Bondi Pavilion Restoration and Conservation

Major conservation and restoration work on Bondi Pavilion in Sydney has ensured that it remains true to its rich history and character as a beloved heritage landmark.

ARCHITECT - Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
PHOTOGRAPHY - Brett Boardman Photography

The Bondi Pavilion (Pavilion) has transformed from an outdated heritage landmark to a repurposed space that celebrates the heart of Bondi’s culture and community.

Decades of harsh beachside climate meant the almost 100-year-old Pavilion was due for a revamp. Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (TZG) aimed to protect the Pavilion’s history while also giving locals and visitors a contemporary space that served as an ‘unofficial town hall’.

As the services engineer, WSP provided Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulics, Fire Protection, Fire Engineering, Civil Engineering, Security Services, AV Services, ICT and Wastewater services for the restoration and conservation of the Pavilion’s with its' internal courtyard spaces. Where the dressing sheds had been located for many decades, the space was landscaped and repurposed.

The removal of the courtyard’s old amphitheatre has created a 2667m² courtyard large enough for 2000 people. It is now called the Garu and Guya Courtyard, using the local Dharawal name for northern and southern.

Apart from upgrading amenities within the building, our design work included rejuvenating the building internally including new air conditioning and ventilation systems, new smoke control for the theatre, new power provisions, fire safety systems, lighting, and landscape. We also hosted community workshops and carried out a Security Risk Assessment.

The refurbished space now offers numerous public facilities including change rooms and toilets, a pottery studio, community theatre, music recording spaces, production theatre, art gallery and Bondi Story rooms that share stories about the building and local history.

Awards

2023 National Trust of Australia (NSW): Judges Choice, Bondi Pavilion Restoration and Conservation Project.

2023 National Trust of Australia (NSW): Conservation – Built Heritage, Highly Commended, Bondi Pavilion Restoration and Conservation Project.

2023 AIA NSW Architecture Award for Heritage – Creative Adaptation Architecture.

2023 AIA NSW Architecture Award for Public Architecture.

Top honours at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) 2023 NSW State Awards

Location

Sydney, Australia

Client

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

Project value

$48 million

Project status

Complete

Protecting heritage

The Bondi Pavilion is located on Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach and dates back to 1928. Formerly known as the ‘playground of the Pacific’, the Pavilion once held Turkish baths and a ballroom. During World War II, the top floor served as an officer’s club for the American Red Cross.

WSP has vast experience working with heritage buildings. The team understood the need for the concept design of the Pavilion upgrade and conservation to be sensitive towards the heritage character of the park, pavilion, and beach. As such, many features from the past were preserved and promoted, including the frescoes in the former ballroom (now a theatre), and an Aboriginal floor mosaic that was a gift from the people of Arnhem Land.

Old treasures were uncovered, including original 1930s murals that have been restored and incorporated into the new space. The renovation has also restored heritage-listed views that run north to south and east to west.

Designed for community

WSP had a dedicated and experienced local team who understood the importance of ‘The Pav’ as an iconic Australian site that plays an integral part of the local community’s identity.

With a new grand entrance to the north and additional east-west connections through the Pavilion, the design focussed on providing a better connection from Campbell Parade to Bondi Beach to strengthen the relationship with its parkland setting,

The Pavilion also serves local residents and visitors in a sustained and multi-purposeful way. 217 solar panels supply 71 per cent of the building’s energy needs, with the development achieving a five-star green rating.

The project is best practice to show how an old heritage building can be repurposed for the 21st century – and have it bristling with technology yet retain its essence as a heritage masterpiece.