A church for our city

It is such a rare occasion that an architectural practice is invited to design a new church within a city environment. To work with a parish, which combines such strong bonds to the collective memory of Sydney and long established institutions with young, vibrant character and enthusiasm is such a privilege. 

We have approached the design for the new St Barnabas church with the intent of creating a unique church complex that responds to the qualities and great opportunity of this special site in the city and equally importantly to the great sense of openness, welcoming and joy that characterises St Barnabas. We have been inspired by our visits and participation in the services of St Barnabas, the natural sense of warmth and purpose that made us so welcome, sparked our enthusiasm, and gave us inspiration. We have designed a new church complex that seeks to reflect the values, aspirations and reverence of the congregation.

The new church will offer an oasis of gathering and worship within the busy noise of the city. It will provide a balance of open courtyard, landscaped gardens, informal and formal, fixed and flexible. At the centre of the church will be the informal social-heart gathering spaces and the calm peaceful space of worship. Gathering spaces are strongly connected with open spaces both within and beyond the site providing visual and physical connectivity with the wider community.

The gentle rising curved volumes of the worship space characterise and focus the appearance of the church in the city. This form rises up and opens to the warmth of the northern reflected light and allows equal comfort to a smaller or larger congregation. Complementing the form of the worship space is the curved form of the foyer and social-heart that rises in a gesture of welcome and invitation to the central landscaped forecourt / courtyard.

Separating these curved forms and courtyard from the street is the linear sheltering frame and canopies that define the entrance complex and courtyard. These finely framed volumes open to the street though large windows accommodating the shop and meeting spaces beneath the sheltering canopies that project out over the footpath.

The forms of this church are finished in simple modest natural materials, predominantly light in colour to receive the sun and reflect gently the natural daylight. The complex has been designed to create appropriately low energy and sustainable healthy environments.

The development of the design to this point has been an inspiring and enjoyable experience for us and we look forward to the final stages which will result in the completed New St Barnabas Church.

Find out more about FJMT at www.fjmt.com.au.