as part of an international competition to design a new jetty for st. kilda beach in melbourne, australia, JJs arquitectura has been awarded 1st prize with their proposal ‘the wave’. inspired by the fluid geometries of the coast, the structure aims to reinstate brookes jetty as a significant civic space while bringing new vitality to the site.
all images courtesy of JJs arquitectura
st. kilda beach was once home to distinctive swimming-friendly structures such as sea baths and jetties. the last of these, the eccentric little brookes jetty, was demolished in 2015 despite community protest. supported by the city of port phillip, local citizens and business groups, a design ideas competition for a replacement jetty was inaugurated in 2019. the $5000 leighton prize drew a remarkable 106 entries from australia and internationally. state architect jill garner awarded 1st prize to joao sousa and joana silva of porto-based JJs arquitectura for their elegant blade-shaped jetty.
JJs arquitectura’s proposal aims to unite recreational, cultural, economic and ecological functions within a coherent composition. the scheme explores the opportunity to design a structure inspired by the fluid geometries of the coast. the new jetty operates, both visually and functionally, as a smooth transition between land and sea, a coastal formation that mediates between solid and liquid.
the structure evolves from a single walkway into an aquatic plaza that reactivates its civic function and creates new opportunities for leisure, sports and recreation. the overall design is informed by the marine environment, evoking the organic shapes of waves, fishes or boat keels. conceptually, the design proposes to capture an incoming wave, frozen in time and crystalized into a gentle topography.
the wave stands as an expressive juxtaposition of curved slabs, and activates a two-sided amphitheater. the slabs are aligned with the north-south axis, emphasizing the relationship with the rising sun (over st. kilda beach) and setting sun (over port phillip bay). sloped structure protects visitors from the dominant winds, providing the perfect place to enjoy the sea.
project info:
project name: the wave
type: jetty design
status: awarded 1st prize in the leighton prize – brookes jetty design competition
location: st. kilda beach, melbourne, australia
architect: JJs arquitectura – joão araújo sousa & joana correia silva
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lynne myers | designboom
