The redevelopment of the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club (FSLSC) was a non-profit, community project that provided the FSLSC with a new 1200m2 surf club across two levels.
The existing club house and adjacent public toilets were demolished and the new club house constructed on the cleared site. The ground floor level incorporates a dedicated reception area, main club room with commercial kitchen and bar facilities, and training areas. The basement level has first aid facilities, change rooms, public toilets, and access to the patrol tower, together with ample storage space.
The main challenges on the project included access to the site; with the northern boundary restricted by the Great Ocean Road, while the southern edge of the new building was to be constructed within metres of a heavily eroded sand dune. Due to the current state of erosion, the structure of the new building incorporated bored piers that have been designed to ensure the structure will remain standing in the event of extreme erosion in the future. During demolition works it was discovered that both the building and the site were riddled with asbestos, resulting in significant removal and remediation works.
The Fairhaven SLSC incorporated concrete, steel, blockwork and timber in its structure, while the external envelope is clad in a combination of sand stone, ship lap timber, cement render, metal wall cladding and glass. The south elevation of the club room is entirely glazed and wrapped in a timber deck with glazed panel balustrading to take full advantage of the coastal views.
