Cemintel® Barestone cladding was added to the materials palette specified for the upgrade of the Mildura Rowing Club located on the banks of the beautiful Murray River.
A hub for social and sporting activities for more than 100 years, the iconic Mildura Rowing Club was upgraded in 2017 as part of the first stage of the Mildura Rural City Council’s Riverfront Redevelopment.
For architect Andrew Nairn from Nairn Architecture, a key challenge was to soften the jarring look of the original building, which had a boxy style. He wanted to use curves and a soft design to blend the building into its waterside location.
Also looking for a natural, earthy look, he selected timber panels and Cemintel’s Barestone cladding to complement the existing materials. Consisting of 9mm prefinished compressed panels, Cemintel Barestone is a lightweight cladding system with the look of raw cement and designed for easy installation. With its rustic look, Barestone contrasted beautifully against the brick and timber already included in the materials palette.
The new building not only provides plenty of storage for boats as well as a café on the ground floor for visitors, but also includes a bar/function room and balcony on the upper floor for Mildura Rowing Club members. Andrew says the most challenging part of the project was integrating the old with the new.
Given the rich history of the club, the architect sought to create a beautiful, modern new building while keeping its integrity intact. Certain products, including Barestone, were used to modernise the building and give it a nautical feel. The curved claw-like overhang cuts through the building to separate the different aspects and also gives great sun protection. The choice of materials gives the space a lovely and inviting feel.
For the Mildura Rowing Club project, Barestone panels were used upstairs to wrap around the club rooms as well as on the columns near the café and at the back of the site. Andrew comments that the natural concrete look is really clean and smart, and the panels are very cost-effective and easy to install.
Mildura Rowing Club President, Nigel Sullivan says the new facilities have created a standout building in the area, and also present a huge opportunity to grow the club’s membership.
