The design of the shelters needed to reflect the premium nature of the overall Bokarina beach development, while also being cost effective to deliver and easy to maintain.

A modular design was chosen as a result with a high raked roof and cantilevered awnings to maximise both shade and air flow.

Other challenges included accommodating a non-corrosive connection to the ground for maintenance purposes, and ensuring there was no access from the landscaped level behind the shelters to the roofs.

Concealing the roof and soffit into the depth of the side portal frame was far from straightforward. Considerable time was also spent ensuring suitable drainage was installed for each of the shelter roofs, with the region subject to storms and heavy rainfall in the warmer months.

Fleetwood delivered a marine-grade stainless steel connection between the shelter posts and the ground. It was a vital innovation given the harsh conditions experienced on the coastal site, helping to guard against corrosion and allow the Council to easily carry out future maintenance.

• High raked roofs
• Steel painted in coastal spec protective coating
• Hardwood embellishments in the posts, portal frames and soffit
• Cantilevered awning

Careful consideration needed to be given to the height of the awning so it provided protection without becoming a climbing hazard. The overhang of the roofline at the back of the shelters was also reduced to prevent climbing access from the surrounding landscaping.

Identifying the most suitable connection plates (to the ground plane) was an important consideration to maximise the longevity of the shelter structures. All timber was sourced from sustainably grown Australian forests, while protective coatings were chosen to prevent rust and contamination degrading the steel framework.