The Boathouse North Wollongong

This is a space steeped in coastal history. Perched above the sand with uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean, the venue occupies the upper level of the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club, an art deco landmark whose character had gradually been stripped back over time.

In a small heritage-listed room below, an original mosaic floor remained intact, composed of burgundy, deep blue and cream tiles. That discovery became a catalyst. Rather than impose a new palette, we allowed those tones to guide the design language throughout the venue. The colours now appear subtly across umbrellas, table detailing, furniture and in the curved marmoleum floor inlay, creating a quiet dialogue between past and present.

Much of the original art deco detailing upstairs had been lost, so we reintroduced its geometry through line and form. Curved transitions, stepped profiles and squared yet softened edges carry through the bar tables, joinery and floor patterning. The ceiling treatment reinforces this rhythm, with pale timber rattan panels framed within defined borders, restoring a sense of architectural cadence overhead.

The original timber flooring in the restaurant was uncovered and revived, grounding the space in authenticity. Warm timber tables and layered seating tones build on that foundation, creating a palette that feels sun-aged rather than styled. The sports bar becomes a focal point, detailed in marble, timber panelling and glazed mosaics in sea-glass blues that echo the horizon beyond the windows.

Large glazing draws ocean light deep into the interior, dissolving the boundary between beach and dining room. Woven textures, layered greenery and custom detailing soften the structure, allowing the space to feel relaxed yet considered.

The result is a coastal venue that feels anchored in its own story. Contemporary, but shaped by memory. Refined, yet entirely at ease with the rhythm of the sea.

Interior Design: La Vaur Studio 

Builder: A&A Building Services