Equestrian Centre Clubhouse by Isay Weinfeld

Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld has recently unveiled the stunning Equestrian Centre Clubhouse in Porto Feliz, Brazil. This building is the latest addition to the Fazenda Boa Vista, a huge residential and hospitality complex that has also been designed by the Isay Weinfeld team. The development comprises of a hotel, private villas, spa, kids club, sports centre, petting zoo, two 18-hole golf courses and several swimming pools. All of that with numerous lakes dispersed throughout! Phew, they’ve certainly been busy but the result is an incredible resort that looks like paradise. The Equestrian Centre sits delicately within a tranquil countryside landscape, a good distance from the other buildings. So giddy up Yellowtracers, let’s take a closer look.

Tree tops burst out from the amoeba-shaped cut-outs of the rectangular roof and a forest of columns (with a seemingly irregular grid) supports this large concrete lid. Three enclosed volumes are sandwiched between the concrete slabs and include the locker rooms, kitchen and lounge. The first two pods are beautifully timber clad for privacy whereas the lounge is encased with glass to allow guests to view the equestrian track beyond. Within this lounge area are plush tan sofas and white tulip end tables that welcome spectators to sit, relax, and enjoy the performances.

The landscaping between the three spaces creates some really special moments. The cut-outs of the roof correspond with soft landscaping below. A series of curvalicious walkways meander their way around the pods with lush trees, shrubs and grass planted between them. Facing the track, the building unfolds out into a succession of terraced concrete platforms that descend from the clubhouse to the competition track to encourage spectators to get closer to the action.

The Equestrian Clubhouse is open, inviting and enjoys an intimacy with nature. The permeability of the space facilitates interaction between spectators, competitors and even horses. I don’t know about you but I am loving these images of majestic horses prancing through the architecture. It’s so surreal yet relevant and refreshing as there’s no need for separation between the users of the clubhouse. Isay Weinfeld has dealt with various scales within this Fazenda Boa Vista complex but explains that “[his] approach is not depending on the scale. Be it a building or a coffin, it has a function and it must work well.” We couldn’t agree more; this is a project that combines elegant and functional design with its surrounding context.