Architects: Wood Marsh
Photographs: Mengzhu Jiang
Seaside Elegance: A Tribute to Victoria’s Coastline
Architectural Ode to Nature’s Corrosive Ballet
Situated along Victoria’s sandstone coastline, the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club stands as a testament to the corrosive beauty of its surroundings. Crafted by Wood Marsh, the design draws inspiration from the coastal erosion, embodying a robust ruggedness that gracefully ages over time. The ‘dune’ and ‘stack’ components, portraying the horizontality of the concealed club building and the verticality of the commanding control tower, together capture the essence of weathered resilience.
Integration with the Landscape
Positioned delicately within the landscape, the surf life-saving club expands its program across two levels, tactfully adapting to the slope of the site. The lower level, seamlessly integrated into the original footprint, serves as a foundational podium housing essential facilities, including patrol rooms, first aid stations, change rooms, and surf lifesaving equipment storage. Meanwhile, the upper level, floating amidst coastal vegetation, embraces the social aspects with a café and bar, offering panoramic views of Bass Strait.
Strategic Design and Illusory Simplicity
The entire ground plane is elevated, enhancing accessibility and creating an illusion of singularity, seamlessly blending with the coastal panorama. The control tower, a distinct yet harmonious entity, protrudes like a weathered rock formation, strategically positioned to oversee beach patrols and provide shelter for volunteers. The tower, akin to a coastal beacon, integrates natural timber, dark metal, concrete, and glass, echoing its robust connection to the ocean and eroded dunes.
Eroded Aesthetics and Delicate Shadows
Embracing the eroded aesthetic of its coastal locale, the architecture incorporates deliberate curves, allowing shadows to dance around corners, softening harsh contours. Replacing a twenty-five-year-old structure, the rebuilding process not only revitalized the center’s functionality but also redefined its role as a community hub. Beyond its core surf lifesaving activities, the club now features operable walls and integrated acoustic treatments, offering versatile configurations for diverse functions.
Unobtrusive Elegance for Community Gathering
Connected to the site, landscape, and community, the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club embodies intentional subtlety, establishing itself as a welcoming space where people unite, sharing a collective admiration for the waterfront. Wood Marsh’s architectural marvel harmonizes with the coastal majesty, creating a haven that gracefully ages alongside the natural forces that shape Victoria’s coastline.
