In Montreal’s historic Nordelec building, where industrial bones meet modern refinement, Ivy Studio has transformed an indoor golf facility into a visually striking and socially vibrant club. With design cues pulled from the world of golf—both in color and texture—the Muni indoor golf club challenges the sport’s often buttoned-up image, blending playful sophistication with architectural grit.
Reviving a historic shell with playful elegance
Nestled in a corner unit of the century-old Nordelec building, Muni occupies nearly 7,000 square feet of raw, character-rich space. Exposed brick, concrete flooring, and visible steel beams form the foundational canvas of the project, setting a tone that Ivy Studio chose to honor rather than erase. The firm’s design approach retained the building’s industrial heritage while carefully layering in contemporary materials and golf-inspired references.
“The brick-clad facade and expansive windows set the stage for an interior where exposed concrete floors, structural steel, and raw brick walls maintain the industrial character… while contrasting with warm, refined interventions,” explained Ivy Studio. These contrasts define the spatial journey: from the double-height entry, guests are immediately immersed in a space that balances utilitarian minimalism with carefully curated richness.
At the entry, a forest-green oak veneer desk sits beneath a square light box clad in matching material, setting the design language for the rest of the space. Adjacent to this is a retail area featuring golf-related products, while a wide staircase—accented with burgundy millwork elements—leads visitors up into the heart of the club.
A modern clubhouse with retro undertones
The second level houses the club’s main attractions: seven high-tech golf simulator lounges designed for both practice and socializing. These rooms are arranged in groupings—some in pairs, one in a trio—offering flexible spaces that can be expanded using retractable partitions. Curved corners soften the layout, contributing to a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere that contrasts the formality of traditional golf venues.
The design leans heavily into color and material references from classic golf clubs, yet with a modern twist. Pale green hues—reminiscent of putting greens—coat the outer-facing corridor walls, while the interior of each simulator room is wrapped in warm red oak panels. Carpeted floors mimic the texture and tone of fairway grass, blending seamlessly with the green-upholstered seating. “Playful nods to traditional golf textures are woven throughout the space,” said Ivy Studio, describing how the interiors reimagine familiar cues. Checkerboard ceiling tiles incorporate lighting fixtures, and a smaller check pattern adorns built-in bench cushions, subtly evoking clubhouse nostalgia without feeling dated.
Dining and design in conversation
Muni is more than just a place to practice your swing—it also includes a thoughtfully designed restaurant and lounge, adding a layer of hospitality to the golf experience. The dining area continues the material language seen elsewhere, pairing dark wood with green and burgundy tones to create an inviting, elevated social space.
Banquettes are upholstered in green and navy striped fabric, evoking the tailored uniforms of traditional club staff, while tabletops feature polished marble surfaces with burgundy bases. Overhead, soft fabric cylinder lights hang from the exposed ceiling structure, creating a cozy ambiance. Wall-mounted steel sconces with burgundy panels echo the palette used throughout the club, reinforcing visual continuity.
According to Ivy Studio, “The design blends the nostalgia of classic country clubs with a modern, minimalist interpretation, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation.” That balance defines Muni’s identity: it honors golf’s heritage while shedding its exclusivity, resulting in a space that is both welcoming and aspirational.
A new narrative for a timeless sport
With Muni, Ivy Studio joins a growing movement of designers and brands who are challenging the outdated image of golf as a rigid and conservative sport. Much like the recently opened Malbon apparel stores in Miami and Carmel-by-the-Sea, which aim to rebrand golf for a younger, more diverse audience, this Montreal venue reflects a new cultural current—one that sees golf as stylish, social, and inclusive.
Ivy Studio’s ability to merge function with storytelling shines here. Known for its bold use of color and material—as seen in their other projects like a diner-inspired Ottawa restaurant and a pastel-hued creative hub in Montreal—the firm brings those same sensibilities to Muni, where design doesn’t just serve form, but identity.
By embracing the textures, colors, and codes of golf, while shedding the sport’s more exclusionary connotations, Muni becomes more than an indoor simulator space. It becomes a community venue, a style statement, and a cultural reset. In short, it’s golf—redesigned for now.
