Patio Addition

The Legend at Bristlecone is a private golf club in Hartland, Wisconsin, known for its impressive Prairie-style clubhouse and course views.  However, it needed a dedicated outdoor space for members to gather before or after play.

The existing building featured a narrow catwalk along its east elevation overlooking the golf course—functional as a passage, but not a place to linger.  Galbraith Carnahan Architects expanded a section toward the course, creating Payne's Patio: a covered outdoor addition with a bar, seating, and firepits, connected to the dining room via folding glass doors.  Designing within the single-story structure’s constraints required coordination. The column grid avoided windows, doors, and stairways while preserving sightlines to the fairways. Just ten columns support the patio, keeping the structure light and views unobstructed.

Material selections balanced durability with warmth.  All primary structure is steel, chosen for longevity in Wisconsin's four-season climate.  Wood ceiling elements add warmth and conceal electrical runs within integrated soffits, which also serve as the space's signature lighting feature. Channel lights create a continuous halo effect around the perimeter of the ceiling.  Flooring is an epoxy with a grit finish selected for its year-round anti-slip performance.

The addition is understated by design, enhancing the clubhouse and landscape instead of dominating them.  Payne's Patio transforms the building's edge into a key destination, providing members a place to unwind, connect, and linger at the club.