18-hole links golf course; an iconic hotel set amidst an array of luxury holiday homes; and a residential village formed within the unique setting of Menie Estate. 

project rendering, image: trump international golf links

The golf course on the shifting sand dunes opened in July this year but progress on the hotel and residences remains glacial. There is some doubt whether the project will ever be completed as initially intended, even when the global economy improves.

So, what does this mean for Bermuda? Perhaps the usual golf resort development is too far behind the curve now to secure funding - a version of "been there, done that"...? If that's the case, and I don't know that it is, we will need to figure out - and quickly - what the new best thing is and do it before anyone else.

olympic architecture

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In the spirit of London 2012, enjoy this post by designboom featuring the architecture of the olympics, london 2012 olympics: architecture of the games.

A couple of interesting facts to note: the buildings were erected on time and on budget, and they are a mixture of permanent and temporary structures.

Pictured below is the aquatics centre designed by Zaha Hadid, which has been getting negative press because of the restricted views of the platform diving and the big screens from a number of seats. As a result of the dissatisfaction, olympic organisers will offer refunds for up to 4,800 tickets sold for the 10-metre platform diving.

aquatics centre by zaha hadid, image via pin it

aquatics centre interior, image: the telegraphWhat is slightly perplexing to me, with all the wonderful renderings and imagery designers are able to produce, is that someone can erect a building with a swooping, drooping ceiling and not take into account the height of the 10-metre diving platform vis-a-vis the seats. It can't be just me that finds this odd... 

 

current feature: icon it or not?

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The new Centre for Performing Arts proposed for Bermuda is not yet a reality but much research is being undertaken to ensure the Centre is the right fit for Bermuda and the creative community and public it is intended to serve.

Naturally, there is much  curiosity about it with people providing their opinions on whether or not the structure should be iconic and grand or just practical. Setting aside the pesky detail of fundraising, it seems a key aspect of the Centre ought to be that it serves as a focal point for a variety of activities so that there is a liveliness and vibrancy about it at all times. In other words, give residents and visitors reasons to use the facility when there is no performance or film or play going on.

An example of this is the Lux in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The Lux is primarily a cinema screening a wide variety of the film festival and first run types of films but it operates a theatre and cafe too. (Images courtesy of lux-nijmegan.nl)

 

Another good example is the Eye Institute in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, which is a merger of the Filmmuseum, Holland Film, Film Bank and the Dutch Institute for Film Education. Located on the riverside, it is Amsterdam's film institute and museum. It has cinemas, display areas for permanent and visiting exhibits and participatory activities, a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating and a bar. Again, the Eye, as it is known, generates foot traffic and revenue separate from the scheduled film screenings. (Images courtesy of the writer's BlackBerry.)

The Kadare Cultural Center in Yurihonjo City, Japan, as described in this designboom article, chiaki arai: kadare cultural center, is an impressive piece of architecture housing a theatre, library, planetarium, recording studio, community centre and conference rooms. The theatre alone has three different configurations. Not having been to Japan, I cannot pass an opinion on the Center's actual use but the range of possibilities is wide given the designed spaces; flexibility is key. (Images courtesy of Chiaki Arai Urban and Architectural Design.)

The message? In these times, a one trick pony won't do. Bermuda's Centre for Performing Arts will need to concentrate on having some element of multiple use and flexibility, as well as multiple revenue streams. The correct balance will not be easy to achieve given that it cannot also be all things to all people.

In the circumstances, whether or not the Centre is an iconic piece of architecture might take a bit of a backseat, perhaps, to other pressing issues.