FARMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB, Charlottesville, Va.
Retrofit Team
ARCHITECT: Cooper Robertson
ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT: VMDO Architects
OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE/PROJECT MANAGER/ESTIMATOR: Cumming
MEP CONSULTANT: KTA Group Inc.
Materials
The following is a sampling of materials used in the project:
FLOORING: ADURA Max Vinyl Planks from Mannington
EXTERIOR SHEATHING SYSTEM: Zip System from Huber Engineered Woods
BRICK: Old Carolina Brick Co.
FRONT ENTRANCE LIGHTING: French Quarter lanterns from Bevolo
The Retrofit
The historic Farmington Country Club is one of the most storied private club campuses in the country. Thomas Jefferson himself designed the clubhouse building’s east wing. Cooper Robertson was charged with transforming the organization’s facilities to make the historically staid campus more inclusive for women, children and families, as well as more appealing to new generations who might otherwise look for different forms of social engagement.
“Historically, most clubs have catered to wealthy men, generally older than 40,” explains John Kirk, AIA, partner at Cooper Robertson. “Facilities, such as women’s locker rooms and lounge areas, were often converted from other uses as an afterthought and then simply left untouched for years, making many clubs less desirable for women.”
Because the base structures date back to the 1760s, a major challenge was modernizing while still maintaining historic appeal. To achieve this, the design team expanded and upgraded the club’s social and dining venues, renovating one existing space and adding two additional spaces and outdoor patios. Additionally, the team added a children’s center—so parents can work in a game of tennis or yoga class—and a shorter, nine-hole golf course to make it easier for diverse members to fit a quick game into their busy schedules.
Other work included a new guest cottage and outdoor pavilion, renovations and upgrades to the club’s fitness and locker facilities, as well as new indoor and outdoor tennis courts and additional parking.
PHOTOS: FRANCIS DZIKOWSKI