The Summer Pavilion, Beckenham Tennis Club

MATERIALS: timber-framed construction with clay tile roofs and brick plinth.

PLAN: hexagonal in plan with canted ends to the east and west of the south elevation. Verandahs on the north, south and west elevations. 1930s extension adjoining to the east is not of special interest.

EXTERIOR: the south elevation facing the cricket pitch is of five bays; the canted corners were each originally of three bays, the eastern corner reduced to two bays by the link to the 1930s block. The elevation has three rendered gables with timber framing and bargeboards. The two gables at either end of the elevation are set at an angle. Walls are of timber-frame construction set on a brick plinth with dado height panels of vertical timber boarding. The panels at the canted corners have cross bracing. Above the panelling are triple-light windows with transoms. The centre bay consists of large glazed double doors with windows with double lights and transoms. There is a second entrance in the centre bay of the western canted corner. The verandah is supported by wooden brackets springing from moulded engaged timber columns. Additional support is provided by three metal posts (boxed in timber). These are a later addition.

The northern elevation, facing the hard courts, has two hipped-roofed pavilions forming part of what was originally a pitched-roof verandah along this elevation. These pavilions along with the verandah, perforated ridge tiles and curved finials give the tennis pavilion a somewhat oriental appearance. The eastern pavilion is now enclosed (forming the Maria Bueno Lounge) but the western is open (with a glazed screen to the west), as originally built. Either side of the eastern pavilion the verandah has also been enclosed. The section to the west, along with the eastern pavilion, has timber sash windows. At the western end of the verandah a small boarded WC has been added. Original iron rainwater goods have been replaced with plastic.

INTERIOR: long gallery on the south of the building facing the cricket pitch. To the north of this a number of rooms including kit rooms, the Maria Bueno Lounge and lobby to the 1930 pavilion have been created by the partial enclosure of the northern veranda and eastern pavilion (creating the bay window to the lounge). The lounge is divided by the original internal supports for the verandah and the original vertically panelled wall survives to either side of the opening to the gallery. This open area was originally known as the ‘Ball Room’ as there were a number of hooks mounted on the rear wall, corresponding to the number of courts, with string bags of tennis balls hanging from them. The gallery is largely unaltered apart from the insertion of a small kitchen area. On the western wall of the gallery an honours board records the players who have won both the club’s open tournament and Wimbledon.