Kuo Diedrich Chi architects celebrate 20 years!
Most people have turned the page to Summer! And the excitement to travel again is certainly palpable at the Atlanta-based international architecture and design firm, Kuo Diedrich Chi. But the principals of Kuo Diedrich Chi are also turning the page on another milestone: 20 years of partnership designing clubhouses and amenities at leading private club communities in the business.
And what a journey the past two decades have been! The award-winning team has had the privilege of partnering with some of the most prestigious locations and ownership groups from around the globe – delivering notable projects from the islands of Croatia to the likes of Yanqi Lake near Beijing, China, and Ecopark on the outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam.
Other memorable projects in the Middle East brought them to Durrat Al Bahrain, The Wave Muscat in Oman and the Els Club in Dubai. These projects are associated with groups tied to four-time major champion Ernie Els, golf’s world ambassador Gary Player, Hall of Fame golfer Greg Norman and many other renowned designers and golf entities – just another reminder of the trust bestowed on KDC Architects to create nothing short of best-of-class clubhouse designs for some of the most discerning of global clientele and cultures.
Back stateside, the firm has been honored to partner with some of the more prestigious memberships over the past 20 years – from Platinum-level Lowcountry clubs like Colleton River and Belfair to historic East Lake in the firm’s own backyard of Atlanta to numerous centennial clubs like Lake Toxaway in North Carolina, Belle Haven, Pensacola and Memphis Country Club. In addition to East Lake, KDC Architects has been entrusted with numerous other high-level professional tournament venues from the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Harbor Shores to nine-time U.S. Open host Oakmont Country Club.
Perhaps one of the greatest privileges so far was the opportunity to collaborate with the King of Golf, Arnold Palmer, and his family’s course design and business interests at The Landings near Savannah, Georgia. Indeed, among the $26 million worth of multiple newly designed clubhouses and lifestyle amenities at this acclaimed golf community – that also features two rare Palmer-designed championship courses – are the family’s first branded private hospitality venues: Palmer’s Steakhouse and Arnie’s Tavern at the flagship Marshwood Clubhouse.
Featuring exclusive access to the Palmer Family’s archives, the KDC team handpicked dozens of compelling photos and images that were thoughtfully integrated as part of the overall interior and architectural design of the new clubhouse, which proudly earned KDC Architects another Golf Inc. magazine Clubhouse of the Year award.
To be sure, while the recognition KDC annually receives from industry peers is rewarding, the firm’s founders will be the first to tell you the true mark of success, as they embark on their third decade of design partnerships, lies in the TRUST their long-tenured and highly experienced staff of designers continue to receive from their privileged base of global private club clients.
Last but not least, the FRIENDSHIP forged in the early 1990s between three architectural graduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with plans to one day build distinguished design careers, has also led to the firm’s success.
Twenty years of growth and award-winning success is worth celebrating! And in the spirit of the many popular new gathering spots at the modern-day 19th hole, it is 5 o’clock somewhere and time to lift a glass in celebration!