Sydney-based fjcstudio has achieved the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) Building of the Year award for its work on Darlington Public School. This award highlights the studio’s innovative approach to design, which intertwines sustainability, community engagement, and cultural significance.
The project was selected from 42 category winners and over 200 shortlisted entries from across the globe, underscoring its exceptional design and purpose-driven ethos.
A Repeat Honor
This marks fjcstudio’s second time receiving the World Building of the Year award, having first earned the distinction in 2013 for the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. The studio’s latest recognition makes it the first practice to win the award twice.
Darlington Public School is located in an inner-city Sydney suburb. It serves as a community-oriented educational space. The school has deep connections to Aboriginal culture. It was designed in collaboration with New Learning Environments. The school’s layout features adaptable hubs. These hubs cater to a variety of learning styles, including active, quiet, and outdoor activities. The design integrates abundant natural light and ventilation, creating a welcoming and sustainable atmosphere for students and staff. Perforated screens inspired by local casuarina trees further tie the school to its environment.
Grounded in Cultural Connections
Central to the project is the concept of Connecting with Country, developed through extensive consultations with First Nations Elders, artists, and the Aboriginal Art Group. This collaborative process resulted in the inclusion of Indigenous plants, storytelling elements, and art throughout the campus. QR codes scattered across the school link students and visitors to information about the land and flora, turning the campus into a living classroom where culture and environment intersect.
The school also pays homage to its past. Murals by Blak Douglas (Adam Hill), originally painted for the previous school building, have been reimagined in the new facility. Totems designed by Uncle Neil (Thorne) connect classrooms to cultural narratives, reinforcing the school’s role as a space for education enriched by cultural depth.
Outdoor terraces and garden play areas further increase the connection to nature, echoing traditional First Nations learning environments. The integration of these cultural and natural elements offers students a space that is both educational and deeply rooted in its surroundings.
Sustainability at Its Core
Darlington Public School’s designed by fjcstudio sustainable features include rainwater harvesting systems, natural ventilation, and energy-efficient technologies. Sawtooth roofs are strategically angled to capture sunlight, while high-level glazing provides indirect daylight. Protective curved screens filter light into the building, creating comfortable and energy-efficient spaces.
These features demonstrate the school’s dedication to combining environmental responsibility with its educational and cultural goals. By prioritizing these values, the school functions not only as an academic institution but also as a community hub, offering a model for thoughtful, forward-looking design.
Jury Recognition
The WAF jury praised the project by fjcstudio for its inclusive approach to design. It incorporated the views of the local community and various user groups. Jury member Paul Finch highlighted how the design expanded on the client’s formal program. It incorporated the history of the location, its culture, and its connection to time. He commended the building for its poetic integration of topography, materials, and spaces. He described it as an inspirational model for reconciliation and brighter futures.
Name: Darlington Public School
Completion date: July 2023
Type: Education
Location: Golden Grove Street, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
Client: NSW Department of Education
fjcstudio 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 and Myrrhine Fabricius
Consultants / Construction Team: AW Edwards Pty Ltd, Mace, Ethos Urban, Meinhardt-Bonacci, Umow Lai, Whiffen & Andrews, WSP, Jones & Jones, Stantec, Keerfoot, Warren Smith & Partners, Warrington Fire, Integral Group, GML Heritage, Acoustic Logic, Pulse Acoustics, TTPA, Phillip Chun, CMS Surveyors, New Learning Enviroments, Mac Group, Donald Cant Watts Corke and AW Signs
Photographers: Brett Boardman and Anthony Fretwell
