Situated at the south end of a 7.8-acre clear water lagoon, is Evermore Resort’s feature multi-purpose venue, The Boathouse. The building is 12,000 SF of combined indoor and outdoor covered space and contains a small and large event room, commercial kitchen, and retail space with water activity rentals. Navigating a steep change in grade elevation, the two-story building is retained along the south side, with support spaces and retail on the first floor and a large event venue, kitchen and main entry on the second floor. To celebrate the arrival sequence, the entry foyer and main hall are split into separate glass volumes connected by an outdoor, covered walking bridge. A concrete monumental stair runs below this bridge, giving guests access to the lower event lawn, small meeting room with chris-craft boat slip and retail area along the waterfront below. This slot opening creates a visual connection between the 18th green of the resort’s premiere golf course to the south with the lagoon and main hotel to the north.
When guests enter the foyer, they are treated to expansive views of the lagoon and surrounding development. The glass cupola above lets daylight through the roof, cascading across a wood sculpture. Walking across the bridge, guests approach the large, solid wood doors; a moment of pause before the big reveal. Inside reveals the curving glu-lam trusses organizing the space with gabled light wells clad in stretched fabric in between. The roof structure above is veiled with a cypress plank ceiling. As a contrast to the strong roof line, the curved interior structure and ceiling soften the space, creating a striking silhouette at night. A minimal material palette of steel, wood, glass and stucco, the building intentionally balances familiar forms with modern detail and subtlety.
