Overview
The Bondi Surf Pavilion, the largest surf pavilion built in Sydney, was constructed in 1928–29 and reflected the then fashionable styles of Interwar Mediterranean and Georgian Revival.
In 1975, after decades of marine winds and changing community needs, the deteriorating Palm Court Ballroom was converted to the Bondi Pavilion Theatre for parties, film festivals, plays, and community events. In 1995 it was included as a heritage site in Waverley’s Local Environmental Plan.
In 2022 Architects TZG completed a 7 year major restoration of the Pavilion for Waverley Council, for which ICS provided conservation services.
ICS conserved the historic signs and murals, including the famous Bondi the Beautiful located in the courtyard, The Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths and the Bondi Junior Lifesaving Club (Life Boys), as well as remnants of the entry signs on the beachfront and heritage tiles. Originally there was one mural in the Bondi Pavilion theatre requiring conservation. In the course of the 2020-2022 restoration, ICS discovered a further two murals in the old ballroom. All three old ballroom murals have now been lovingly restored.
Year
2021-2022
Client
Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
Services
- Paintings conservation
- Mural conservation
- Built heritage conservation
Awards
2023 Judges’ Choice Award
Condition
The three Theatre (former ballroom) murals and the Bondi the Beautiful courtyard murals were in poor condition, with major losses, significant flaking paints as well as graffiti, algae, and other non-original material that impaired viewing of the murals. Some areas were overpainted or covered by wooden panels, which also impaired access and visibility.
The murals discovered during construction - the Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths Sign, the Bondi Junior Lifesaving Club (Life Boys) sign and the Remnant Entry Signage on the Beachfront, were also in poor condition, with significant structural losses, surface cracking and flaking of paint as well as areas that were concealed by overpaint and illegible.
Treatment
Theatre (former Ballroom) Murals
- Lifting original paint was stabilised.
- Non-original overpaint was removed and further consolidation of the original paint underneath was undertaken.
- Major areas of loss to the substrate were filled and levelled.
- Losses to the paint were colour matched and filled.
- The edges and lunettes were repainted and patinated.
Bondi the Beautiful Courtyard Mural
- General surface cleaning and algae removal was carried out.
- The lifting and flaking paint was carefully cleaned, consolidated and placed back into its original position.
- Salt deposits and graffiti were reduced with solvents.
- Losses and graffiti remnants were toned down to minimise visual impact.
Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths Sign
- Structural repairs to the arch were undertaken by a builder, with fills adjusted and levelled by ICS.
- A stencil was created, and the sign was reimposed.
Bondi Junior Lifesaving Club (Life Boys) Sign
- Unstable areas were consolidated and placed back into their original position.
- A stencil was created to reinforce the letters and gentle tone washes were used to reduce losses in the background.
Remnant Entry Signage on Beachfront
- Unstable areas were consolidated and placed back into their original position.
- Areas of overpaint were removed to reveal the original paint scheme on the signs.
- Consolidation of the original sign was undertaken to protect the surface.
Outcome
In 2023 TZG was awarded the coveted NSW National Trust Judges Choice Award for this project. ICS is proud to have played an important role in breathing new life into this heritage landmark.
Before treatment
After treatment
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