The Ones I Love to Hate

My lockdown exercise has been dominated by bike rides, with the odd run up to Sublime Point and back. The Sublime track is good to get your head back into nature, but riding along the coast I can’t help but look at the local architecture.

One of my past-times has been to slowly document some of the buildings that attract my curiosity, whether in a good or bad way. They’re the ones I hate to love (because I wish I could have designed them) and the ones I love to hate (the ones that are just plain, well, crap). So, at the risk of raising the shackles of some landowners or sparking debate over what is considered ‘good design’, let’s start with the ones I love to hate.

1. Thirroul Plaza

While there has been a lot of reaction against the current plans to rebuild the site with an additional 82 apartments, I feel like the majority of us agree that the existing Plaza is outdated. The biggest issue I have with the Plaza isn’t the building itself (although it’s certainly not great), it’s the way it presents to Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Dominated by steps and ramps, with the odd untended garden in between, it just doesn’t beckon one in like the shops across the street do. These shops are level with the footpath, have awnings and animated windows full of merchandise. The Plaza is a classic case of someone designing it without that pedestrian approach in mind. Its focus is arrival by vehicle (and even that leaves a lot to be desired!).

2. The Thirroul Telstra Exchange

There’s no other word for this building except ‘eyesore’. Now, I get it – the designer’s mentality would have been, “Well, it’s just a telephone exchange, why does it have to look good?” That’s just plain ignorance. And in a world where Telstra is showing multi-million-dollar profits from all of our streaming activities, it’s a shame they can’t design something at least palatable to the street, maintain it graffiti-free and mask those awful mobile towers. While it’s not that visible due to its location behind the southbound ramp up to the railway bridge, there’s simply no excuse for this malignant tumour set upon our built environment!

3. Sea Cliff Bridge

This may come as a surprise. Don’t get me wrong, I too enjoy walking, riding and even driving across this landmark. It’s made the area famous, featuring in social media posts, great drone footage and many car ads. The sinuous curves mimicking those of the coastline, and the contrast between concrete and sandstone, does make for spectacular visuals, but if the bridge didn’t have the curves, its actual design is a fairly straightforward concrete beam bridge with a fairly awful aluminium railing to stop people falling off.

Sure, the fact that it’s perched over the ocean is a marvel in engineering and construction terms. But let’s say we compare it to the Stanwell railway viaduct (no less an engineering feat!) with its monumental arches, its broad curve across the valley and its respectable but not over the top brick detailing – design wise, I think it’s a superior bridge. And don’t get me started on all the other marvellous bridges from around the world.

I just think that given its remarkable location, that a bit more effort could have been made for the Sea Cliff Bridge. A separate bike lane would have been good!

Next month: Ben reveals the Ones he Hates to Love