Jesse Lockhart-Krause, principal and founder of Lockhart-Krause Architects, has won the tender to renovate the Bondi Surf Club. After years of consulting with Waverley Council, the Club members and the local stakeholders, the DA was approved without a single objection, an extraordinary feat in itself. You can read all the detail of the new design here.
The Bondi Surf Club is the oldest in the world, formed in 1907. The clubhouse was built in 1934 and has long been unfit for purpose. Jesse’s job was to bring the iconic building into the 21st century while maintaining architectural sympathy with the adjacent, recently refurbished Bondi Pavilion.
Jesse discusses the process of reconciling the technical structural elements of the construction, the heritage demands of renovating such an iconic building, and the design features that satisfy the ‘humans’ who are going to use the space. While these elements may conflict at times, he seems to have found solutions that satisfy all parties.
During the consultation process, club members’ number one concern was the lack of storage space for all their life-saving equipment. Think boats, boards, warning flags, first aid equipment etc. The other issue they identified was the inadequate change rooms for female volunteers. This had become an issue after female surf lifesavers were allowed to enter the Club in 1980, and now make up nearly half the membership. In the new design, both change rooms are of equal size. There will be also a new improved space for the nippers.
Other elements of the design include a Surf Museum at the front entrance to the building. This inclusion of public space was a driving force behind the design. In the old building the public had no access to the historic building. And as the first surf club in the world, what better place to have the story of surfing portrayed.
Many of the subsequently added buildings will be removed and their functions will be met by storage areas created below the original building.
Opening up the site has allowed the creation of more public access points, including the sheltered courtyard, a kiosk and a picnic area between the buildings, and open terraces.
From inside the Pavilion, the view along the long corridor will be extended, so that the visitor can see right through both sites to the children’s playground beyond.
Jesse is also a volunteer Patrol Captain at the Surf Club. The surfing season has only just officially begun, and the Club is calling out for new volunteers. You can apply to become a volunteer surf lifesaver on their website.
Arts Wednesday 4 October 2023
10.30-12.00
89.7fm
DAB+