The arc by Droo architects

In the year 2019, London-Paris-rooted DROO – Da Costa Mahindroo Architects were solicited by the proprietors of the Arc Polo Farm in Surrey, UK. Their mission: is to conceive, construct, and renovate the resplendent new clubhouse, pre-existing edifice, and surroundings, fashioning an aesthetically pleasing connection between the on-site ‘string of pearls.’ Previously owned by a horse trainer, the property boasted a series of stables. The current owners, having recently acquired the estate, initiated some preliminary refurbishments to the existing keeper’s cottage and one of the agricultural barns. Given its status as an active equestrian farm, the clients sought to enhance the facilities, mindful of the farm’s operational aspects, particularly water management. This was crucial for both field maintenance and the irrigation of the lake, which served as the primary water source for the entire farm.

The scope of the project was extensive. The architects were tasked with crafting a clubhouse facility and its associated landscaped areas. These were intended to accommodate guests observing matches on the fields and host events integral to the farm’s activities. Anchored by two imposing oak trees, the masterplan traced an arc from the existing stables clustered around a central courtyard—with the cottage at its nucleus—to the clubhouse, the outdoor barbecue locale, and concluding at the distant second oak tree.

The Clubhouse, designed with a focus on water harvesting and Shou Sugi, channels rainwater into collection pits for filtration. These pits then feed irrigating channels leading to the lake, subsequently irrigating the fields—a cyclical use of a precious resource in an increasingly arid climate.

The clubhouse, with its emphasis on water-harvesting techniques, manifests in a curved roofscape and external envelope designed to direct water into the rainwater system, nourishing the farm lake and training fields. Its compact footprint explores contemporary verandah concepts, creating a seamless interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces, complementing the sweeping vistas of the polo field framed by the arc of the master plan.

In terms of construction, the building delves into the artistry of timber at various scales: structure, cladding, joinery, and furniture. A parametrically defined spruce glulam frame is adorned with contrasting traditional Shou Sugi Japanese charred wood shingles—chosen for durability and fungicidal properties. Internally, the landscape is experienced through a delicate interplay of material and light, juxtaposing steel, natural stone, and warm oak detailing, all set against the continually evolving timber frame.

The landscape design by DROO factors in the preservation of native flora and fauna, fostering biodiversity. On misty mornings, various creatures grace the fields. The architects also undertook the thermal refurbishment of one of the grooms’ barns for year-round use by staff and trainers, alongside drainage and water management design for all farm buildings.