The Conservation and Restoration of the Bondi Pavilion was completed and the building reopened to the public in late 2022 after decades of protests that saw successive plans scrapped and revised. TZG worked to protect and celebrate the heritage landmark whilst providing the local residents and visitors to Bondi with a contemporary multi-purpose community, cultural facility centre and ‘unofficial town hall’.
Through extensive Stakeholder workshops, Councils’ brief for TZG was to develop a ‘whole-of-building concept design’ adhering to the 5 Star sustainability rating and including a full asset upgrade of all building fabric elements. Throughout this process, TZG ensured that the historic character of the building was respected and important historical features were protected, including an Aboriginal floor mosaic that was a gift from the people of Arnhem Land.
The design focussed on providing a better connection from Campbell Parade to Bondi Beach, and a strengthened relationship with its parkland setting. This has been achieved by introducing a new grand entrance to the north and creating additional east-west connections through the Pavilion.
When construction began, the entire pavilion had serious structural issues, but the brickwork was stitched together using hundreds of helical ties to connect one brick to another. New precast concrete columns hold up a new glass roof to the old atrium with large timber beams to filter the northern light and protect the building from direct sun. The Pavilion is open, allowing natural ventilation throughout the entire building and on the rooftop, 217 solar panels supply 71 per cent of the building’s energy needs.
The internal courtyard spaces, where the dressing sheds had been located for many decades, are landscaped and serviced, comfortably accommodating daily use whilst providing opportunity for a wide range of functions including outdoor festivals, music, film, theatre and other performance events. By removing the courtyard’s old amphitheatre, the design made space for a 2667-square-metre courtyard large enough for 2000 people. It is now called the Garu and Guya Courtyards, using the local Dharawal name for northern and southern.
The revitalised Bondi Pavilion is a centre of community life – home to a vibrant mix of cultural, community, recreation and commercial uses that have been nurtured and expanded through this sensitive upgrade.
