"Each home will be between 367 and 700 square metres, with turf and pebble roofs."

Sarah Matheson in the Epoch Times looks at this week's New Zealand Open host site and developer Michael Hill's planned underground housing, along with its almost entire underground clubhouse. Almost.

Meanwhile, Craig Better at Golf Vacation Insider questions the wisdom of the concept and says it gives new meaning to "living in a bunker."

According to GolfChannel.com, coverage begins with the first round Thursday morning at 6:30 a.m. Pacific.

Comments

[Tighthead]

I wouldn't mind staying in a bunker-style accomodation on a guys golf trip. I think it would enhance the experience of beer, cards, wagering, etc. It would appropriately de-civilize the entire experience.

[jneu]

In the midst of some of the world's most magnificent scenery, they're trying to keep from messing up the view. On the other hand, if you're traveling to that magnificent area, wouldn't you want to be able to see it from your home?

Too bad they're not playing at the nearby Arrowtown Golf Club -- one of the most delightful and challenging 5300-metre courses you could ever hope to find.

[Smolmania]

jneu, it doesn't sound as if the two portions of your post are precluded by the proposal -- there has to be some access above ground, and that could be the window to the scenic views. I'm no architect, but it sounds very interesting to me.

Maybe someone should tell Rupert O'Neal about the concept. There's a pretty neat looking hill just east of his lodging which could be the situs of some really cool lodging folded into the hillside! Plus, the insulation property of the earth would make both heating and cooling bills much less.

[Hux]

I usually make a point of skipping coverage of my national Open; the usual NZ venue being a Gulf Harbour or somewhere equally dreadful. This week however I actually plan to watch. I'm intrigued to see Michael Hill's golf course.

I'm 99% convinced it's going to be a shining example of the heavily-landscaped, back-of-a-kid's-mathsbook school of we-stopped-doing-that-fifteen-years-ago design.

It's the 1% possibility it's not that will have me tuned in.

But if it's bleak and windy and the course plays too firm for the design, I'm definitely seeing potential train wreck material here (which would also be entertaining). The 'diving board' 18th green especially, should produce some particularly choice moments of golfing comedy if they put the pin at the back. Bring it on.

[JohnV]

They did film Lord of the Rings down there didn't they? It sounds like Frodo has returned and is in charge of land use planning.

Actually I like the idea. I always have felt that if you can afford to build a house somewhere like this it should make as minimum a visual impact as possible.

[Tom Doak]

Geoff:

I haven't seen The Hills course and don't even know who designed it, but I met the architect Andrew Paterson who is designing these underground homes and clubhouse. He was the designer for the pro shop at Cape Kidnappers and he had a fascinating design for a through-the-ground Lodge on the Cape whose site was unfortunately rejected for environmental reasons. The guy is a genius.