recycled oyster shells form besley & spresser’s pavilion in sydney

Besley & Spresser unveils sculptural structure on Sydney Harbor

The Pier Pavilion, a permanent civic landmark designed by Besley & Spresser, made almost entirely from a bespoke terrazzo embedded with recycled rock oyster shells, opens on Sydney Harbor. The project, completed in 2025 after winning a national design competition in 2020, is the latest addition to the ongoing regeneration of the harbor along its western edge. Anchoring the pavilion, a freestanding timber volume accommodates a bar, storage, and service functions for events, while the rest of the space remains flexible for public use, whether for gatherings, performances, or simply pausing by the water. ‘We wanted the pavilion to have a distinctly civic feel; all are welcome here,’ says Peter Besley.

The sculptural structure draws on the layered identity of the site, where land, sea, and sky meet. Its plan takes cues from the distinctive coves and peninsulas of the harbor, unfolding as a series of open and enclosed spaces framed by a double colonnade. Eighty-six slender, moment-resisting columns hold up a landscape roof planted with native species, sandstone, and hollow logs to attract birds and insects. A circular oculus punctures the roof, allowing daylight and weather to pass through, projecting a shifting circle of light that moves across the terrazzo floor. The Pier Pavilion’s custom oyster terrazzo is crafted from recycled aggregates and thousands of reclaimed Sydney rock oyster shells.

all images by Rory Gardiner, unless stated otherwise

Oyster shells find new life as the pier pavilion’s defining material

The defining material of Pier Pavilion, oyster terrazzo, was developed specifically for the pavilion in collaboration with Terrazzo Australian Marble. Over a year of experimentation led to a mix combining whole Sydney rock oyster shells with various recycled aggregates. When polished, the terrazzo shows the detailed patterns of the shells, connecting the building to the area’s coastal environment and ancient oyster reefs. Nearly half a million shells, otherwise destined for landfill, were reused in the process. ‘The Pavilion references human gathering by the sea through its use of recycled Sydney Rock Oyster shells,’ explains the co-director of the Australian practice, Jessica Spresser. ‘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.’

Besley & Spresser completes the Pier Pavilion in Sydney

turning structure into landscape

Structurally, Besley & Spresser’s pavilion achieves a long free span by concentrating its load at the perimeter, leaving the central space open and uninterrupted. The terrazzo is hung in panels from the ceiling, columns, and fascia in the manner of stone cladding, while the folded timber deck of the roof mirrors the geometry of surrounding headlands.

Selected through a design competition by Infrastructure NSW, the Pier Pavilion reflects the agency’s brief for a civic space that feels both monumental and welcoming. ‘Besley & Spresser’s design celebrates the defining elements of the site—land, sky, and sea—while creating a prominent visual landmark,’ the client notes. ‘The result is a stunning public space where people can shelter, meet, gather, and relax by the water.’

made almost entirely from a bespoke terrazzo embedded with recycled rock oyster shells

the latest addition to the ongoing regeneration of the harbor along its western edge