Catholic Diocese of Parramatta

A dynamic and assertive concept of place and a symbolic focal point

Challenge

When the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta proposed to combine their separate agencies together into one location - Scott Carver was engaged to create a symbolic focal point for the Church’s activities that was both dynamic and assertive whilst remaining sensitive to its historical significance.

Insight

The proposed co-location adjacent to the historic centre of worship, St Patrick’s Cathedral, created a campus-style arrangement reflecting a multitude of uses, reminiscent of the site’s important historical and environmental context.

Solution

The proposed design included two new integrated office buildings with the necessary workspace for a variety of agencies in a flexible environment designed to foster the process of collaboration and learning; and a new and enlarged Parish Hall allowing flexibility of functional spaces for Parish and Diocese events. Running parallel to the main commercial building colonnade, St Patricks Place provided a strong pedestrian tree lined space, while a new residential building comprising over 70 apartments transitions around the corner, creating a link between the new office and existing heritage elements.

14,410
Metres Squared FSA
17,535
Metres Squared GBA
227
Car Spaces
79
Dwellings

Design inspiration

Our approach to this design challenge emphasised the concept of place, where the design and scale of the spaces created and defined by the new and existing structures were equally as important as the buildings themselves.