DBJ + peter colquhoun celebrate heroism in north bondi surf life saving club

DBJ + peter colquhoun celebrate heroism in north bondi surf life saving club
image © natalie walsh
all images courtesy of durbach block jaggers

australian studio durbach block jaggers in collaboration with architect and local, peter colquhoun have redesigned the ‘north bondi surf life saving club’ (NBSLSC) in sydney. connecting directly with its beachfront location, the building celebrates the understated heroism of its members and the playful hedonism of life on the beach. positioned on an iconic and national heritage site, the original structure was disengaged from its surroundings – the new clubhouse achieves a continuous dialogue with the public, as its transparent edges open the inside spaces to the exterior. the volume consists of a single form that varies continuously, echoing the gentle cove of the beach and its two headlands.

the surf life saving club at dusk
image © eugene tan

respecting the natural beauty of the site, the mass is intended to be both looked at and through, with a carved courtyard that contains two primary function spaces. a wide veranda and outdoor stairs allow for the activities on the beach to easily be observed and offer a direct access way to both the street and waterfront. a sparkling façade of patterned tiles illuminates the surface, constantly animated by the sun, shadows and mood of life at bondi.

image © eugene tan 

surfers in the waves at bondi beach in sydney
image © eugene tan

the surface of the façade is made up of a pattern of tiles
image © john gollings

the tiles sparkle in the sun
image © jeannette lloyd-jones

view of the mosaic façade and window through to the beach below
image © john gollings

view over the beach from the deck
image © anthony browell

image © anthony browell

interior view of the surf life saving club
image © john gollings

detail image of the stairwell
image © john gollings

project info:

architects: durbach block jaggers architects p/l in collaboration with peter colquhoun
durbach block jaggers project team: neil durbach, camilla block, david jaggers, stefan heim (project architect), erin field, deborah hodge, mitchell thompson, lisa le van
north bondi SLSC team: peter colquhoun, grant mcmah, peter strachan, ben griffiths, mark cotter, peter zieme
project manager: carter building and design
structural enginner: m+g consulting
planner: mersonn p/l andrew darroch
accessibility: mark relf
electrical, fire, mechanical: cardno itc
façade engineer, section j compliance: surface design
heritage: urbis
hydraulic: whipps wood
lighting: zumtobel
paint: resene paints

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.