The Tree Farm Cabins
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
New Territory Tennis Center
Sugar Land, Texas
Commercial
Kevin Barden
Architect
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
Rafia Imran
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.