Pattern Studio Restaurant Built for Hundred-Year Happiness

Per Cent’Anni — a phrase meaning “a hundred years of happiness” — now anchors a new chapter at the Whale Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Pattern Studio’s Moby Digg restaurant, part of a partnership with Merci Group, has transformed the historic site into a lively space. The venue blends modern aesthetics with the club’s heritage, creating a unique atmosphere for visitors. The project is part of a broader trend in Australia where cultural institutions are reimagined as multifunctional hubs, balancing historical significance with contemporary relevance.

The project addresses the tension between preserving tradition and adopting contemporary design. Pattern Studio’s approach focuses on using local materials and sustainable practices, ensuring the space honors the club’s legacy while appealing to modern tastes. The design team emphasized natural light and open layouts, supporting a welcoming environment that connects with the coastal setting. A key factor in the project’s success was the 20-year lease agreement secured by Merci Group, which allowed the team to design with a long-term vision rather than a short-term fix. This extended timeline enabled the integration of durable, high-quality materials and construction methods that ensure the space remains functional and aesthetically coherent for decades.

Materials such as reclaimed wood and locally sourced stone dominate the interior. The color palette draws inspiration from the ocean, with shades of blue and white complemented by warm accents. Each element, from the flooring to the lighting fixtures, reflects a commitment to quality and durability, ensuring the space remains functional for years to come. Upstairs, the 60-seat Moby’s restaurant takes its material cues from Italian dolci, with glossy caramel ceilings meeting custard-cream walls. Butter-soft leather banquettes, the shade of a perfectly cooked cannoli, line the room, while espresso-toned timber joinery adds depth. Crisp stainless steel, including USM shelving at the bar, contrasts with the richness of the interior, creating a dynamic interplay of textures and finishes.

Downstairs, the area features a relaxed, informal dining section with communal tables. The layout encourages social interaction, making it ideal for gatherings. The lighting is soft and ambient, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Every detail, from the menu to the tableware, aligns with the restaurant’s theme of celebrating local culture and sustainability. The event space pulls a quieter punch, with floor-to-ceiling curtains framing a dramatic ocean reveal and a newly installed crazy paving stone floor carving out an alfresco zone at the façade. Existing timber floors were retained and refreshed, preserving the club’s original character while enhancing its functionality.

Pattern Studio’s team, led by Lily Goodwin and Josh Cain, has maintained a consistent vision throughout the project. Their efforts have resulted in a space that not only meets the club’s needs but also enhances the visitor experience. The restaurant’s design has been praised for its seamless integration of form and function, demonstrating the team’s expertise in creating meaningful spaces. The design philosophy, described by the team as a “marriage metaphor,” reflects their commitment to longevity and adaptability. As they put it: “We sought longevity; for the design response to mirror the qualities of a good marriage. Timeless, but not boring. Longstanding, without losing its spark.”

The transformation has been a collaborative effort, with input from the club’s members and the local community. The result is a venue that feels both familiar and innovative, reflecting the club’s identity while adopting modernity. The project serves as a model for how historical sites can be revitalized without compromising their character, offering a blueprint for future developments in the region. The space includes subtle nods to Italian design traditions, such as a custom tiled floor mixing scale, format, and marble varietal, which quietly references the exquisite patterned floors found across Italy. Decorative lighting, including a Lamp Elettra Murano Glass by Gramigna for Artemide at the host stand and a Sciolari Brutalist Cubic Chandelier over the round dining tables, punctuates the room’s rectilinear rhythm, acting as natural wayfinding cues.