A seasonal pavilion harmonizing natural materials with geometric design has arrived

A new "Golf Pavilion" designed by Toronto-based studio Dubbeldam Architecture + Design has been completed at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto in Thornhill, Ontario. Located at the midway point of the course, the structure serves as a seasonal rest stop offering refreshments, beverages, and washroom facilities to players during their game.

The pavilion’s extended roof overhang effectively doubles the usable area below, inviting golfers to pause and recharge while providing shelter from the elements when needed. The patio echoes the outline of the roof, establishing a harmonious connection between the structure and its natural surroundings.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Embedded within the natural surroundings, the pavilion features a 41 sqm footprint beneath a cantilevered roof that effectively doubles its usable area. The geometric form is highlighted by an asymmetrical roof that leans back, creating a sense of direction toward the next hole. At the approach, an angled metal screen subtly referencing the form of golf clubs conceals the washroom doors while adding a touch of playfulness.

The roof’s low-lying horizontal geometry serves as a beacon for golfers.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Conceived as a “functional folly in the park,” the pavilion’s low, horizontal roof acts as a visual anchor while preserving views to the surrounding trees, pond, and rolling landscape. Its structure and seating are oriented to frame views of the fairway and nearby irrigation pond. Paving stones in a herringbone pattern trace the outline of the roof, reinforcing the attention to material detail and creating a generous, shaded patio that accommodates larger groups. Inside, a self-serve refreshment station enables efficient circulation, supporting the natural flow of players on the course. The use of natural wood combined with metal and stone elements evokes a refreshed, yet classic aesthetic that complements the club’s overall architecture.

The pavilion’s extended roof overhang effectively doubles the usable area below, inviting golfers to pause and recharge while providing shelter from the elements when needed. The patio echoes the outline of the roof, establishing a harmonious connection between the structure and its natural surroundings.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Light steel columns elegantly support the pavilion’s oversized roof, creating a sense of openness beneath the structure. The asymmetrical roof, weighted towards the back, imparts a directional motion toward the next hole, subtly guiding golfers forward.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Ample self-serve refreshment counters allow golfers to maintain an efficient pace, while expansive windows on three sides frame views of the golf course, keeping players visually connected to the surrounding landscape.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

The cedar ceiling finish extends into the interior, creating a seamless flow of materials. Expansive windows bring in abundant natural light and slide open to encourage airflow, enhancing the bright, inviting atmosphere.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

The prominent overhang that extends from all sides of the structure creates a welcoming shelter over the patio, inviting golfers to rest and enjoy the surrounding landscape while providing shelter from the elements when needed.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Heather Dubbeldam, principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, notes: <p class="en">"Planted flowering vines will grow to climb up the metal screen at the east entry, adding another texture to the pavilion over time. The screen’s vertical bars playfully reference the shape of golf clubs in a bag, while subtly concealing the washroom doors. 

A metal screen at the east entry, comprised of angled vertical bars, playfully references the form of golf clubs in a bag while subtly concealing the washroom doors.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Planted flowering vines will climb the metal screen at the east entry, adding another texture to the pavilion over time.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Designed for seasonal use, the pavilion excludes HVAC systems, relying instead on passive strategies such as cross-ventilation through operable windows and ceiling fans, maximizing daylight while reducing energy consumption. Without conventional heating or cooling systems, and with rainwater redirected through a perimeter of river stones, the structure maintains a low carbon footprint. Timber construction further emphasizes its environmentally conscious approach.

The pavilion, designed as a functional 'folly in the park,' features a low-lying form and natural wood finishes. The raw materials stand out against the forested course, allowing the structure to sit like a jewel within the landscape.
Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

As the only women’s golf club in North America with a 100-year legacy, the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto is investing in its future through a master plan that includes new facilities like this one. Modestly budgeted yet powerfully designed, the pavilion becomes the club’s first contemporary building—introducing a new architectural identity to a historically significant site.

Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

About Dubbeldam Architecture + Design

Dubbeldam Architecture + Design is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Toronto that creates thoughtful, sustainable, and innovative environments. Their diverse portfolio spans residential, multi-unit housing, workplaces, hospitality, landscape design, and architectural installations. The studio has received over 100 design awards, including the Canada Council for the Arts Professional Prix de Rome and the 2024 Architectural Practice Award from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada—among the most prestigious honors in Canadian architecture.