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
Geodesic Dome Renovation
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Residential
This renovation transforms a 1980s geodesic dome, originally conceived during the height of the energy crisis, into a bright, connected, and contemporary home. A new primary suite frames views of the surrounding forest, while an open kitchen maintains visual and acoustic connection to the living and dining areas. Fresh finishes throughout renew the interior without erasing its character.
Mike Garman
Furniture Designer
Art and Design
In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Mike Garman, a furniture designer and maker from Houston, Texas. Mike has been designing and building furniture in the Houston area for nearly a decade. Joe and Kevin sat down with Mike to discuss his path to designing furniture, his use of tools, and his unique process to design.
Immersive Tools
Kevin Barden
Writing
At a time when artificial intelligence and digital tools dominate discussions of architectural education, the practice of making large-scale physical models serves as an ever more important tool for the development of a student’s creative voice, sense of discovery, and long-term learning. Through an understanding of temporal and spatial kairotic environments and an iterative process these large-scale physical models possess the potential to embody experiential qualities in a meaningful manner.