Streamsong Resort- Bowling Green, FL

Streamsong is the most design forward golf resort I have ever visited. It is fabulously unconventional in an industry that rarely strays from revival architecture types. It would merit a trip even if they didn’t have three of the top rated golf courses in Florida. 

Designed by Cuban born Florida architect Alberto Alfonso, the structure mimics the surrounding environment. In this case, a former phosphate mine located in an area known as “Bone Valley.”

The low slung building consists of four zones/layers: Submersion (concrete and stone- under water), Bank (steel-water meets land), Canopy (wood-sheltered tree tops) and Sky (glass). Not surprising, Alfonso won two Awards of Excellence from the Florida AIA for both the lodge and the clubhouse design. 

The guest rooms, located in The Canopy, are modern and functional. The louvered wood blinds are absolute genius. In addition to the usual elements, each room includes a custom book niche, sized to fit 10 books by Southern authors; above, in its own niche, a copy of A Land Remembered, which covers over a century of Florida history. I am not sure how often anyone actually reads the books, but I certainly appreciate the effort. 

Striking in its composition, the resort looks fantastic from every angle, never overwhelming its surroundings. The pool and patio are inviting, while more natural areas exist at the far reaches of the property. The design here is a welcome surprise, and certainly enhances the experience.