Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club becomes a revitalised sanctuary

The Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has undergone a significant design transformation, enhancing its role as both a hub for beachgoers and a guardian of the surrounding coastal ecosystem. The revamped facility, which nestles into the landscape, provides a more sustainable, functional, and community-focused space, all while preserving the unique beauty of this iconic stretch of coastline.

GALLERY  

The redevelopment brief, shaped through extensive community consultation, called for a building that was low-key, robust, and integrated into the environment. The design response, led by the architects, features a series of smaller pavilions that blend seamlessly into the natural landscape. These pavilions are framed by both an existing dune to the east and a man-made dune to the west, with timber rain screens that allow the structure to weather naturally and become part of the coastal fabric.

At the heart of the new design is a central courtyard, designed to encourage interaction and community engagement. This open space helps reduce the building’s footprint, while outdoor furniture further fosters connections by gathering shifting sands and vegetation, creating a sense of place and time. The main pavilion, housing a function room on the second storey, offers spectacular views of North Head and the surrounding Banksia Grove, while its kite-shaped roof rises gently to maintain a low profile and respect the landscape’s scale.

Consultation with local stakeholders, including Northern Beaches Council, the Surf Life Saving Club, and community groups, led to several iterations of the design to ensure it met the diverse needs of the site’s users. The result is a facility that not only enhances the safety of beachgoers but also serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Whether learning to surf, taking a yoga class, attending a first aid course, or simply enjoying a coffee by the beach, the new Longreef SLSC is a flexible, welcoming space that caters to a variety of community activities.

The Longreef Surf Life Saving Club now stands as a beacon of thoughtful, sustainable architecture that increases the site’s amenity while celebrating its natural beauty. The revamped facility offers a dynamic, year-round base for both recreational and educational experiences, ensuring that the legacy of Longreef, with its unique coastal flora and fauna, is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Images by Martin Mischkulnig via ArchDaily

The Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has undergone a significant design transformation, ...