An Art Deco Building Becomes The Beach House

Studio Esteta celebrated the site, context and history of the heritage building to create a light and airy hospitality venue that serves as a community hub

Eastern Beach in Geelong, Victoria, has long been a popular destination for pleasure-seeking Australians. Developed in 1927, the boardwalk, kiosk, bathers pavilion, dive tower and swimming enclosure were built in the art deco style and have been refreshed and revitalised over recent decades. In 2018, The Mulberry Group engaged Studio Esteta to restore and transform the red-brick bathers pavilion into a light and airy hospitality venue. Now known as The Beach House, it’s a relaxed and inviting space that has become a community hub. ‘The design celebrates the site, its context and history,’ says Felicity Slattery, co-director of Studio Esteta. 

Adhering to strict heritage guidelines, Slattery and her co-founder Sarah Cosentino minimised work on the exterior of the building, refreshing it with a fresh coat of paint and a pergola above the outdoor dining area. The existing interior was dark and disjointed, so Studio Esteta improved the connection between inside and outside, and the kitchen, kiosk and dining space, to create an open, free-flowing space with more natural light. 

The furniture layout fosters different atmospheres throughout the dining area. Banquettes and communal tables are positioned in the hustle and bustle of the main space, where diners have a view of the pool, while a lounge area in the corner offers a quieter, cosier space, surrounded by a backdrop of soft linen curtains. The first floor is now a versatile space reserved for functions, events and yoga classes. 

Inspired by the landscape, the light and natural material palette includes sandstone, travertine, rattan and timber. ‘It was important for the materiality to relate to the rural and coastal context of the building, with colours and textures referencing the peninsula and surrounding farmland,’ Slattery says. ‘The light-blue paint finish in the dining area draws direct inspiration from the coast, whilst the travertine reflects the surrounding craggy cliffs and golden paddocks.’ The materials are durable and unpretentious, so people feel welcome to walk in straight from the beach or pool.

The joinery emphasises the beauty of the building, while the integrated design allows for openness and freedom of movement throughout the space. A banquette seat at the rear of the dining area has shelving above and a waiter’s station behind, while an opening in the travertine-clad wall frames the theatre of the kitchen and coffee bar.

‘Rejuvenating the heritage building has given it back to the community and injected positivity into the area. It’s a beautiful building that will now be enjoyed for a long time to come,’ Slattery says.

Words / Rebecca Gross
Images / Sean Fennessy