Bill Duncanson came up surfing the beaches of New Jersey, working at one of the area’s core surf shops before architecture became his second passion. Over time, those two paths merged. Today, through BAR Architecture and Design, he’s carved out a unique niche designing surf lodges and surf parks by combining architectural thinking with a surfer’s understanding of how these spaces should feel and function.
In this podcast we dig into what makes a good surf park design, what makes a great one, and where some parks still fall short.
Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:
Great surf park design is about flow, not just buildings.
Bill’s main point is that successful surf parks are designed around the full customer journey: arrival, check-in, wetsuit rental, locker rooms, board access, beach entry, and food and beverage. The best parks make this feel intuitive for both experienced surfers and total beginners.
Surf parks need to balance core surfers with first-timers.
A major design challenge is serving very different users at once. Advanced surfers want speed and minimal friction, while beginners often need guidance, rentals, changing space, and a more structured experience. Good design reduces conflict between those groups.
Intimacy and atmosphere matter more than flashy architecture.
Bill repeatedly emphasizes that surf environments should feel natural, contextual, and welcoming. Whether it is a surf lodge in Indonesia or a wave pool in a city, the goal is to create a place that feels connected to surf culture and encourages communal experiences.
Bad design directly hurts revenue.
Poor design creates friction for guests, increases staffing and operating costs, and can even lead to safety issues. Bill is clear that if people do not enjoy the experience or find it inconvenient, they will not return, which hurts the bottom line.
Surf parks have a bigger mission than entertainment.
The conversation ends on a bigger idea: surf parks can introduce many more people to surfing and the life-changing experiences that come with it. That creates a responsibility to design these places thoughtfully, so newcomers have a positive first experience and want to keep surfing.
