Q&A: Darlington Public School by fjcstudio – A Model for Inclusive and Future-Focused Learning
A conversation on inclusive design, flexible learning environments, and why this inner-Sydney school was named World Building of the Year.
Darlington Public School, tucked into Sydney’s dense inner-city fabric, has been reimagined by fjcstudio as a bold response to the changing needs of contemporary education. The project—which delivers a highly compact, vertical campus on a constrained urban site—recently received global recognition as World Building of the Year at the 2024 World Architecture Festival. The jury cited its “human-centric architecture” and “clear expression of civic generosity.”
photography by Brett Boardman
videography by Ruth Gold Films
What were the primary goals in redeveloping Darlington Public School?
fjcstudio:
The aim was to create a future-focused, inclusive school that responded to both the pedagogical and spatial pressures of a growing urban population. The new school consolidates three existing campuses into a single, cohesive learning environment—while maximising limited land for both play and learning.
As the ABC reported, the design “celebrates learning as an active, visible and communal act”—an ambition that guided both planning and spatial organisation.
How does the architecture engage with the community and context?
fjcstudio:
The school’s curved form softens its presence on the street, embracing the public realm and creating a welcoming gesture to the neighbourhood. The terraced landscape invites both formal and informal use, offering spaces for outdoor learning, community events, and everyday gathering.
WAF judge and architect Jeanne Gang noted in the ABC article:
“It shows how architecture can act as a social equaliser… It doesn’t feel institutional—it feels open, playful, and accessible.”
What design strategies were used to support learning and wellbeing?
fjcstudio:
The learning environments are designed as flexible, interconnected hubs rather than isolated classrooms. These open-plan areas can be configured in multiple ways to support group work, individual learning, and staff collaboration.
Natural light, ventilation, and material warmth were prioritised throughout. According to the WAF jury, the project “demonstrates that schools can—and should—embody the same design ambitions as cultural or civic buildings.”
How did fjcstudio overcome the challenges of the urban site?
fjcstudio:
The vertical arrangement was key. By stacking programs and creating a multi-level playground system, we were able to accommodate both built form and open space on a tight inner-city block. The elevated play decks and green terraces ensure that students still have access to nature, movement, and daylight.
Architect Clinton Murray, as quoted by ABC, described the project as:
“An uplifting counterpoint to the idea that inner-city density must compromise the quality of public infrastructure.”
What does the World Building of the Year award mean for the future of school design?
fjcstudio:
It validates the idea that schools can be more than serviceable—they can be transformative. Darlington is a model for how education infrastructure can engage with place, community, and pedagogy simultaneously. The award also shines a light on the importance of embedding architectural thinking into public education systems.
Project Details
- Project: Darlington Public School
- Architects: fjcstudio
- Location: Darlington, Sydney, Australia
- Completion: 2023
- Client: Schools Infrastructure NSW
- Awards:
- 2024 World Building of the Year, World Architecture Festival
- 2024 NSW Architecture Awards – Award for Educational Architecture
CampusDesign.co is dedicated to showcasing the architecture of learning. Darlington Public School exemplifies how inclusive design, civic thinking, and spatial innovation can reshape how we teach and connect in our cities.
