Designing one of the UK’s most advanced golf performance facilities
Creating world-class sporting environments requires technical precision, sustainability and a deep understanding of how people interact with space. The Kingdom at The Grove brings these elements together within a state-of-the-art golf fitting facility.
Working alongside main contractor Kingerlee Ltd, WWA was appointed to provide the technical design for The Kingdom at The Grove, an innovative bespoke golf fitting facility developed in partnership with TaylorMade Golf and The Grove Hotel & Spa. Working from the original planning design by IF_DO Architects, our role was to develop a technically robust, buildable solution that retained the architectural vision while meeting complex construction, sustainability and operational requirements.
A New Standard for Custom Golf Fitting
Purpose-built to support elite club fitting and performance analysis, The Kingdom brings together industry-leading technologies, including:
- TrackMan launch monitors
- Foresight Sports analysis
- GEARS motion capture
- Quintic putting analysis
- TaylorMade’s complete equipment range
Alongside multiple fitting studios, the development includes:
- Specialist putting studio
- Bespoke club-building workshop
- Premium reception and lounge
- Spectator viewing areas
- Direct connection to the driving range
Through technical design development, WWA helped deliver a purpose-built environment that supports precision golf performance analysis, with carefully detailed glazing and open training bays strengthening the visual and physical connection between the interior spaces, the driving range and the surrounding landscape.
Technical Design for The Kingdom at The Grove
Originally designed by IF_DO Architects, WWA was responsible for developing the technical design while preserving the original architectural vision throughout construction.
One of the defining characteristics of the building is its exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, chosen for both its environmental credentials and natural aesthetic.
Our role required close collaboration with specialist timber manufacturers, structural engineers, contractors, building services consultants and the contractor to resolve complex detailing while ensuring every element could be delivered without compromising performance or design quality.
Overcoming Complex Technical Challenges
The project presented several significant design challenges.
Large roller shutter openings were required to allow golfers to hit directly from the indoor fitting bays onto the driving range. Achieving the required opening height within strict planning constraints required extensive technical coordination.
Because the roller shutters could not provide the necessary thermal performance, WWA redesigned the building envelope so the thermal line sat within the internal face of each fitting bay. This maintained excellent energy efficiency while protecting the exposed CLT structure from varying environmental conditions.
The design also incorporated future flexibility. Service routes, glazing details and structural provisions allow the lounge area to be converted into an additional fitting bay with minimal disruption should demand increase in the future.
Additional technical detailing was required to ensure the exposed timber structure met stringent fire performance requirements while maintaining a consistent internal appearance. Specialist fire-retardant treatments and carefully selected timber finishes allowed essential service installations to integrate seamlessly with the exposed CLT frame.
Sustainability at the Heart of the Design
Environmental performance was central to every design decision.
Key sustainable features include the following:
- Cross-laminated timber (CLT) structural frame with low embodied carbon
- High-performance building fabric
- Air source heat pumps (ASHP)
- Roof-mounted photovoltaic panels
- High-performance glazing maximising natural daylight
- Strong visual and physical connection to the surrounding landscape
Internally, the exposed timber structure creates a warm, biophilic environment while reducing the need for additional finishing materials.
By combining low-embodied carbon construction with energy-efficient building systems and future adaptability, the project demonstrates how sustainable architecture can enhance both environmental performance and long-term operational resilience.
Delivering Lasting Value
The completed Kingdom at The Grove provides an adaptable, energy-efficient facility designed to respond to future demand, offering a premium golf-fitting experience.
It delivers:
- Lower operational energy consumption
- Reduced embodied carbon
- Increased flexibility for future expansion
- Enhanced visitor experience
- A flagship destination for TaylorMade Golf in the UK
For WWA, the project exemplifies our ability to translate ambitious architectural concepts into technically deliverable buildings, balancing design intent, sustainability, functionality and future adaptability throughout the technical design process.
“We are thrilled with the venue. WWA has done a fantastic job bringing our vision for The Kingdom at The Grove to life, creating a world-class facility that sets a new standard for custom fitting and performance experiences in the UK.” James Smith, TaylorMade Golf