Architecture studio DROO has extended and refurbished Arc Polo Farm in Surrey, UK, focusing on upgrading the stables and training facilities, while adding a new clubhouse clad in charred timber to the existing ensemble of barns and stables.

Drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of shakkei (borrowed scenery), the design incorporates an arc-shaped route that frames expansive views of the central polo field, connecting the site’s key elements and celebrating its natural landscape.

The route guides visitors through a space that embraces both the built and natural environments.

At the centre of this arc sits the newly constructed clubhouse, a low-slung, gabled structure that draws inspiration from the vernacular architecture of rural barns. Its spruce-framed form is clad in charred Accoya wood, supplied by specialist manufacturer Exterior Solutions Ltd.

The choice of Accoya was pivotal: its exceptional dimensional stability, durability, and 50-year warranty against rot made it ideally suited for both external exposure and internal application. The charring process, perfected using the traditional Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban, not only enhances the timber’s resistance to weathering, UV radiation, and insects, but also creates a rich, tactile finish that evolves beautifully over time.

Accoya’s low moisture content ensures a consistent char, producing striking finishes that range from deep-black to lightly brushed textures. For DROO, this material presented the opportunity to achieve a naturally weathered aesthetic while ensuring enduring performance within Surrey’s exposed landscape.

The design of Arc Polo Farm fosters a seamless connection between its elements. An arc-shaped route, anchored by two mature oak trees, links the stables and training areas to the newly constructed clubhouse. The clubhouse’s northern façade gently curves inward, offering a continuous, wood-decked veranda for spectators.

Sustainability was a key focus of the project. Rainwater collected from the clubhouse roof is channelled into adjacent lakes, which in turn support the irrigation of the polo fields, enhancing the site’s ecological resilience.

By incorporating natural materials like Accoya wood, which requires minimal maintenance and offers exceptional longevity, DROO ensures that the estate’s architecture will endure and adapt gracefully over time.

Through its thoughtful design and material choices, Arc Polo Farm seamlessly blends heritage, landscape, and contemporary sporting life, creating a new chapter that harmonises with the enduring rhythms of the English countryside.

Project Details

Architects: DROO
Charred Wood Manufacturer: Exterior Solutions Ltd
Photography: Henry Woide