Casalunga Golf Resort owner, Gianluca Vacchi, assigned the development project to the Iascone practice. The brief: to extend the existing clubhouse located in the countryside of Castenaso near Bologna, Italy. Five new buildings have been added around the former clubhouse, a converted farm: a reception-cum-gatehouse, the new clubhouse, dressing rooms and golf-bag lockers, fitness centre with outdoor swimming pool and solarium, outdoor summer bar, and eight hotel rooms. The flat countryside around the complex is relieved by undulations created by gravel quarries excavated near the river. The golf course itself extends across a discussed quarry and includes an artificial lake. In deference to the traditions and history of the place, the new development took its cue from the typical features of the flat landscape: long drainage ditches flanked by rows of trees and stone buildings. The north-south pedestrian pathway, marked out by a straight row of trees, provides the axis for the whole layout. Volumes are in keeping with the agricultural setting. They relate to each other and to communal areas in the manner of a farm and outhouses; each has its distinctive function and each enjoys wide vistas over the golf course. The fully glazed façades of the clubhouse offer the most extensive views. New and old buildings sit well together. Along with the former farmhouse, two cylindrical silos, the golf club’s longstanding landmarks, have been retained. They have been given a glazed frontage and are now a reception-cum-gatehouse. The heights of the new buildings are in keeping with the original farmhouse, becoming gradually lower as the buildings extend southward. Stone is pivotal to the architectural design. Stonewalls resonate with the human and natural history of the place, their solidity and opacity countered by the lightness and transparency of glass. The river stones cladding the façades are held in place by stainless steel cages. The juxtaposition of shiny steel and stone, whose texture and shades change with the light and weather conditions, creates varying visual perspectives. Simple lines and the use of the same materials and colours throughout are the unifying language of this medley of buildings. Similarly, the interiors, especially the clubhouse and bedrooms, contribute to a sense of unity. Indoor communal areas all have oak flooring while cement-grey decorative tiles clad service and sports areas. Furnishings are distinctive and comfortable, the sports facilities innovative. Discreet, effective lighting with direct and indirect recessed wall lamps emphasises the care taken over each environment. Energy audits carried out on the buildings using Ecotect software report 30% energy savings compared to traditional solutions. The outer stone cladding protects the buildings from the sun’s rays while the low solar-factor glazing prevents overheating. Unglazed sections are protected by multilayer insulation. The glazed clubhouse frontage will be provided with an external roller awning while at the hotel, internal patios and pergolas provide sun shielding. The technical plant has been designed to avoid energy inefficiency while ensuring comfort zone temperatures; centrally operated electronic controls optimise management and maintenance. Solutions are in line with the environment’s particular requirements. Radiant panels heat the more occupied areas, and a forced-air heating and cooling system has been added in the clubhouse. In the gym and dressing rooms, the primary air system has a heat recovery plant and a CO2 sensitive air-inlet system which trips in depending on the number of occupants. Francesco Pagliari