Selected Project
Waimarama Surf Life Saving Tower
Drawing inspiration from the surrounding context of the beach, dunes and breaking surf, the new Surf Lifesaving tower at Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club has fused together form and function. In function, the Control Tower acts as the crucial link between the sea and the shoreline. The representation of both the solidity of the concrete structure - seemingly growing from the ground, is overlaid by the lighter semi-transparent elements of timber and steel form of the rear screen which is an extension to the roof upper form – alluding to the breaking surf beyond. Un-swayed and un-moving, the body of the Tower offers safe harbour to those inside, to observe and to protect, to see and to hear. For those outside it signifies faith and security. In form, the roof form references the breaking surf on the Beach. The main body of the roof is a solid structure, under which the Cabin sits, and then as the roof line descends to the sand the slatted timber screen filters the light alluding to the feathered & leading edge of a breaking wave. The solidity of the supporting structural form is reminiscent of Wharf Piers which in turn allows the entire building to cantilever over the dunes below.
- Category
- Small Project Architecture
- Location
- Gisborne/Hawkes Bay
- Year
- 2016
