Native American

Talking Stick Golf Club Expansion
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

As one of the original enterprises of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Talking Stick Golf Course and existing clubhouse is of immense historical and cultural value. The ownership team wanted to expand operations to incorporate a venue to host larger events such as weddings year-round, as well as expand dining and retail amenities. Rather than demolishing the existing structure (which consisted of three separate buildings atop a hollow core slab and cart barn) the design-build team proposed enclosing the courtyard and adding a large event space on the north. The redesign of all the interiors was a very important element of the project. Furnishings and finishes were upgraded to align with the growing market for elevated weddings and golf events and premier dining experiences. State of the art audio/visual systems were installed in the event hall as well.

The original footprint occupied 10,700 sq. ft. of interior space, and was expanded to 18,800 sq. ft., including the new event hall with a serving kitchen and event bar, expanded and relocated golf shop, bridal room, groom’s lounge, expanded kitchen, and renovated restaurant with indoor and outdoor bar. The new events patio features 7 unique firepits, outdoor bar, and the wedding ‘ceremony circle’ that all feature stunning mountain views for an inviting outdoor experience. In addition to all of the upgraded amenities, it was very important to preserve and highlight the cultural elements unique to the Pima and the Maricopa culture through the architecture. This project focused on showing the traditional methods of building through the architecture; all of the building shading elements were inspired by the 'Vato' shade structures, which are traditional shade ramadas made from timber and reeds. The plasterwork on the façade building is influenced by traditional earthen building techniques that were historically used.