Landscape Trends: Bocce Ball Courts
An Ancient Sport is a Modern Hit at Home
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.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... 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.
The edge of this bocce court provides an axis for the center of the
butterfly-ish roof of this home.
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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.
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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. Private Comment
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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. Private Comment
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| The primary colors of the bocce balls stand out here against the desert color palette of the rest of the landscape. Private Comment
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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.
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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! Private Comment
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| 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? Private Comment
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| 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?
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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 |
Comments
greengoat says:
I know exactly what you are talking about ... and yes ... Kenny Loggins would go well with bocce ... and ... of course the wine! We are building a house here in the Pacific northwest and bocce is in the plans.
Absolutely love the commentary you put on your ideabooks and find it quite enjoyable.
Absolutely love the commentary you put on your ideabooks and find it quite enjoyable.
13 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Thanks Greengoat! maybe I can come over for some wine and bocce when you are done? :)
Becky
Becky
13 months ago ·
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kandy smith says:
Your comments gave me a chuckle for the day :)
I'd play badminton.
That and or a trampoline. So much fun jumping on a trampoline
I'd play badminton.
That and or a trampoline. So much fun jumping on a trampoline
13 months ago ·
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Tenshon, LLC says:
That is a tough question. If I had limitless amounts of cash...a golf course. Back in the real world, probably a sand v-ball court. I know my Kenny Loggins and Huey Lewis will go great as background music with a sand volleyball court.
13 months ago ·
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Denise Vilim says:
Zac Efron?! Although adorable, he's just a kid! Maverick is a man, although Tom Cruise I could take or leave, but nobody, but nobody will ever best Val Kilmer as Ice Man! I didn't even know Top Gun was being remade until I read this. I'll wait for the DVD release.
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!
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!
13 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Oh April, I just made that up as a joke. It's not being remade!
Thanks Cadsaxl :)
Thanks Cadsaxl :)
13 months ago ·
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Leo Bocce says:
Hey Becky! Great post! I am so glad to see people catching on to what I knew all along. Bocce = awesome! It's such a fun sport that anyone can play which makes having a court in your own yard a great idea. If anyone is in Arizona and looking for a court of their own, check out www.doyoubocce.com to learn about Bocce Courts AZ- a custom bocce court builder that does some amazing work. I've attached one of the latest designs. Happy bocce-ing all!
13 months ago ·
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Regina says:
Becky, I always love reading what you write. We have a half court gym inside and a full court outside but I would love to have a tennis court and now, thanks to you, a bocce court simply because they look nice hehe and our son would love one.
12 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
oldschool, post a picture here when you're done please! I'd love to see it!
12 months ago ·
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calkelley says:
one of the best things about southern France - watching bocce ball. Oh, and that wine thing too.
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.
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.
6 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Cal, I can't hear "Sand Volleyball" without thinking about "Top Gun" :)
6 months ago ·
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