Caves Beachside by HBO+EMTB for Cebac Pty Ltd
Caves Beachside is a modern interpretation of the traditional beach house which embraced a relaxed lifestyle through flexible open plans and structure that responds well to the harsh seaside environment through low maintenance, naturally weathering materials and rich, simple but strong repetitive forms.
The new Beach Hotel, function centre and Bistro/Restaurant (Stage 1) is located on the south east corner of the site and commands extensive views over ocean and headland. The building is a series of single storey linked pavilions over basement car park.
Each steel framed, essentially glass edged pavilion with corrugated Colorbond steel pitched roof is expressive of the activities within. This rhythmic envelope with low linking elements creates a light spatial character that is constantly referencing the extraordinary ocean and headland views.
The simple forms provide easily understood plan orientation for visitors and a residential external scale appropriate for the Caves Beach context.
Extensive use of natural light, cross ventilation, rainwater recycling and recyclable materials provides a sustainable building response with a predominantly ‘outdoor’ character.
Stage 2 of Caves Beachside is the series of small footprint Beach Suite cabins for short stay visitors. They are manufactured off site and located on the wetland boardwalk in an almost random pattern that gives privacy and a unique viewing position of the beach and ocean. The wetland collects and filters storm water and runoff through reed and gravel systems over three levels. This renewed landscape is already providing a new asset for native birdlife, sustainable water management and recycling and the community.
Judges Comments
The submission of Caves Beachside is for Stage 1 & 2 of the master plan immediately adjacent to the beach front dune reserve.
The development has contributed significantly to the social and economic infrastructure of the Lake Macquarie region and comprises Caves Beachside Hotel and 18 Beach Suites. It has created a quality recreational meeting place, as well as a new tourist market for the region.
The hotel is a series of single storey linked pavilions of light, white steel frames, glass and corrugated Colorbond steel pitched roof over a car park with residential scale appropriate to the context and casual beach house ‘feel’. It houses a hotel, function centre and Bistro/Restaurant.
The Beach Suites are a series of small footprint cabins for short stay visitors. They were manufactured off site, but within the district, and located on the wetland boardwalk in an almost random pattern with views over the wetlands, dunes, beach and ocean.
The renewed landscaping of the wetlands supports the collection and filtering of storm water and runoff and provides an enhanced asset for native bird life.