2020: A Year with Faldo Design
2020 has most certainly tested us with unforgettable challenges that have impacted perspectives and processes with permanent consequences. The golfing world is certainly no exception to this 12-month anomaly, having been shaken with its ups and downs, stops and starts, booms and busts, yet in many ways the year has seen the sport propelled forward amongst a world that has stayed, on the most part, fairly stationary.
With this mind, I wanted to look back on our 2020 experiences in the golf course architecture space and reflect on the year with the Faldo Design team here, to celebrate the good stuff and review what we learned from the challenges we faced.
How has Faldo Design adapted to lockdown working conditions travel restrictions in 2020?
Many, many conference calls. Like most, we have had to adapt to working from home under a ‘new normal’ and for us that meant the adoption of Teams, screen sharing and amateur video footage. Although there is no replica for physically visiting a site to inspire design ideas and understand the on-going construction work, the use of technology has created opportunities to easily bring people and our team together and create open discussions. Communication, in whatever form, is the crux of a successful project and when we are unable to meet face-to-face, these regular progress updates and open communications channels have been more critical than ever, and really allowed active projects to move forward and see new ones to take off.
What was the biggest challenge you faced this year at Faldo Design?
As mentioned, the inability to travel internationally and walk the golf course site, monitor constructor work, and visualise changes to designs has presented unique hurdles. We discovered trying to translate this sense of proximity via virtual meetings is no easy feat. However, the problems created by technology were, ironically, resolved with more technology, as we utilised drone footage from constructions to update us on the progress, as well as videos and images to visualise sites and steer decision making. Personally, I believe site visits will remain plan A, however as technology develops and advances, the likes of drones and remote footage really will offer a unique value to projects as supporting assets and could well find themselves as a staple in any architect’s hand luggage in 2021.
What has been Faldo Design’s most valued learning this year?
Within the design space, the ability to draw and sketch has come more into its own. It is a skill that regularly comes in hand on site to communicate design intentions to shapers and creates early visualisations of play, but it has become even more useful as a means of getting information across while not being there. The old saying of ‘a picture says a thousand words’ springs to mind, and this ability to demonstrate often complex asks and clarify important details clearly and effectively, really has been a cornerstone of surviving design in 2020.
From a business perspective, a learning I think many will share is the importance of close communications – whether that is to owners, project teams, other consultants or internally – these regular updates have helped to create teamwork at a distance and something we will see more of going into 2021 for sure.
What has been your Faldo Design highlight this year?
Unanimously, the opening of the second course at Vattanac Golf Resort has been truly rewarding, especially following the critical acclaim for its East course counterpart. Our Cambodia journey with Vattanac as a whole has exceeded all our expectations so to now have two, totally unique Faldo Design courses open for play there, is a fantastic achievement for all involved – certainly, it tops of our bucket list for 2021 if we are able to move again.
Equally, the step by step, picture by picture construction story of our second Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design, Rumanza Golf Course in Pakistan, has been inspiring and a continuous source of excitement throughout the year.
What has been the biggest step forward for a project this year?
Carrying on a similar note, seeing the design at Rumanza Golf Course come to life has been quite the show. From a flat, featureless site with an arid composition, to an exciting golfing landscape full of local identity, the progress over the year has been a giant leap forward. This course really does hold an exciting capacity as it looks to establish a Centre of Excellence in Pakistan to elevate national golf curriculum and quality, and if these early visuals are any indication, the site will certainly set a high standard.
In saying this, as a team we are always excited to see designs green up and there have been some great moments of celebration for many of our sites this year…to pick just one is somewhat of an injustice after all the hard work that has been achieved this year. Watch this space on our social media channels in the new year, as we look to bring you further content from this project in Pakistan…
What is the one thing you are most excited about for Faldo Design in 2021?
Optimism for 2021 is high following an over indexing of chaos and curveballs in 2020, however for Faldo Design there are tangible reasons to look into the new year with adventure. The very broad nature of our upcoming projects promises great variety and new opportunities for the team, whether that be a third major Sir Nick Faldo Signature Course or working closely with our clients on small private layouts and course adjustments.
We are hugely excited by the chance to create strategic and memorable golf experiences and we look forward to a new year, a new start and, most of all, a second go at a new normal!
Gareth Williams