Darlington Public School
Darlington Public School
fjcstudio
ARCHITECTS
Fjcstudio
ASSOCIATE, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Richard Tripolone
MANUFACTURERS
Equitone, Brickworks
LEAD ARCHITECT
Richard Francis-jones
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Richard Francis-jones
MANAGING PRINCIPAL
Elizabeth Carpenter
ASSOCIATE
Jason Searl
SENIOR DESIGNER
Brooke Mathews
DESIGNER
Prachi Chauhan, Chad Dao, Margaret Metchev, Max Jefferys, Ileana Lanfranco, Alicia Mccarthy, Myrrhine Fabricius
ELECTRICAL
Keerfoot
SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Mona Mengpa Zhang
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Fjclandscape
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
Jen Brandwood, Maria Martinez
MECHANICAL
Umow Lai
SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER
Marika Haromo
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Thevaki Sivasubramaniam, Kathryn Aldover
TOWN PLANNING
Ethos Urban
CIVIL, STRUCTURE
Meinhardt - Bonacci
HYDRAULIC
Wsp / Jones & Jones
FIRE ENGINEERING
Warren Smith & Partners
ACCOUSTIC
Acoustic Logic / Pulse Acoustic
HERITAGE, ABORIGINAL CONSULTANT
Gml Heritage
EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT
New Learning Environments
TRAFFIC
Ttpa
ACCESSIBILITY
Phillip Chun
BUILDING SURVEYOR
Cms Surveyors
VISUAL IMPACT
Ethos Urban
WASTE CONSULTANT
Jbsg
KITCHEN CONSULTANT
Mac Group
BCA, PCA, AND CC
Phillip Chun
ESD / GREENSTAR
Integral Group
QUANTITY SURVEYOR
Donald Cant Watts Corke
PLANNING
Ethos Urban
PHOTOGRAPHS
Brett Boardman / Anthony Fretwell
YEAR
2023
LOCATION
Sydney, Australia
CATEGORY
Schools
Darlington Public School is a community school located in a thriving inner-city suburb of Sydney, with strong connections to Aboriginal people.
The school serves as a model for innovative educational spaces, emphasizing the integration of First Nations culture and sustainability.
Designed in collaboration with educational consultants, New Learning Environments, the school features adaptable learning hubs that foster collaboration and inclusivity.
These spaces support active, quiet, and outdoor learning, creating a safe and inviting atmosphere that maximizes natural light and ventilation.
The design incorporates perforated screens that reflect the local casuarina trees, further connecting the school to its natural surroundings.
Central to the school's design is the concept of Connecting with the Country, developed through extensive consultation with First Nations Elders, artists, and the Aboriginal Art Group.
This collaboration resulted in the inclusion of Indigenous plants, art, and storytelling throughout the campus.
QR codes link students and visitors to the stories of the land and plants, transforming the school into a living classroom where culture and environment are intertwined.
This thoughtful integration of cultural values makes the school a powerful example of place-based learning.
The outdoor learning terraces and garden play areas promote openness and a connection to nature, echoing traditional learning environments found in cultural practices.
Murals from the original school, painted by Blak Douglas (Adam Hill), were recreated in the new facility, ensuring a continuity of culture.
Additionally, totems designed by Uncle Neil (Thorne) are incorporated into the design, linking the classrooms to cultural narratives and enhancing the educational experience.
Darlington Public School's commitment to sustainability is evident through initiatives like rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, and energy-efficient systems.
The design also features sawtooth roofs angled to capture sunlight, high-level glazing for indirect daylight, and protective curved screens for filtered light.
The school's emphasis on blending educational, cultural, and environmental values highlights its role as a community hub that celebrates both its local landscape and its deep connections to Aboriginal heritage.
