November 8th 2024.
In a surprising turn of events, a small suburban school in Australia has claimed the title of World Building of the Year 2024, beating out impressive contenders such as skyscrapers and museums. Darlington Public School, located in the bustling Sydney suburb of Chippendale, was announced as the winner at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore on Friday, triumphing over more than 220 other shortlisted designs.
The school, which opened its doors just last year, boasts a unique design that combines a sleek angular brick building with sprawling outdoor spaces, including a basketball court and community garden. The building's signature "sawtooth" roof adds a touch of modernity to the overall aesthetic. Softly curved metal screens enclose open-air terraces, allowing natural light to filter in while maintaining the students' privacy.
According to fjcstudio, the design firm behind the project, the site had previously been home to an outdated 1970s building that was no longer suitable for the needs of the school. The architects aimed to create a "radically transformed" space that would provide students with modern and dynamic learning environments, while still honoring the spirit of the original campus.
The new campus, which includes a preschool, kindergarten, and primary school, has a capacity of over 500 students, as stated on the school's website. Despite the two-stage building process, classes were able to continue throughout construction, ensuring minimal disruption to the students' education.
In addition to its impressive design, Darlington Public School also has a strong connection to the Aboriginal community. Fjcstudio made sure to preserve this cultural heritage by incorporating indigenous art into the school's hall, entrance reception, and classrooms. The firm even reproduced the Aboriginal murals that adorned the walls of the old building in the new structure's cladding.
Alessandro Rossi, associate at fjcstudio, expressed his gratitude after the announcement, stating, "It's very humbling given the modest scale of the building – it's a little school project, so to have won against all the other big projects at WAF is a testament to the client and the community engagement that helped drive the design process. The real winners are the children who will spend time in the building – a place of enrichment for many years to come."
This year marks the 17th edition of the World Architecture Festival, which recognizes excellence in 18 categories, ranging from sport and transportation to health and housing. The World Building of the Year is chosen from the winners of each category by a panel of 175 festival delegates.
Past winners include a serene boarding school in China and Quay Quarter Tower, a "upcycled" skyscraper in Sydney that retained two-thirds of an old high-rise on the site. However, Darlington Public School is the second Sydney building to win in the past three years, solidifying the city's reputation as a hub for innovative and progressive architecture.
In the end, it is the children who will truly benefit from this award-winning design. As they enter the doors of Darlington Public School, they will be greeted by a space that not only provides a top-notch education, but also honors their cultural heritage and fosters a sense of community.
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