Cricket clubhouse celebrates community design brick by brick

The former clubhouse (now demolished), a modest 1970s brick building with a couple of attached steel awnings, was not only underwhelming but also didn’t celebrate the importance of cricket, particularly in this culturally diverse community which includes a large percentage of residents with Indian and Pakistani backgrounds, who literally worship cricket.

The former building, also adjacent to the Pearce Reserve Oval was essentially just a toilet block with a small amount of storage.

While the architects were keen to create something heroic, the brief included providing a clubhouse, separate change facilities for both home and away teams, together with a level of flexibility that would enable these pavilions to be used in a variety of ways – partially closed or, alternatively, fully expanded to allow for community activities and social functions.

Hence, some doors can be locked and steel screens can be used to close down a pavilion should it not be required.

The ‘hit-and-miss’ brickwork also provides ventilation, diffuses light and creates privacy for those using the changerooms.

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Although the two pavilions have different functions – one is essentially a changing area with amenities, the other a clubhouse with a kitchen and bathrooms – there’s a common thread in the form of two sculptural buildings that use highlight windows to channel light into the core.

And for those who want something more than a cricket stand, there’s a generous function room that beautifully frames the views over the cricket pitch.

Trestle-style tables and timber benches can be easily moved into storage if a stand-up event is required and high-density rubber floors allow for tough treatment.

“Cricketers come in with their spiked shoes so the floor had to be as robust as possible,” says Lewis.

While there are handrails to reach the oval, the broad cascading steps allow these to be kept to a minimum and also doubling for seating.

The large bi-fold doors from the clubhouse to the terrace also enable functions to spill out to the terrace, with the space between the two pavilions which cannot be built on, used for sausage sizzles.