70838

With the North Sydney Olympic Pool holding distinct heritage significance, the current redevelopment of the facility is respecting its neo-classical design elements.

While its current redevelopment has been impacted by delays and rising costs, a hardly publicised aspect of the project is how North Sydney Council is being careful not to lose the heritage elements of the iconic facility.

The North Sydney Olympic Pool holds distinct heritage significance. Not only does it sit in a prime location, between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park, but it also has a rich social history and is also architecturally interesting.

When it was built in 1936, its architects Rudder & Grout took ample inspiration from the neighbouring Harbour Bridge, as well as the interwar neo-classical, or ‘stripped classical’, design trend of the time.

Their portfolio of work in Sydney, which includes Petersham Town Hall, showcases similar architectural decisions.

Many people believe the Pool’s design is inspired by the Art Deco movement, which was a popular trend during this era.

However, Dr Mark Ian Jones, Design Historian at the University of NSW Art and Design, see that as a common misconception, explaining “Art Deco is a very broad term that encompasses a lot of styles.

“We can make the association - there are some similarities - but it’s not strictly correct. The Pool’s design is interwar neo-classical which flows on from the free-classical movement. There were no rules that the architects were following. It really was this free, quite liberating style. While there is some symmetry, the architects weren’t necessarily slavish to that. Their choices were a bit experimental, underpinned by classical design style.”

Some of the distinctive architectural elements include the heritage-listed stair tower, the classically inspired arches and the quirky aquatic-themed decorative motifs. The latter feature frogs, swordfish, pelicans and seashells made of stucco which are thoughtfully placed throughout the Pool’s building, offering a sense of playfulness and fun. They reflect the environment - a nod to the harbour and all that there is to enjoy about being by the seaside - while not going overboard with superfluity.

It's these decorative elements in particular that make a visit to the Pool such a special experience.

Explaining that’s because heritage is an important part of belonging, Dr Jones notes “it offers something comforting and familiar, reminding us of the past and more innocent times,” he explains. “There is great history in the way we design and why we design. There’s an argument that keeping part of something is worse than keeping all of it, but in this instance - with the Pool redevelopment, the decorative elements shouldn’t be superfluous in that.

“When you understand the original architects’ intention with the Pool, and the historical relationship of those elements to the other landmarks - the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park - , it would seem nonsensical to lose them. The Pool works in concert with the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park which were all 1930s builds. There’s a nice community of buildings there; they’re in conversation with each other.”

North Sydney Council historian Ian Hoskins agrees and offers a deeper perspective on the relationship between the three buildings.

Hoskins adds “you have the monolithic Bridge on one side, a serious engineering feat that showed the rest of the world just what Australia was capable of. In the middle, the Olympic Pool - about to show the world that this country, with a tiny population compared to the US, has some astonishing athletes. It marks the beginning of Australia’s sporting identity; the Golden Age of swimming is coming. Then, on the other side of the Pool, all sense of seriousness is gone with Luna Park which is the epitome of Australian larrikin culture.

“We go from the sublime to the ridiculous

“The sublime, which is the Bridge - something that overawes you and almost terrifies you with its size - to the ridiculous, which is Luna Park. And in the middle of both of those structures is the Pool. It balances the seriousness with the fun. It sums up Australia in this era.”

The Pool is expected to reopen to the public in mid-2024.

With thanks to Skye Swan, Communications Officer, North Sydney Council.

Images (from top): Heritage elements of the North Sydney Olympic Pool and (below), the Pool in operation with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. Credit: North Sydney Council.

Related Articles

23rd August 2023 - City of Sydney plans to restore and heritage list Chinatown’s Ceremonial Gates

18th August 2023 - Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Ramp to feature artwork celebrating Aboriginal Culture

14th July 2023 - Luna Park Sydney closes Wild Mouse ride for restoration

29th June 2023 - New Summit launched to tackle global challenges of culture and heritage in tourism

8th June 2023 - Maxwood Technology meets heritage needs with seat installation at Sydney Opera House’s Studio Theatre

9th May 2023 - Costs rise and delays lengthen in North Sydney Olympic Pool rebuild project

14th December 2022 - Luna Park Melbourne celebrates 110 years of history

9th November 2022 - Sydney’s Inner West pubs set to be heritage listed

1st November 2022 - North Sydney Council calls for independent review of Olympic Pool redevelopment

29th September 2022 - Significant restoration project completed on Castle Hill Heritage Park

20th September 2022 - Delays and rising costs impact North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment

15th August 2022 - Heritage-listed Grant McBride Baths receives upgrades ahead of warmer months

24th June 2022 - Grafton’s heritage venues to be showcased at Tourism Symposium

13th January 2021 - Builder appointed for North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment

11th April 2020 - Council moves forward with plans to redevelop North Sydney Olympic Pool

27th February 2020 - North Sydney Olympic Pool classed as a ‘regional facility’ when gaining Federal grant funding

2nd October 2019 - Elite cricket to remain at North Sydney Oval for next four years

27th March 2019 - North Sydney Olympic Pool refurbishment needs another $30 million

27th November 2015 - Report reveals unexpected seismic strength of Napier’s Art Deco heritage

5th August 2015 - North Sydney Council plans $190 million renewal program

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.