Behind the Garrison: Layers of Faith, Community, and Architecture

Sitting on a generous site on Lower Fort Street, the Garrison Renewal Project demonstrates how careful adaption of heritage buildings can strengthen a community already thriving within them.

Working with significant heritage constraints, the congregation needed more from its place of worship. Post-service gatherings, events and programs were all difficult within the enclosure of church and hall. And in contrast to the parish’s open and welcoming mission, the life of the church stayed hidden from public view behind the introverted nature of both buildings.

The result answers both the connection between the buildings and the lack of visibility to activity: a light, floating pavilion placed between church and hall. Set back significantly from the street, it reveals both adjacent elevations through transparent walls held away from the sandstone surrounds.

Design Director Richard Francis-Jones, Principal Annie Hensley and Senior Associate Daniel Bourke talk through the inspiration, the process and the decisions behind a new place to gather.

What was the inspiration for the design features of the Renewal Project and how did this inform the design process?

RFJ: The pavilion is designed to feel light and almost ethereal in contrast to the heavy, introverted sandstone buildings around it. The roof appears to float above the glass enclosure, reinforcing that sense of lightness. The pavilion is conceived as a sheltering tree growing between the buildings – a place to gather beneath its canopy. The frontage is deliberately column-free so that views to the surrounding heritage elements remain uninterrupted. The edges feel very open, so the perimeter is fully glazed, creating a room without walls, while also allowing people outside to see the life of the building within. It helps connect the pavilion with the landscape, heritage elements and the public domain. This becomes especially apparent at night.”

AH: We considered numerous ways to design a link between the church and the hall that were quite intrusive on the heritage church and the stained-glass windows. Eventually we decided to pull the connecting element away from both heritage buildings and set it back from the street to create a welcoming forecourt and give the heritage facades primacy. Transparency was key, so that both beautiful sandstone walls remained visible.

How did the heritage significance of the site inform the project and its implementation? Were changes made during the process to adapt to further understanding of the heritage values of the site?

AH: Heritage significance shaped the entire project from concept stage through to final details. Both buildings are State Heritage listed, so all changes had to reflect and carefully consider the original buildings by not touching the external walls wherever possible, apart from the connecting portals. Even the roof is carefully separated so that it does not touch either building. When we were evaluating the school hall building, we discovered intact trusses behind the plasterboard walls above the old offices. This meant we chose the front space as the main hall to showcase these trusses.

DB: We also worked with a Heritage Consultant, Paul Davies who informed us about the vestry changes, helped locate new openings into the heritage fabric and assisted with design solutions for the interfaces between the old and new work.

How did the many iterations of the plans over numerous years deliver the outcome?

AH: The concept for the pavilion evolved over time. Originally, our brief was to create a weatherproof link between the buildings and relocate the amenities. Through consultation with the church, the pavilion became more significant – a central gathering space. It took on a defined function not just a transitional link.

DB: With that shift, the pavilion needed to be sensitively integrated with services, such as air conditioning, task lighting and audio-visual infrastructure – without undermining the original concept.

AH: The functions within the school hall also evolved over time. There were numerous conversations on how and where to prioritize the main meeting space and kitchen space.  In consultation with the church, it was finally agreed to design an open plan kitchen in the Centre of the school building to serve the surrounding rooms was adopted.

DB: Improving the accessibility of all aspects of the old and new buildings became a key driver of the scheme. The project really benefited from the involvement of several parish stakeholders with expertise in accessibility. Their input helped shape many aspects of the design, from level changes and the finer details.

Were there any surprises along the way?

DB: The builders demonstrated a deep commitment, expertise, and innovative thinking to the project. The process was truly collaborative, friendly and respectful. They showed a great level of care and a lot of craft…part builder, part craftsman, I would say.

What is your favourite space within the project and why?

AH: I enjoy the procession from the church to the hall via the vestry. I love the visual link from the vestry, under the tree and through to the hall.  It is a lovely view that highlights beautiful detailing!

DB: It feels so welcoming to walk towards the entrance from the street and park across the road into the pavilion. And then when you are in it, the heritage stonework of the adjacent buildings is on display, capped by the soaring paneled timber roof above. People also notice the integration of mirrors in the halls, which creates such an illusion of space while concealing the services beyond. I also think the detailing around all the new openings has been refined and respectful of the heritage values of both buildings.

What do think will be the legacy of this project on the local surroundings and community beyond?

RFJ: The studio believes that the Renewal Project is a legacy project, not only for the Church but for the wider community. There is already a great deal of interest in this site from locals and visitors alike, and that will grow over time. The Garrison plays an important role in the public life of this significant heritage precinct, and these changes allow it to engage more actively with both daily use and special events. While the church and hall reflect patterns of worship from more than a century ago, the project helps the parish continue to thrive into the future – more connected with the community and with each other.

We consider projects such as these to be the very essence of a legacy project, as they have long-term public benefit that is hard to describe. They encapsulate the continuation of legacy – that ensures our heritage buildings are livable and relevant into the future. The Garrison belongs to more than just the church; it is part of our collective memory and our day- to-day experience of Millers Point and The Rocks.

“It’s primarily about the renewal that God brings, but it’s also about renewal of community, and it’s all cast, of course, in the renewal of the buildings”

Justin Moffatt, Senior Minister Church Hill Anglican.