Insulation was an important design consideration during the redevelopment of the Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club to ensure long-term weather protection for the building.
Located in Portsea, VIC, the club was established in 1949 on the beaches of Mt Levy Beach, just 200 metres off the coastline. The original clubhouse was constructed from packing crate, which meant that the constant exposure to harsh storms and aging led to the building requiring a number of renovations and restorations over the years.
With improved access to the Point Nepean National Park, there was a steady increase of visitors to the area, leading to calls for further upgrades to the clubhouse. This resulted in a fundraising initiative, which helped the club raise $7 million to finance and complete the project.
The overall design of the new clubhouse was led by Portsea club members and architects, Jacinda and Jim Sadler of J W Sadler Architects. The building design is a collaboration involving a number of architects and designers: Award winning designers Carr Design Group conceptualised the external façade of the building, and Bruce Henderson Architects developed the internal design.
The stunning modern form of the finished building continues to pay tribute to its heritage with the open layout remaining largely unchanged from the original building. Constructed with rough form concrete and timber framing, the clubhouse features cladding designed to blend naturally with the surrounding landscape.
With the clubhouse situated in what could be described as one of the harshest climates in Australia, insulation in the building was an important design consideration. Kingspan’s Kooltherm K3 Floorboard rigid board insulation was installed in the suspended concrete floor slab, supporting the clubhouse offices above.
“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,” commented Kingspan Insulation technical services manager, Killian Smith.
