Playing golf in the Jordanian desert may not be the top priority of seasoned travellers, but they may very soon reconsider. We’re talking Ayla, a luxury resort complex just outside the port city of Aqaba in Jordan. Currently still in development, it’s a true oasis which will eventually comprise of an area of 4.3 million sqm. (46.2 million sq.ft.) featuring a plethora of facilities and venues. The latest venue to have emerged on the landscaped grounds is the Ayla Clubhouse & Golf Academy designed by American practice Oppenheim Architecture. The architecture takes cues from the rugged mountains surrounding the complex and Bedouin culture, resulting in a striking building with an undulating shotcrete roof and which at the same time effortlessly blends into the landscape.
Given the specific roof shape, large openings allow sweeping views of the aforementioned Aqaba Mountains. Corten steel perforated screen filters the light, similar to the traditional mashrabiya. Jordanian patterns inspired the triangular pattern of openings while the tones of the surrounding mountains are reflected by the colours of the shotcrete and the metals. Measuring 1,200 sqm. (12,917 sq.ft.) it’s part of the Ayla‘s first development phase, featuring residential, hotel and commercial space, all centred around an 18-hole signature golf course. The clubhouse itself features retail, dining, bar and lounge, banquet, fitness, and spa components, while the golf academy includes additional retail, dining, and also an indoor and outdoor swing analysis studio components. Location: Ayla Clubhouse + Golf Academy, Al Farouq Street (Al Nakheel).
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.