Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club Inc
Karekare, Auckland
March 2020 – June 2021
The Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club sits back from the waves of this popular West Coast beach, nestled between the Karekare Stream and the monolithic rock face of the Watchman headland.
The isolated location, which was accessible only via a walking track beside the stream, required an innovative approach. Site access was accomplished by building a haul road with three temporary bridges spanning the stream. A power upgrade was required for the new building, and due to the rugged terrain a helicopter was used to install the new power poles.
The old clubhouse had experienced frequent flooding from the Karekare Stream, so the new building’s foundations were raised by a metre. With the original building demolished, we drilled steel rods six metres into the sand to stabilise the dunes before building a temporary timber retaining wall that allowed us to construct a six-metre-high block retaining wall to the rear of the site.
The basement level of the three-level building is constructed from dark grey masonry blocks manufactured in Ashburton, along with locally sourced concrete. The walls above the basement are timber-framed, with an external cladding of stained cedar. The basement serves as storage for vehicles and rescue boats and also houses a toilet and a fully equipped first-aid room. External stairs at either end lead up to the ground floor and into an open-plan area that includes a watch tower, committee room, kitchen and large recreational room with balconies on both sides. On the top floor are five bunkrooms and seven separate tiled bathrooms, each with its own shower, toilet and washbasin.
Our team liaised constantly with club members and the local community throughout the build, prioritising clear and open communication to drive engagement and minimise disruption.
Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club Inc
Karekare, Auckland
March 2020 – June 2021
The Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club sits back from the waves of this popular West Coast beach, nestled between the Karekare Stream and the monolithic rock face of the Watchman headland.
The isolated location, which was accessible only via a walking track beside the stream, required an innovative approach. Site access was accomplished by building a haul road with three temporary bridges spanning the stream. A power upgrade was required for the new building, and due to the rugged terrain a helicopter was used to install the new power poles.
The old clubhouse had experienced frequent flooding from the Karekare Stream, so the new building’s foundations were raised by a metre. With the original building demolished, we drilled steel rods six metres into the sand to stabilise the dunes before building a temporary timber retaining wall that allowed us to construct a six-metre-high block retaining wall to the rear of the site.
The basement level of the three-level building is constructed from dark grey masonry blocks manufactured in Ashburton, along with locally sourced concrete. The walls above the basement are timber-framed, with an external cladding of stained cedar. The basement serves as storage for vehicles and rescue boats and also houses a toilet and a fully equipped first-aid room. External stairs at either end lead up to the ground floor and into an open-plan area that includes a watch tower, committee room, kitchen and large recreational room with balconies on both sides. On the top floor are five bunkrooms and seven separate tiled bathrooms, each with its own shower, toilet and washbasin.
Our team liaised constantly with club members and the local community throughout the build, prioritising clear and open communication to drive engagement and minimise disruption.