fjcstudio earns World Building of the Year 2024 at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) for its visionary design of Darlington Public School, a project that seamlessly integrates sustainability, cultural heritage, and community values reports SURFACES REPORTER (SR)
Sydney-based architecture firm fjcstudio has once again made history with Darlington Public School, which earned the coveted World Building of the Year award at the 2024 World Architecture Festival (WAF). This recognition, marking fjcstudio as the first practice to achieve this award twice, follows their 2013 win for the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Chosen from over 200 shortlisted projects worldwide, Darlington Public School has become a celebrated model for innovative, place-based learning environments.
Located in a culturally vibrant inner-city suburb of Sydney, the school is deeply embedded in the community and pays tribute to its strong connections with Indigenous heritage. The school’s adaptable learning spaces—designed in collaboration with educational consultants New Learning Environments—support active, quiet, and outdoor learning, fostering a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere. Natural elements are thoughtfully incorporated through features like perforated screens inspired by local casuarina trees, grounding the design in the school’s natural surroundings and enhancing its open, airy feel.
At the heart of the project is Connecting with Country, a design concept developed through close collaboration with First Nations Elders, artists, and the Aboriginal Art Group. This approach led to the inclusion of Indigenous plants, artworks, and stories throughout the campus, turning the school into a living, breathing classroom where culture, history, and environment are intertwined. Through QR codes, students and visitors can connect directly to stories of the land, flora, and local heritage, adding an interactive, educational layer to the environment.
In their evaluation of the school’s design, WAF jurors praised fjcstudio’s work for capturing the community’s spirit and weaving it into the project’s very foundation. "The architect of the winning project explored and extended the formal program of the client to include the views and experiences of the local community and a variety of users," remarked Paul Finch, speaking on behalf of the jury. He noted that the building generates a “reading of the history of place, culture, and time,” creating a poetic harmony between landscape, form, and material. He further described the project as “an inspirational proposition about the acknowledgment and reconciliation of historic difference - a pointer to brighter, better futures for all."
This integration of cultural and environmental elements extends to the school’s outdoor learning terraces and garden play areas, designed to connect students with nature in a way that reflects traditional learning environments. Murals from the original school by artist Blak Douglas (Adam Hill) were recreated, and totems by Uncle Neil Thorne have been incorporated into the campus, providing continuity and enriching students’ cultural experience.
Sustainability features prominently in the project, with the school embracing rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, and energy-efficient systems. The sawtooth roofs are angled to capture sunlight, while high-level glazing and protective curved screens allow indirect daylight to flow into the building, striking a balance between functionality and environmental awareness.
Darlington Public School’s design not only elevates fjcstudio’s reputation in the field of architecture but also serves as a powerful example of how education spaces can celebrate cultural heritage, prioritize sustainability, and foster community. Through this remarkable project, fjcstudio has demonstrated that architecture can create meaningful connections between people, place, and purpose, setting a precedent for educational environments around the world.
| Project Details |
| Project Executed By |
fjcstudio |
| Project Completion Date |
Jul-23 |
| Project Name |
Darlington Public School |
| Project Type |
Education |
| Full Address Of Project |
Golden Grove Street, Chippendale NSW 2008 |
| Client |
NSW Department of Education |
| Photographer |
Brett Boardman |
About The Firm
fjcstudio is a renowned multi-disciplinary design studio dedicated to design excellence, innovation, sustainability, reconciliation, and enhancing the public domain. With studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the UK, fjcstudio promotes an inclusive and collaborative environment, uniting a diverse team of seasoned design professionals and technical experts across various project types.
Their approach is rooted in a deep respect for place and culture, shaped through meaningful collaboration with the communities they serve and close partnerships with First Nations collaborators. Beyond community engagement, fjcstudio also works hand-in-hand with industry partners to foster innovation, ensure affordability, and add value across all projects