22 SEPTEMBER 2025
Authored by
Darlington Public School has done something remarkable: a small, community-focused school in Sydney has been crowned World Building of the Year 2024 at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore.
Up against more than 200 shortlisted projects – from soaring skyscrapers to cultural icons – this humble public school stood tall. Designed by FJC Studio, it’s the first time any practice has won the WAF top honour twice. Judges called the project “poetic,” praising how “topography and landscape, inside and outside, form and materials flow seamlessly in an unexpectedly delightful way” and an “inspirational proposition about the acknowledgement and reconciliation of historic difference – a pointer to brighter, better futures for all.”
It’s a milestone that proves great design doesn’t always have to be the biggest – sometimes it’s about heart, culture, and community.
Reopened in 2023, the school is a living example of how architecture can be both practical and deeply meaningful. Located on the edge of Sydney’s CBD near Redfern, the design celebrates Aboriginal heritage and local culture.
FJC Studio worked closely with First Nations elders, artists, and the school community to weave Indigenous stories into the very fabric of the campus. Beloved murals were preserved, new artworks created, and native gardens now double as outdoor classrooms. Students can even scan QR codes across the campus to learn about the land and local plants – a simple but powerful way to connect past and present.
Sustainability runs through the design too. Saw-tooth roofs draw in natural light, rainwater is harvested, and cross-ventilation reduces reliance on mechanical cooling. Outdoor terraces and gardens blur the line between learning spaces and play, echoing the traditions of learning on Country.
The result is a school that is open, welcoming, and designed to enrich the entire community.
What sets Darlington apart visually is its sweeping, curved perforated metal screen façade. Two stories high and finished in a rich gold tone, the screen wraps around walkways, shaping gardens, play zones, and gathering spaces.
It’s more than just beautiful. The perforated design filters dappled light reminiscent of nearby casuarina trees, offering privacy while still keeping a sense of openness. Functionally, the screens provide shade, reduce heat, and act as brise-soleils – cutting glare and boosting comfort.
Delivering this ambitious façade was no small feat. Louvreclad engineered, fabricated, and installed the custom Polaris Series® aluminium screens – each uniquely curved to form a continuous flowing surface. We designed concealed structural framing to keep the look seamless, while ensuring the façade could handle large spans, thermal expansion, and Australia’s tough climate. The millimetre accuracy and craftsmanship required made this project one of our most challenging – and rewarding – in recent memory.
At Louvreclad, we’re proud to be the face of Australian building. Projects like Darlington Public School show what’s possible when design, craft, and community come together.
To see this local school celebrated on the global stage is humbling. For our team, it reinforces why we do what we do: creating façades that are Made to Perform.
Congratulations to Darlington Public School, FJC Studio, AW Edwards, and everyone involved in this landmark project. It’s an inspiring reminder that world-class architecture can start in the heart of a community – and shine brightly across the globe.
https://www.louvreclad.com/insights/celebrating-darlington-public-school-world-building-of-the-year-2024/