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Landscape Trends: Bocce Ball Courts
An Ancient Sport is a Modern Hit at Home
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
When I recently interviewed Landscape Architect Randy Thueme, he explained that a large part of the built landscape we were touring was centered around a bocce ball court. I was certain there could not be too many more residential bocce ball courts around, but I was wrong. As it turns out, there are a lot of them on Houzz.
What's interesting is the part they play in these residential landscapes. Instead of being tucked to the side like a tennis court, they seem to take the more revered spot adjacent to patios, edible gardens, terraces and more. Most of these look like they are in the American West — apparently we East Coasters are still stuck on the more temporarily installed games of croquet and badminton.
What's interesting is the part they play in these residential landscapes. Instead of being tucked to the side like a tennis court, they seem to take the more revered spot adjacent to patios, edible gardens, terraces and more. Most of these look like they are in the American West — apparently we East Coasters are still stuck on the more temporarily installed games of croquet and badminton.
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The edge of this bocce court provides an axis for the center of the
butterfly-ish roof of this home.
butterfly-ish roof of this home.
| Landscape Architect Randy Thueme explained to me that the lady of the house loves to play bocce ball, thus a court has a prime position between the house and the view of the Pacific Ocean.
Tour the rest of this remarkable landscape. |
Instead of a lawn or extended terrace, this home has a bocce court. The scale of it works really well with that of the house.
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| One can enjoy a game at this court, then pick a tomato or two for dinner from the edible garden on the way back into the house. |
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| Here is the same landscape from a different angle. It's interesting the way the rectangular bocce ball court can fit into a yard the same way a swimming pool would. |
| The primary colors of the bocce balls stand out here against the desert color palette of the rest of the landscape. |
I love the way this one is integrated into the landscape. The stone wall and plantings around it are breathtaking, and even the balls themselves fit right into the material palette.
Another great thing about bocce? You can play it and drink wine at the same time. Or at least watch other people play it and drink wine at the same time.
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| Perhaps with these people — they look fun! |
| Playing a primitive form of bocce goes all the way back to the Egyptians in 5000 B.C. Doesn't this fancy covered patio with the curtains seem like someplace a modern-day Cleopatra could sit and watch the sport? |
| Once again, a court stands between the home and the view of the ocean. What a gorgeous spot to play this game! I wonder if they remade Top Gun in 2011(starring Zac Efron as Maverick and Kellan Lutz as Ice Man), the jet pilots would have an oiled-up shirtless game of bocce ball instead of beach volleyball. Does bocce go with a Kenny Loggins soundtrack? Are most of you way too young to know what I'm talking about?
If you could pick one kind of sports court on your property, what would it be (this includes bowling lanes, ping pong, whatever floats your boat)? Please share with everyone in the comments section. More landscape ideas on Houzz |
Ideabook updated on April 18, 2011.
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Becky
I'd play badminton.
That and or a trampoline. So much fun jumping on a trampoline
Back to bocce...
I just love all the courts above! I think if I could have any type of game court as part of my landscape it would have to be volleyball, sore palms and all!
Thanks Cadsaxl :)
love the pics. I'd consider this, though a sand volleyball court also sounds great. They'll have to wait until the batting cage (which will double as a safe place for the other son to shoot his bow and arrows) gets put in.