Piha community members had a chance on Sunday afternoon (3 August 2014) to see plans for a new expanded frontage for the Piha SLSC clubhouse. On hand to explain were club president Peter Brown, project manager Warren Smith, and architect Brent Hulena.
Called Project 80 as the club is in its 80th year, the expansion achieves a number of benefits:
- the operations room is moved forward and up so the whole beach area can be surveyed above the dunes
- the entrance for club operations is separated from the “public” entrance to other facilities
- a new boatshed is created at the front with boat permanently set up to enable rapid response after hours
- a new direct entrance is created to the medical room allowing rapid and private transfer for patients
- the facility can act as a community hub for Piha in any emergency.
Brent Hulena’s design aims to soften the beach facing frontage of the clubhouse, with a beachy, boatshed feel. A new gabled deck off the front of the restaurant/bar area has louvres, and he has aimed to break up the faces of the building to enable it to blend better into its surrounding natural environment.
A key feature is the lookout tower, which is reminiscent of the original 1935 clubhouse design.
The club is interested in community feedback, and is working with the Auckland Council to ensure the design can be consented. The club needs to raise funds for the redesign with a current budget of $1.1 million. The club would like to start building, this time next year.
Below are the designs for the expanded clubhouse.