Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club in Victoria

Present on the Beaches of Mt Levy Beach

This lifesaving club is situated in one of the harshest climates in Australia; Kingspan’s insulation is installed in the suspended concrete floor slab, supporting clubhouse offices above and providing thermal performance.

Sector: Community & Heritage
Location: Portsea, VIC
Architect: JW Sadler Architects, Bruce He
Products: Kooltherm K3 Underfloor Board

The Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club has been present on the beaches of Mt Levy Beach (or Port Sea Back Beach, as it is known to the locals) since its establishment in 1949. 

Constructed from packing crate, the original clubhouse of the Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club was located just 200 meters off the coast line. Over time however, harsh storms and aging have resulted in the clubhouse requiring a number of renovations and restorations. An increase in access to the Point Nepean National Park has seen a steady increase of visitors to the area calling for further upgrades to the clubhouses.

In efforts to implement the needed upgrades, the club developed a fundraising initiative for a new redevelopment project. Largely comprised of volunteer donations, the club raised over $7 million in funds to complete the project.

The overall design of the new clubhouse has been led by Portsea club members and architects, Jacinda and Jim Sadler of J W Sadler Architects, who have been involved in the project since its inception.

The building design is a collaboration of work executed by a number of architects and designers. Award winning designers Carr Design Group developed the concept for the external façade of the building, and Bruce Henderson Architects developed the internal design.

The finished building has a stunning modern form that holds true to its heritage, with its open layout remaining largely unchanged from the original building.

The clubhouse is constructed with rough form concrete and timber framing and cladding designed to blend naturally with its surrounding environment, so as to not take away from the stunning natural landscape that surrounds it.

Situated in what could be named one of the harshest climates in Australia, insulation in the building was an important design consideration. Kingspan’s Kooltherm K3 Underfloor Board rigid board insulation was installed in the suspended concrete floor slab, supporting clubhouse offices above.

“Being located directly on the coast, the building is often subject to extreme elements throughout the changing seasons. The application of Kooltherm K3 Floorboard in a suspended floor slab allowed for the insulation to be protected by these elements”, commented Kingspan Technical Services Manager, Killian Smith.

“Using underfloor rigid board insulation is the easiest way to increase the energy rating of your building and should be considered for all the new builds”, concluded Smith.

The benefits of the new clubhouses have been realised with the development of the surf lifesaving club and training facility projected for the future. Volunteer lifesavers from the club patrol the notoriously dangerous stretch of beach in Point Nepean National Park through its peak season from December through to Easter each year.

The club has already seen over 1,500 members achieve their Surf Lifesaving Bronze Medallion and this number is only expected to rise as a result of the upgrades. The building has been designed with the future in mind and has given the locals a new hub for their much-loved surf lifesaving club and community.

Featured Products

Kooltherm K3 Underfloor Board
Underfloor insulation suitable for use under concrete slab on ground