In a world where skyscrapers rise more than 1000 meters, where there are huge ‘corridor cities’, huge train stations and residential towers in the middle of the desert. ultra luxury and others who seem to mock the laws of physics expect the award for best building of the year to go to just that: a megaproject built in a metropolis on a million-dollar budget. But when it came to deciding who to award the 2024 world prize to, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) jury looked at something quite different: a small school on the outskirts of the city.

Name: Darlington Public School is a project developed in Chippendale, a suburb of Sydney, Australia.

Who needs skyscrapers? These are good times for lovers megastructures. In Saudi Arabia they are building The Line and plan to be crowned with other projects of Neom or the no less impressive Mukaabo Jeddah Tower, in China they have made it clear that they like XXXL structures and in other countries, for example, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, the United States States or Japan also like to test their architects and engineers.

Therefore, when “building of the year” is mentioned, big projects with enormous heights and million-dollar budgets inevitably come to mind. Things are a little different for the jury of the World Architecture Festival (WAF), an architecture festival with international influence and prestige. They were recently awarded the World Building of the Year 2024, and surprisingly the award went not to any Saudi skyscraper but to a modest primary school in a suburb of Sydney, whose work was completed in 2023.

So how is the project? It is much more discreet than large structures built in other latitudes of the planet. WAF does not go into detail in its filing about the budget or size of the work, but it does provide some insightful information about the project: The building is a public school for elementary students located in Chippendale. far south Sydney’s business district.

Although those responsible for the project did not exactly start from scratch, the center’s work was completed a year ago, in July 2023. Fjcstudio, the studio that undertook the commission, explains that the centre, a “true community school”, already operates from very worn-out old buildings designed by State technicians in the 70s.

The architects, who accepted the offer of the New South Wales authorities, wanted to “capture the original spirit” of the center and transfer it to their new designs. The studies were divided into two phases so that students could attend classes at all times and do not need to move.

What’s the score? A modest suburban school that managed to win the World Building of the Year award, beating more than 200 projects pre-selected by those in charge of WAF. The award is a privilege given by an organization, just like in the world; However, this is still significant considering that there are much larger-scale actions among the applicants.

The list of candidates is completed by, among others, an astronomical observatory in Cyprus, a station in Poland, a Turkish solar power plant, an airport terminal in Singapore or a residential tower in Mexico. In 2023, the WAF jury also selected an educational facility, a boarding school and a secondary school in Ningbo, eastern China.

How? Chippendale school stands out with its brick facade and wavy shapes, serrated roof, basketball court, garden areas, open terraces and sustainable approach. “It features a series of linear brick forms that reflect the masonry character of the residential and industrial environment and host flexible learning spaces. Complementing this, a curvilinear perforated metal screen defines spaces for fluid and organic movement and gathering,” the work explains.

Why is it special? Its architects assure that the project “radically transforms” the existing centre, with buildings dating back nearly half a century, and underline that they wanted to incorporate elements of the “rich indigenous culture” that define the Darlington school when proposing the design. .

Like? They preserved the collection of Aboriginal artworks by placing them in the classrooms, living room and entryway. Murals drawn directly on the walls of the building from the 1970s were also photographed so that they could be reproduced in the new building. They chose native plants for the community garden.

What did the jury value? Various aspects. In its decision, WAF highlighted how the design “seamlessly connects” the school with its surroundings and balances privacy and a sense of community, preserving the brightness of the building, its integration with the surrounding landscape and the spirit of the school. . former.

“The design process prioritized a collaborative approach, which was vital to integrating built form and landscape, resolving major irregularities in the landscape and establishing a real connection with the landscape. The master plan divided the work into two phases, which allowed operation to continue with the recovery of the center and eliminating moving costs,” adds those responsible.

Anything else? Yes, regarding the architectural commitment, they emphasize the property’s “connection” to its landscape, its sustainability, its saw-shaped roof angled towards the sun, the glazing designed to achieve the most efficient natural lighting possible, and especially its commitment to the property. Aboriginal art. “The design embraces the rich indigenous culture and artistic heritage that is so important to the community,” comments WAF. “A large collection of Indigenous artwork has been preserved and displayed throughout the school.”

Is this the first time? Upon learning of the award, Fjcstudio partner Alessadro Rosi celebrated it as “a great honour”, especially “given the modest scale of the building”. But the truth is that this is not the first time Australian research has been noticed by WAF. Its managers recall that they had already achieved this in 2013 for another project, the Toi o Tāmaki art gallery in Auckland on New Zealand’s north island. His design for the Liverpool Municipal Library in south-west Sydney also stood out. It is considered one of the most beautiful new buildings of its type.

Pictures | NSW Department of Education-School Infrastructure

in Xataka | There is a claim that the cities of the future will be made of wood. And more and more people support it