The Dunes Club

Opportunity: In 1991, Chicago publisher Michael Keiser built a private nine-hole golf course on a rolling tree-covered sand dune in New Buffalo, Michigan. Mr. Keiser wanted an intimate clubhouse that would satisfy the needs of a small membership, relate to the picturesque landscape of the Lake Michigan shoreline, and connect to the traditions of the game of golf.

Solution: Booth Hansen designed a clubhouse that is a modest monument in the landscape, located on a wooded dune overlooking the course. The terrace presents an idyllic location for outdoor dining with unobstructed views. Though compact in size, the clubhouse includes a common locker room, two baths, a kitchen, and what is arguably the world’s smallest pro shop. The gently sloping roof and strong horizontals of the clubhouse’s exterior recall the lakefront landscape in which it is situated. Developed around the idea of a tent, the interior is centered around a pair of columns that support the cascading roof.

Value: The clubhouse provides only the essential amenities for the golfers, while its effortless simplicity defers to dramatic views of the terrain, providing the perfect place to rest after the game in a natural setting.