Sensitive Australian school named best new building in the world

This year’s winner of the prestigious World Building of the Year award has been announced at the annual World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Australia’s Darlington Public School, by fjcstudio, was recognized for its sensitive and inclusive approach to early learning.

The second school To win the World Building of the Year award in a row, Darlington Public School is located in an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Its construction included the replacement of an old 1970s school on the site, which continued to function during the construction process, keeping disruption to a minimum.

The school has strong connections with the local Aboriginal community and the design process prioritized a collaborative approach and focused on cost-effectiveness.

It embraces indigenous culture with an extensive collection of indigenous artwork preserved and displayed around the school, plus a community garden with native plants to teach students about indigenous cuisine and culture.

The design offers views into the courtyard from the main entrance, while curved metal screens protect the outdoor learning and play areas and produce pleasant dappled light. The building also includes passive elements, including sawtooth roofs angled towards the sun, tall glazing for indirect daylight and protective curved screens for filtered daylight.

“The architect of the winning project has researched and expanded the client’s formal program to include the views and experiences of the local community and a variety of users,” said Paul Finch, program director of the World Architecture Festival. “This provided a reading of the history of place, culture and time.

“The result of the project is poetic, a building in which topography and landscape, inside and outside, form and materials, flow seamlessly into each other in an unexpectedly delightful way. It is also an inspiring proposal about the recognition and reconciliation of historical differences – a pointer to a better future for all.”

World interior of the year

In addition to the main World Architecture Festival, the World Festival of Interiors also took place in Singapore. The event’s judges named Beijing’s Pang Mei Noodle Bar as the best by Office AIO World interior of the year.

The noodle bar has a flexible interior finished in muted tones that is arranged around a large roller shutter. Closed during off-peak hours for counter service, but open during busier times, expanding the restaurant for full table service. In addition, a striking stainless steel superstructure protrudes from the facade above the double windows.

Future project of the year

The Future Project of the Year highlights works yet to be completed. This year’s winner is Küçükçekmece Djemevi, from EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture. Planned for Istanbul, Türkiye, it will serve as a gathering space for the Alevi Kurdish community and is inspired by a traditional gathering ritual.

Landscape of the year

The award for Landscape of the Year went to Regeneration Of Vitality – Shenzhen Guanlan Riverside Plaza, by LAY-OUT Planning Consultants. This involved renovating a number of worn-out squares and adding park areas with ecological gardens, a large-scale performance space and a tree-lined square with children’s play areas, shops and cafes.

Source: WAF