A dune-like concrete shell encases the Ayla Clubhouse in Aqaba, which Oppenheim Architecture has designed to blend in with the surrounding desert in Jordan.
The Ayla Golfclub takes inspiration from the natural dunescapes and magnificent mountains of the Jordanian desert as well as the architectural heritage of the ancient Bedouin. The innovative and organic design of the building forms the iconic core of the Ayla Oasis mixed-use resort development in Aqaba city.
The 13,000 square foot building is part of the first phase of a 17square mile leisure development encompasses residential apartments, hotel, and commercial space, all centered around an 18-hole signature golf course designed by Greg Norman. The Clubhouse features retail, dining, lounge, banquet, spa and wellness components; while the Golf Academy includes retail, dining, and indoor/outdoor swing analysis studio components.
The distinct architectural form Ayla Golf Academy and Clubhouseestablishes a unique connection with nature by capturing the elemental, vibrant beauty of the rolling desert landscape. A massive concrete shell drapes over the programme areas, enveloping the interior and exterior walls of each volume under one continuous surface that emerges from the sand.
The curved shotcrete shell blends with the sand like dunes instead of having conventional walls and ceilings. The curved openings frame the views of the golf course and the colorful Aqaba Mountains in the background. Sunlight is filtered through perforated corten steel screens; similar to the traditional Arabic ‘’Mashrabiya’ that was used to insert natural light without compromising the privacy of spaces. Jordanian patterns inspired the triangular openings of the screens, while the tones of the surrounding mountains are echoed in the colors of the shotcrete and the rustic metals.
