Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club sits on a headland above a sandstone escarpment enjoying panoramic views over Tamarama beach. The building has a very public interface that results from its entwined relationship with the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk which wraps around its southern facade. However despite this the existing Surf Club appears closed off with limited visual engagement with the public. With a view towards increasing club membership and enhancing the Surf Club's engagement with the local community the challenge was to improve the quality and functionality of the built form. Whilst the club building itself is not a listed heritage item our principle strategy was to recognise and respond to the historical importance and local significance of club being a foundation surf club and one of the first in the world (est. 1906). An art-deco parapet wall is retained as a historic anchor for the Surf Club's new identity. The wall will be repaired and new openings made to accommodate new views over the beach. Improvements to the building include level entries and walkways, upgraded amenities to comply with current standards and equal access, enlarged and improved storage facilities, and a new first floor main hall with external terrace to take advantage of the spectacular views over Tamarama Beach, and provision of a new lift. In total, the refurbishment will provide for improved surf life saving operations and make the facility more accessible to a wider proportion of the community while simultaneously enhancing the interface between the Surf Club and the general public.

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