A striking new civic landmark has opened on Sydney Harbor, featuring an innovative construction material made almost entirely from recycled oyster shells. The Pier Pavilion, designed by architectural firm Besley & Spresser, represents the latest addition to the ongoing waterfront regeneration project along the harbor's western edge. The permanent structure, completed in 2025 after the architects won a national design competition in 2020, showcases a custom terrazzo material embedded with thousands of reclaimed Sydney rock oyster shells.
The pavilion's design draws inspiration from the layered identity of its waterfront location, where land, sea, and sky converge. Its floor plan takes cues from the distinctive coves and peninsulas that characterize Sydney Harbor, creating a series of open and enclosed spaces framed by an elegant double colonnade. The structure features 86 slender, moment-resisting columns that support a unique landscape roof planted with native species, sandstone, and hollow logs specifically designed to attract local birds and insects.
A circular opening punctures the roof, allowing natural daylight and weather to filter through while projecting a shifting circle of light that moves across the terrazzo floor throughout the day. The pavilion includes a freestanding timber volume that houses a bar, storage areas, and service functions for events, while the remaining space stays flexible for various public uses including gatherings, performances, or simply providing a place for people to pause and enjoy the waterfront.
"We wanted the pavilion to have a distinctly civic feel; all are welcome here," explains Peter Besley, co-director of the architectural practice. The defining material of the Pier Pavilion represents a year-long collaboration with Terrazzo Australian Marble to develop the custom oyster terrazzo. The innovative mixture combines whole Sydney rock oyster shells with various recycled aggregates, and when polished, reveals the detailed patterns of the shells, creating a direct connection between the building and the area's coastal environment and ancient oyster reefs.
The environmental impact of the project is significant, with nearly half a million oyster shells that would otherwise have been sent to landfill finding new life in the construction. "The Pavilion references human gathering by the sea through its use of recycled Sydney Rock Oyster shells," explains Jessica Spresser, co-director of the practice. "We wanted to pay respect to the long history of oyster feasting in the area, and to celebrate the use of a unique material in the public realm."
Structurally, the pavilion achieves impressive long free spans by concentrating the building's load at the perimeter, leaving the central space completely open and uninterrupted. The terrazzo material is hung in panels from the ceiling, columns, and fascia in the manner of traditional stone cladding, while the folded timber deck of the roof mirrors the geometric patterns found in the surrounding headlands.
Selected through a competitive design process by Infrastructure NSW, the Pier Pavilion fulfills the agency's vision for a civic space that feels both monumental and welcoming to the public. "Besley & Spresser's design celebrates the defining elements of the site—land, sky, and sea—while creating a prominent visual landmark," notes the client. The completed project provides Sydney residents and visitors with a stunning new public space where people can shelter from the elements, meet with friends, gather for events, and relax while enjoying views of the iconic harbor.
