The drawing of an axis from the Southport Surf Life Saving Club to the Point Danger Lookout connects the development of the new clubhouse to the whole locality of the Gold Coast. The visual connection from the one end of the gold coast to the other translates into an overall masterplan for the Main Beach/Hollingdale Parklands beachfront. This translation comes from the establishment of a pedestrian accessway in parallel to the greater axis.

The created pedestrian accessway provides a spine which connects the three components - the new clubhouse, heritage bathing pavilion and the existing surf club - of the Southport SLSC. Perpendicular pathways allows for the greater connectivity between the surf club's buildings and the beach as well as extending through to Macarthur Parade and the neighbouring residential properties. The accessway also provides a more cohesive link between the Hollingdale Parklands and the beach through the new clubhouse.

The new clubhouse straddles the main axis and creates a threshold between the parklands and the beach. Toward the rear of the building, the two parts on either side of the accessway split open to create a central courtyard space. This space allows for maximum light gains in the interior spaces and regulates the overall internal climatic condition of the surf club. It, in turn acts as a transitional space in which the parklands meet the building and further promotes the idea of the building as a threshold between the park and the beach.

The planning of the clubhouse's internal spaces sees services - such as the kitchen and bathroom spaces - placed into a consolidated strip on the north-west side of the building. In front of this strip - facing south and the beach - is the Member's Bar and dining area. This space extends on an adjacent terrace which forms part of the pedestrian accessway. This area is populated mainly during the summer months and thus takes full advantage of the beach view and access as well as the southern, summer sun. To the east are the function and training spaces. These rooms open onto verandahs on the building's northern side. The lower level function space also extends from this verandah space into the building's courtyard and on further to the Hollingdale Parklands. These areas are populated year-round and overall spatial flexibility allows for a variety of uses.

In terms of materiality the building uses reinforced concrete and concrete masonry in the semi-submerged lower ground level. From here, a number of masonry walls continue up into the rest of the surf club with steel used for the rest of the building's structure. Timber is then used as a decorative finish forming the screening elements that make up a large proportion of the building's façade.