In 2024, fjcstudio won the World Architecture Festival (WAF) World Building of the Year award for Darlington Public School, becoming the first practice to receive the honor twice, following their 2013 win for the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Located in Chippendale, Sydney, Darlington Public School integrates educational innovation, cultural heritage, and environmental sustainability with a design developed in collaboration with the local Aboriginal community.
Darlington Public School Technical Information
- Architects1-16: fjcstudio
- Location: Golden Grove Street, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Sydney, Australia
- Client: NSW Department of Education
- Completion Year: 2023
- Photographs: © Brett Boardman, © Anthony Fretwell
The project explored and extended the formal program of the client to include the views and experience of the local community and a variety of users…this generated a reading of the history of place, culture, and time.
– fjcstudio Architects
Darlington Public School Photographs
Design Approach and Architectural Innovation
fjcstudio’s approach to Darlington Public School reflects a deep understanding of contemporary educational needs and cultural narratives. At the core of the design is an adaptable spatial configuration that supports various modes of learning—active, quiet, and outdoor. The learning hubs foster collaboration and inclusivity, creating a dynamic environment tailored to diverse student needs. Large, naturally lit spaces encourage engagement and creativity, while outdoor terraces and play areas connect learners with nature, providing a balance of structure and openness.
A standout feature of the project is its integration of First Nations culture through the concept of “Connecting with Country.” This was achieved through extensive collaboration with First Nations Elders, artists, and the Aboriginal Art Group. The result is a campus that weaves Indigenous plants, art, and storytelling into its fabric. For instance, QR codes scattered throughout the site link users to stories about the land and plants, transforming the school into a living classroom. Additionally, perforated screens echoing the local casuarina trees create a visual connection to the natural surroundings.
The retention of cultural continuity is further demonstrated through the recreation of murals by Blak Douglas (Adam Hill) from the original school and the incorporation of totems by Uncle Neil (Thorne). These elements honor local traditions and enrich the educational experience, allowing students to engage with cultural narratives daily.
Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
Sustainability is at the heart of Darlington Public School’s design. The campus employs rainwater harvesting systems, natural ventilation, and energy-efficient solutions to minimize environmental impact. Sawtooth roofs, strategically angled to capture sunlight, are complemented by high-level glazing that diffuses indirect daylight throughout the interiors. Curved protective screens filter light while maintaining a connection to the outdoors.
Integrating biophilic design principles further enhances the school’s relationship with its environment. Outdoor learning terraces and garden play areas are functional and evoke traditional Indigenous learning spaces, fostering a profound connection to nature. These design choices align with fjcstudio’s commitment to creating sustainable, place-based architecture that celebrates and preserves the local ecosystem.
As a community hub, the school exemplifies how architecture can address environmental challenges while promoting cultural and educational values. The design models how educational institutions can blend innovation with ecological stewardship, benefiting both present and future generations.
Darlington Public School Architectural Impact
The WAF jury’s commendation of Darlington Public School highlights its poetic integration of topography, landscape, and cultural narratives. Paul Finch, representing the jury, noted the project’s ability to seamlessly merge form, materiality, and environment into an “unexpectedly delightful” composition. This praise underscores the school’s success in addressing historical and cultural differences through architecture, providing a vision for reconciliation and a brighter future.
As a model for future educational spaces, Darlington Public School sets a new standard for the field. Its thoughtful incorporation of Indigenous heritage and sustainable practices positions it as a worldwide benchmark for architects and educators. By blending cultural sensitivity, innovative design, and environmental consciousness, the project challenges conventional notions of school architecture.
Darlington Public School Plans
Darlington Public School Image Gallery
About fjcstudio
fjcstudio is a multidisciplinary design studio renowned for its commitment to design excellence, innovation, sustainability, reconciliation, and enhancing the public domain. Integrating architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, and placemaking, the studio has delivered internationally acclaimed projects recognized with awards such as the WAF World Building of the Year, the AIA Jørn Utzon Award, the RIBA International Award, and the International Public Library of the Year. Rooted in a deep understanding of place and culture, fjcstudio collaborates openly with communities and First Nations partners while driving industry innovation, affordability, and value. With studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the UK, their diverse and inclusive team continues to shape meaningful projects embraced by local and global communities alike.
Credits and Additional Notes
- Design Team: Richard Francis-Jones, Elizabeth Carpenter, Jason Searl, Marika Haromo, Kathryn Aldover, Thevaki Sivasubramaniam, Mona Mengpa Zhang, Richard Tripolone, Jen Brandwood, Natalie McEvoy, Prachi Chauhan, Brooke Matthews, Chad Dao, Margaret Metchev, Max Jefferys, Ileana Lanfranco, Maria Martinez, Myrrhine Fabricius
- Builder: AW Edwards Pty Ltd
- Construction Management: Mace
- Planning Consultant: Ethos Urban
- Structural Engineers: Meinhardt-Bonacci
- Building Services Engineers: Umow Lai
- Acoustic Engineers: Acoustic Logic, Pulse Acoustics
- Fire Engineers: Warrington Fire
- Heritage Consultants: GML Heritage
- Surveyors: CMS Surveyors
- Landscape Architects: Jones & Jones
- Urban Designers: Stantec
- Sustainability Consultant: Integral Group
- Educational Consultants: New Learning Environments
- Signage: AW Signs
- Cost Consultants: Donald Cant Watts Corke
