BUILD - Architecture Awards 2017

9 2017 Architecture Awards Build rawing on Michel’s vast experience in the golf course design market, which spans over 30 years working on projects around the world, Golf Optimum works on a range of golf course developments including Garden Golf de Villenave d’Ornon, which comprises of 18 holes plus 9 holes, located close to Bordeaux City in France. This project and the others the firm is undertaking all strive to be as environmentally friendly as possible, using the latest techniques to enhance the natural landscape, as Michel explains. “The balance between the golf course and the protection of nature is the target to reach when you are designing a golf course; this approach will definitely create its originality. This balance is the keystone in the process of developing a golf course, from its concept, through its construction phase and ending up with its maintenance, which should be completely respectful of the environment. “The insertion of the golf course on the site, relies firstly on its proximity to the land, not only from the topographical point of view, but also by adding more intimately the layout and shapes into the hydro-geological characteristics, as well as in the numerous and different features of the landscape, where all the wealth of Mother Nature is nestled. The maintenance of the new golf course must remain constantly in the golf course architect’s vision. “Today it is undeniable that the maintenance must be virtuous, by removing the negative impacts on the environment, by making its implementation easier which will generate considerable financial economies by the reduction of an intensive use of machines due to a too difficult layout which generates additional financial expenditure and forms of pollution: the more machines used, the more fuel consumption, the more waste, the more CO² emissions, the more tired the staff feel, etc. “Despite these challenges, a well-thought out project, which has been looked at from every angle, will increase its credibility with regard to the authorities and the population. On a successfully completed project, the ecology of the site and the ecology of golf fit on the same valuable scale. The solutions proposed by the golf project must preserve biodiversity, the landscape and cultural and historical heritage in the long term.” To ensure the success of any project, Michel believes that communication and collaboration are key, as he is eager to highlight. “The success of a sustainable development depends considerably on the understanding by the actors involved in the construction, the environmental and golf issues of the project, as well as the appropriate implementation in the framework of the building site of management procedures and of the protection of the environment. “Another aspect not to be neglected is the communication, which does not stop on the doorstep of different protagonists of the project; a positive collaboration must be reflected between all of the organisations and associations concerned with the environment. This communication must not be limited only to simply informing but it must go beyond this congruent form of communication in only one direction by installing a real voluntary step towards the outside world to favour regular contacts, discussions and common research initiatives.” Looking to the future, Michel foresees continued development in the sustainable golf course space which will provide Golf Optimum with many great opportunities to create even more creative projects. “Ultimately, the future developments of golf courses will be the moral reflection of our human and professional commitment towards our descendants and the heritage that we will leave them, and I am excited for the latest innovations which will allow me and my firm the chance to create real change.” Best Golf Architecture & Design Firm - France Golf Optimum are dedicated to designing innovative golf courses, focusing on creating great spaces which are also environmentally sustainable. We caught up with Golf Course Architect Michel Niedbala to get an overview of the firm and the types of projects it undertakes. D AR170011 Contact: Michel Niedbala Address: 26/12 rue de la Noyera, F-38090 Villefontaine, France Phone: + 33 672 90 80 93 Email: [email protected] Website: www.golfoptimum.fr