SERGEANT MESS
Over recent years a number of surplus military sites on Sydney Harbour have been returned to public use in the form of recreational facilities. Chowder Bay in Middle Head, Sydney is one such site.
A series of utilitarian blonde brick buildings built in the 1960’s line the shore. The largest of these buildings was the former Sergeant’s Mess which has been revitalized as a function center catering for conferences, seminars and weddings.
While the views from the building over the harbour are commanding, the view of the building from the harbour is an eyesore, with its blonde brick facade highly prominent against the bushland site.
To transform the image of the building the military technique of camouflage was considered. An image of the bushland surrounding the site was taken and sized to the proportion of the building. The image was then pixelated and transferred to the building elevations creating a subtle pattern over the facade, helping the building recede into the landscape.
Location: Chowder Bay, Mosman NSW, Australia
Date: 2009
Design Team: Thierry Lacoste, David Stevenson, Chloe Lanser, Sasha Jovanovic, Alicia Bayl, Adam Grasso, Djibraan Hossen, Louise Parsonage, Bart Dewilde
Interior architect: Spangenberg + Park
Contractor: Kane Constructions
Photography / images: Lacoste+Stevenson Architects
Over recent years a number of surplus military sites on Sydney Harbour have been returned to public use in the form of recreational facilities. Chowder Bay in Middle Head, Sydney is one such site.
A series of utilitarian blonde brick buildings built in the 1960’s line the shore. The largest of these buildings was the former Sergeant’s Mess which has been revitalized as a function center catering for conferences, seminars and weddings.
While the views from the building over the harbour are commanding, the view of the building from the harbour is an eyesore, with its blonde brick facade highly prominent against the bushland site.
To transform the image of the building the military technique of camouflage was considered. An image of the bushland surrounding the site was taken and sized to the proportion of the building. The image was then pixelated and transferred to the building elevations creating a subtle pattern over the facade, helping the building recede into the landscape.
Location: Chowder Bay, Mosman NSW, Australia
Date: 2009
Design Team: Thierry Lacoste, David Stevenson, Chloe Lanser, Sasha Jovanovic, Alicia Bayl, Adam Grasso, Djibraan Hossen, Louise Parsonage, Bart Dewilde
Interior architect: Spangenberg + Park
Contractor: Kane Constructions
Photography / images: Lacoste+Stevenson Architects
Over recent years a number of surplus military sites on Sydney Harbour have been returned to public use in the form of recreational facilities. Chowder Bay in Middle Head, Sydney is one such site.
A series of utilitarian blonde brick buildings built in the 1960’s line the shore. The largest of these buildings was the former Sergeant’s Mess which has been revitalized as a function center catering for conferences, seminars and weddings.
While the views from the building over the harbour are commanding, the view of the building from the harbour is an eyesore, with its blonde brick facade highly prominent against the bushland site.
To transform the image of the building the military technique of camouflage was considered. An image of the bushland surrounding the site was taken and sized to the proportion of the building. The image was then pixelated and transferred to the building elevations creating a subtle pattern over the facade, helping the building recede into the landscape.
Location: Chowder Bay, Mosman NSW, Australia
Date: 2009
Design Team: Thierry Lacoste, David Stevenson, Chloe Lanser, Sasha Jovanovic, Alicia Bayl, Adam Grasso, Djibraan Hossen, Louise Parsonage, Bart Dewilde
Interior architect: Spangenberg + Park
Contractor: Kane Constructions
Photography / images: Lacoste+Stevenson Architects