Suttons Beach Public Space project

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Artistic impressions © lahznimmo architects with Plummer & Smith.

“We wanted to create a contemporary pavilion that was responsive to its context in addition to acknowledging the history of Suttons Beach and the significant social and cultural memories it holds for the community.

Our response has been to use the new pavilion to stitch together a legible pedestrian network with enhanced accessible paths around the site and up to Marine Parade. The architecture of the pavilion through the use of a two storey colonnade, reinforces these new pathway connections, drawing park users through and around the building. 

Another key design driver was to create a diverse range of spaces for the public to gather in: from the upper rooftop deck with views over the park and bay to covered seating in the colonnade and landscape as well as in the new rotunda.

Whilst we appreciated the significance that the original art deco pavilion had for the community, we didn’t want to just replicate what was already there. Instead our design takes some clues from the original pavilions expression such as its: curved corners; strong horizontal lines and concrete roof deck and integrates these into a contemporary beach pavilion. 

The new design also includes opportunities for indoor dining and outdoor seating, enhanced public amenities, and areas that could be used for events or temporary art installations within the pavilion and its surrounds.

The heritage stairs are celebrated and highlighted with a vibrant flower bed and connect to a new generous public deck, on the upper level of the pavilion, which provides beautiful views over the park and bay.”

In November 2023, Council invited architects to put their best ideas forward for a new mixed-use facility at Suttons Beach.

The design competition involved two stages:

• Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (Tuesday 14 November - Monday 18 December 2023)
• Stage 2 - Concept Design Development (from early 2024).

Council consulted with the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) to ensure the competition process conforms with the AIA Architectural Competitions Policy and reflects industry best practice.

Council engaged CityLab as the Professional Advisor for the competition. CityLab was responsible for planning and overseeing all aspects of the competition.

To participate in the competition all competitors had to first register with CityLab. Registrations closed on 11 December 2023.

To be eligible, competitors had to include a lead architect who is registered as an architect in Queensland pursuant to the Architects Act 2002, have had a registered Australian Business Number (ABN) for no less than 5 years and be registered for GST with the Australian Taxation Office.

The shortlist

The three competitors shortlisted by the jury to progress to stage two were, in no particular order:

• Arkhefield with Besley Spresser and WILDStudio
• lahznimmo architects with Plummer & Smith
• m3architecture with Hogg & Lamb, RPS Group and Frank Turquoise. 

The jury

To deliver to the community the best concept design for the site, all submissions were assessed by a jury of qualified and experienced architectural design experts. In January 2024, Council announced the team of highly qualified Jury members included:

• Amy Degenhart, President Australian Institute of Architects, Queensland chapter
• Graham Burrows, Jackson Clements Burrows
• Leah Lang, Queensland Government Architect
• Nathalie Ward, LAT Studios
• Paul Cunningham, Client project director, City of Moreton Bay.

Read more about the design competition.

Between 11 February and 25 March 2022, Council conducted a survey and other engagements to understand how our community wanted to use Suttons Beach Park and any buildings in the future, as well as what was valued about the park.

From 21 March to 16 April 2023, Council consulted with the community on preferred building style to inform the design brief for any replacement building. Read more about the community consultation.

Demolition works are expected to be completed by mid-2024. Once complete, the public will have access to the site and interim landscaping until construction of the new pavilion commences.

Council will commence the design development phase of the project in mid-2024, working closing with the architects to refine the design. It is expected that the Development Application for the new pavilion will be submitted in late 2024.

Construction works on the new pavilion and landscaping are expected to commence mid-2025 and take approximately 12 months, pending weather, funding and unforeseeable circumstances.

Council is working closely with State and Federal Governments to secure additional funding for the project.

Why is Suttons Beach Pavilion being redeveloped?

Recent investigations confirmed the previous building reached the end of its life and that it did not comply with modern building standards. Renovation of the previous building was impractical given the significant remediation and rectification works required to meet building compliance and return it to an acceptable level of serviceability. While it was not feasible to save the existing Suttons Beach Pavilion, Council is committed to ensuring the future of the site honours its treasured past.

Read more about the project’s history.

What is the historical significance of the site?

The uses of the Suttons Beach foreshore site and the structures that have stood on it have changed dramatically over time. The original Suttons Beach Pavilion, a bathing pavilion and kiosk for beachgoers, was built in 1937 and has been altered significantly since it was built. The newer pavilion (a function centre) was constructed 20 years ago in 2002 when the site underwent its most recent redevelopment. This newer pavilion was not built by Council but was sold to Council by a previous owner in 2006. More recently, the rotunda was built in 1998 along with concrete pathways and grassed areas.

Learn more about the changing face of the Suttons Beach foreshore.

What will happen to the 1998 rotunda?

The 1998 rotunda has substantially deteriorated and has limited accessibility for the community. If retained in its current location, it would significantly constrain future park improvements. It will remain on site until construction of the new pavilion commences in mid-2025.

The reimagined rotunda in the design proposal presents a more open and accessible space that aims to provide a new gathering space for everyone.

The existing rotunda will be relocated within Suttons Beach Park. As we progress through the next design development phase, we will identify the most suitable location for the existing rotunda.

How does the new design proposal strike a balance between art deco and contemporary design?

The community consultation revealed respondents had a balanced desire for an art deco building and a more modern contemporary design better suited to the Australian climate.

The design brief for the architectural design competition was heavily informed by the feedback from the extensive community consultation.

In the winning design proposal, the architects have taken some clues from the original pavilion’s expression such as its curved corners, strong horizontal lines and concrete roof deck and integrated these into a contemporary beach pavilion.

What is the significance of the yellow fringe?

The vibrant yellow of the aluminium fringe to the colonnade and rotunda is drawn from the local native flora found in the Suttons Beach area.

In addition to the yellow fringe, the overall colour palette of the design proposal has been drawn from the geology and plant life at Suttons Beach.

How does the new design proposal cater to the local sub-tropical climate?

The design proposal was created with Moreton Bay's climate and surrounds in mind and addresses the need for shelter from the elements with:

• the design of the roof overhangs to provide shade in summer, whilst also allowing winter sun to appear throughout the seating areas
• generous undercover and shaded public areas provided on both levels of the pavilion
• shade elements that extend along the paths leading to the pavilion to provide additional shade and shelter
• the new rotunda provides partial shade
• natural shade is retained through the existing trees along the foreshore
• new trees for additional shade and amenities are proposed for the landscape spaces between the pavilion and the new rotunda as well as in the northern parkland area
• planting of new trees around the pavilion and in the northern parkland area will provide additional shelter from the elements.

The upper level hospitality space is proposed to include 1200 millimetres high glazed balustrades and sliding glazed doors to allow all-weather use of the outdoor dining areas without hindering the beautiful outlook over the bay.