COMPANY
PROJECT LOCATION
COUNTRY
AREA
COST
BUILDING TYPE
CONSTRUCTION
PERIOD OF INVOLVEMENT
NBRS ARCHITECTURE
80 Wollongong Road Arncliffe, NSW 2205
Gadigal/Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation
3200sqm
$50 Million
Educational Facility
Concrete, masonry, steel frame with CFC cladding
March 2023 – Present
The St Marks Coptic Orthodox Redevelopment is a 3 storey build with two basement levels, to provide Coptic orthodox theological classrooms and auxiliary facilities to St Cyril’s College that is associated with the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, St Marks parish and community in Arncliffe. NBRS was engaged by the client to provide full architectural, landscape, heritage and coordination services. The scope of the project will provide 30 religious education classrooms, a new hall for the parish youth, a bakery/café, small amphitheatre, and amenities. I have been involved in the project since the inception, from the initial request from the St Marks Coptic board and have continued working on it to today’s date, where I look forward to taking this project through to DA and hopefully into practical completion.
DESIGN CONCEPT 1
A number of iterations and concepts were explored. The images to the right highlight an early iteration that I developed of a concave facade with concrete, timber and copper screening. Taking elements of the Coptic Orthodox church and its rich orthodox art. Through hand sketches and digital modelling through revit and enscape. These were used to communicate the design to relevant stakeholders.
[ALL SKETCHES ARE MY OWN]
DESIGN CONCEPT 2
Another concept that I tested was a concrete and timber facade, exploring rounded blades, a strong horizontal presence balanced by vertical elements.
[ALL SKETCHES ARE MY OWN]
Design Concept 2 was the concept that was then chosen to be refined for Development Application.
The Final Concept
BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN
LOWER GROUND FLOOR PLAN
UPPER GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
STATION STREET ARNCLIFFE - SOUTHERN ELEVATION
WOLLONGONG ROAD ARNCLIFFE - NORTHERN ELEVATION
NEIGHBOURS EDGE - WESTERN ELEVATION
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
DIAGRAMS
The series of graphic diagrams were created to aid communication of the design constraints and opportunities.
(From left to right) These included; a sloping site, two street facades, land flow, the heart of the campus, access to public transportation, vegetation, noise/acoustics.
Station Street Main Entry
Station Street Secondary Entry
Central Courtyard
