Darlington Public School
Darlington Public School
A small school near Redfern
Darlington is a small school located on the fringe of the city of Sydney, near Redfern and vibrant and cosmopolitan Newtown. It features a sequence of linear brick forms, reflecting the masonry character of the surrounding residential and industrial context and houses flexible learning spaces, a hall, and support areas. Complementing this, a curvilinear perforated metal screen defines fluid, organic movement and gathering spaces, seamlessly connecting outdoor play areas and gardens.
A transformed school
The school has been radically transformed, making way for new and contemporary learning environments, creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere, fostering a sense of belonging amongst the close knit community of students, their families and school staff. The school’s inclusive culture is a key part of the new design, acknowledging and respecting children from diverse family and cultural backgrounds.
Indigenous culture and art
The design also embraces the rich indigenous culture of Darlington Public School as well as the artistic heritage of the school. This was achieved in the first instance, by preserving the extensive collection of aboriginal artworks and featuring the art in the classrooms, hall and reception entry. Secondly the indigenous art murals painted on the walls of the original school building were photographed and kept for reference and repainted on the walls of the new school. This retained a layer of history, keeping the important murals alive for the next generation of students.
Outdoor classrooms
Our landscape design integrated nature with learning, creating dynamic outdoor classrooms. Thoughtfully designed spaces include shaded seating, gardens, and open areas to promote exploration and collaboration. These environments support environmental awareness activities and promote hands-on learning opportunities.
Explore the landscape and interiors of Darlington Public School.
Read more in Insights: fjcstudio receives three International Architecture Awards; fjcstudio is thrilled to announce that Darlington Public School has been awarded the Building of the Year at the 2024 World Architecture Festival.; Darlington Public School wins the Educational Architecture Award at the 2024 NSW AIA Awards.
Quotes
| Paul Finch | World Building of the Year 2024 Jury Member |
The very high quality of several of this year’s finalists, but the jury’s unanimous decision was reached relatively easily. The architect of the winning 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,” his statement continued. “The result of the project is poetic, a building in which topography and landscape, inside and outside, form and materials, flow seamlessly in an unexpectedly delightful way. It is also an inspirational proposition about the acknowledgement and reconciliation of historic difference — a pointer to brighter, better futures for all.” |
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Awards
| 2026 | RIBA | International Award for Excellence | |
| 2024 | World Architecture Festival | World Building of the Year | |
| 2024 | World Architecture Festival | School category winner | |
| 2024 | INDE.Awards | Best of the Best | |
| 2024 | INDE.Awards | The Learning Space | |
| 2024 | AIA (NSW Chapter) | Educational Architecture Award | |
