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Nestled within the pine forest of The Tree Farm near Aiken, South Carolina, the golf cabins are conceived as quiet companions to the land. Set among sandy soils and native understory, they are intentionally modest in form and material, designed to blend into the landscape rather than stand apart from it. Simple rooflines, restrained detailing, and natural finishes emphasize durability, clarity, and comfort over spectacle. Each cabin is carefully sited to preserve trees, capture soft light, and create a calm, understated sense of arrival. Together, the cabins support rest and reflection while honoring the climate, landscape, and enduring traditions of the game.

Location

New Holland, South Carolina

Collaboration

Alex Warr

Design Team

Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden

Typology

Commercial

Date

2020-2024

Interior Design

Charlotte Lucas Interior Design

General Contractor

Barringer Construction

Owner's Representative

Playbook Management

Photography

Leonid Furmansky

Process

Explore

Kevin Barden

Art and Design

In this episode, our resident architect Joe Rivers sits down with our other resident architect Kevin Barden from Minnetonka, Minnesota. Kevin and Joe first met at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, over a decade ago. Since then, Kevin's journey in architecture has taken him many places, including Chur, Switzerland where he studied and worked for two and half years, and Houston, Texas where Rivers Barden Architects laid its roots. Joe sat down with Kevin to discuss his beginning in architecture, his influences, and his mantra for living a fulfilled life.

Staff Travel: The Swiss Chalet

Writing

In August of 2023, Rafia visited Switzerland for eight days. Her travels took her from sampling chocolates in Zurich to exploring the UNESCO city of Bern to hiking in the Swiss Alps. Here, she fell in love with not only the beautiful landscapes of the Bernese Oberland region, but also the elaborately decorated Swiss Chalet.