why Ocean pools...

Ocean pools can be found up and down the length of New South Wales in numbers unique to Australia. Geographically they are outliers of the built environment poised at the threshold of our nation's boundary. Anchored to our iconic coastline, they facilitate intimate encounters with the landscape and reflect it's importance in our national psyche. View and explore New South Wales’ Ocean Pools at the the links below;

Ocean pools have a rich history in NSW and continue to be a focal point within local coastal communities. Many were constructed as public works projects during the depression and have created a lasting legacy with approximately 60 still actively in use today. They are largely opportunistic interventions that exploit the natural topography of the rock platform to make a protected and convenient swimming area. They often exhibit the ‘bare minimum’, dematerialising into the rock platform yet providing amenity and facilitating easy access to the ocean. 

Today, climate change poses challenges to the future management and conservation of coastlines globally. Despite being a valued part of the built environment, ocean pools will increasingly sustain damage from severe storm systems and are at risk of being inundated by rising sea levels.

Future proofing ocean pools for resilience in the face of climate change will trigger the first major works to many of these structures since they were first built. This presents the community with an opportunity to revitalise this unique type of infrastructure in a considered, vibrant and enduring way. Fundamental to this approach is to preserve the pool’s intrinsic natural character while delivering safe and robust public amenity.

‘Challenging concepts of what ocean pools should become and how this integrates with our communities, natural landscape and built environment in adaptive and resilient ways’

The research undertaken through this project equips the community with a design framework to sensitively adapt or build new ocean pools. This framework is founded on established cultural and environmental values in Australia.

Funding for this project was awarded by the Architects Registration Board NSW as part of the Byera Hadley Traveling Scholarship.