Scarboro Beach Services & Surf Club, Perth Sports Building, Australian Leisure Development Images

Scarboro Beach Services & Surf Club in Perth

30 Sep 2020

Scarboro Beach Services & Surf Club

Design: Hames Sharley

Location: Perth, Western Australia

photo © Joel Barbitta

The Scarboro Beach Services & Surf Club provide wonderful community and cultural benefits. By their very nature they exemplify what it means to be Australian.

photo © D-Max Photograohy

The principles of the Scarborough Surf Saving Club emanated from our collaboration with the foreshore redevelopment team. This was evident from the project’s inception and briefing workshops which enabled us to fully understand the wants and needs of all key stakeholders.

photo © D-Max Photograohy

Our approach centred on the often quoted ‘sand and sea’ that describes the coastal location. The design of upper building consists of two forms; sand – inspiring the ‘solid’ form that houses the functional service parts of the precinct and sea – inspiring ‘transparent’ forms that represent sea froth, realised as permeable enclosures.

photo © Joel Barbitta

Transparency is enhanced with concrete fins inspired by surfboards and waves to create a rhythm to the exposed south of the building. These fins aren’t just architectural expressions but also enable lines of sight from the entry through to the ocean, whilst providing structure and thermal mass for ESD compliance. The lower facilities are finished with concrete and timber cladding, creating legibility and a sense of tranquillity.

photo © D-Max Photograohy

The wall that connects the existing limestone turret, the boatshed and the tower’s southern elevation are finished in limestone, thereby connecting the new development to the old.

photo © D-Max Photograohy

The objectives and design principles for the Scarborough Surf Saving Club were identified during early workshops and included building on Scarborough’s identity, creating an activated, integrated and attractive place and defining “what is the role of the Beach services and the SLSC”.

From the outset Hames Sharley approached the project as an exercise in urban design. Issues including activation, view corridors, integration and micro-climate were all analysed with stakeholders before the building forms were developed. Once these issues were understood the team considered the project as a series of spaces, positioned to enhance and celebrate the overall precinct. The external spaces created being as important as the internal spaces.

photo © D-Max Photograohy

One of the first decisions by the design team was to split the operational areas on the lower level with the hospitality and managerial areas on the upper promenade. Splitting these spaces is the lower promenade public pathway, allowing the public pass through the surf club zone.

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority are transforming Perth into a vibrant, connected city that can meet the needs of a growing population.

photo © Joel Barbitta

With a unique combination of powers, a thoughtful place making model and a passionate team, they are able to deliver complex and strategically significant projects where other approaches have been unsuccessful. Their approach to delivering challenging projects is centred on a vision to create dynamic, authentic and sustainable places with communities where people want to live, work and visit.

photo © Joel Barbitta

Many sustainability initiatives were investigated as part of this project, including solar panels, grey water re-use and meter monitoring. The most effective measures integrated were passive solutions to minimise energy usage, including fully opening windows and minimising direct sunlight.

photo © D-Max Photograohy

Scarboro Beach Services & Surf Club in Perth, Australia – Building Information

Design: Hames Sharley

Project Budget: $13000000

Building Surveyor: Philip Chun
Mechanical Engineer: Wood & Grieve,
Builder: Georgiou Group
Civil Consultant: Arup

photo © D-Max Photograohy

Photography: Joel Barbitta and D-Max Photograohy

Scarboro Beach Services & Surf Club, Perth images / information received 300920

Location: Scarborough, Perth, Western Australia

Perth Buildings

New Perth Architecture – selection of contemporary architectural designs:

Perth Architecture News

Perth Architecture Designs – chronological list

Capital Square
Architects: Cox Architecture

photography : Martin Siegner and Peter Bennetts
Capital Square

Forrest Street House, Fremantle
Design: Philip Stejskal Architecture

photograph : Bo Wong
Forrest Street House in Fremantle

Perth Buildings

Australian School Buildings

Australian School Buildings

Melville Senior High School Theatre, Perth

St Stephens Primary School, Duncraig, Perth, Western Australia
Design: Cox Architecture

photography: Peter Bennetts
St Stephens Primary School in Duncraig