Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club

Located on the foreshore of Goolwa Beach in South Australia, this Surf Life Saving Club is an essential emergency services asset required for the Southern Fleurieu region. The current club is a storage area and an accompanying Patrol Tower. This new facility will allow growth of the club and provide a greater service to the Goolwa Beach and surrounding areas.

The Architectural design is based on a ‘jetty’ theme – where the balcony aligns with the low-level glazing at the first floor. The massing is oriented away from the western and eastern sun and focused toward the ocean. The building was designed around the idea of ‘shelter’. This is solid in some areas to protect against the elements of the weather.

Materials are local. Recycled timbers were used for the seating and balustrade at ground floor. Exposed core-ten is the main feature material, which will be become weathered and connect to its natural surroundings over time.

Raw concrete is used to reference the jetty language and constructed with the use of plywood formwork to give a rough textured finish.

The ground floor kiosk has two main external areas, the first is the south-western corner where the sun in winter is wanted, and the second is the undercover area to the south that could have a cafe blind-style protection during times of severe weather conditions.