Churches
fjcstudio designs places of worship that serve both congregation and community. Our work extends from new churches to sensitive additions within heritage precincts, developed through close consultation with parishes.
St Barnabas Church on Broadway pairs a worship space, conceived like an open hand under the sky, with a foyer and social heart that opens to a landscaped courtyard. At The Garrison Church in Millers Point, a light timber pavilion between heritage sandstone buildings becomes a place of arrival, gathering and community programs.
St Barnabas Church, Broadway
Curved worship and social spaces rise around a landscaped courtyard, set behind a sheltering concrete frame to the street.
The Garrison Church, Millers Point
A transparent pavilion with a floating timber roof forms a social heart between heritage sandstone buildings.
St Barnabas Church interiors
A folding floor wraps around the congregation and rises to soft, cloud-like ceilings filled with light.
The Garrison Church heritage
The pavilion sits back from Lower Fort Street, keeping the primacy of the heritage facades and stained-glass windows.
Our Approach
Worship and Welcome
We design worship spaces for light, warmth and focus, and foyers, courtyards and gathering spaces that make the life of the church visible and welcoming from the street. Each space is shaped around the traditions of the congregation, so that worship, fellowship and outreach are supported by the building itself.
Integrated Disciplines
Architecture, interiors and landscape are designed together in one studio. At St Barnabas Church, the worship space, foyer and social heart open to a landscaped courtyard; at The Garrison Church, a new pavilion, renewed landscape and reorganised hall work as one. Designing together keeps each project coherent.
Heritage
Many church sites are heritage listed. We protect the hierarchy and legibility of historic buildings, keep connections to heritage fabric to a minimum, and work with heritage consultants on new openings and the junctions between old and new. New elements are clearly contemporary, so the history of each site remains easy to read.
Compliance
We resolve building code, accessibility and services requirements within sensitive settings, meeting current standards without compromising the character of a place of worship. Upgrades to fire safety, structure and services are planned with care and placed where they have the least impact on significant fabric, so the building can serve its congregation for many years.
Amenities
Parish life extends beyond worship. We plan kitchens, meeting rooms, amenities and audiovisual services so churches can host gatherings, programs and community groups, integrated discreetly within new and existing fabric. Flexible rooms and storage let spaces change easily between uses through the week, supporting the many groups that make up parish life.
Accessibility
We design so that everyone can arrive, worship and gather with dignity, resolving level changes across historic sites and working with parish members who bring expertise in accessibility. Ramps, lifts and amenities are integrated into the design rather than added later, so equitable access feels natural and respects the character of each place.
Consultation
Our designs develop through close consultation with clergy, congregations and the wider community, so that each church reflects its mission and welcomes its neighbourhood. Workshops, presentations and feedback at key stages give parishioners a voice in the design, and help build shared support for the project from the earliest ideas to completion.
Working with Building Committees
We work closely with parish building committees over the life of a project, often across many years and design iterations, aligning the brief, heritage values and budget with the vision of the church. Clear options at each stage help committees make confident decisions and share them with the wider parish.
Experience Matrix
| Project | Location | Worship Space | Community and Social Spaces | Heritage Integration | Courtyard and Landscape | Parish Consultation | Interiors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | St Barnabas Church | Broadway | • | • | • | • | ||
 | The Garrison Church | Millers Point | • | • | • | • |
Awards
Our church projects have been recognised by architecture awards. Awards include:
| Project | Name | Year | Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Barnabas Church | Public Architecture Award | 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| St Barnabas Church | Interior Architecture Award | 2015 | Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) |
| St Barnabas Church | Completed Buildings: Religion, High Commendation | 2013 | World Architecture Festival |
| St Barnabas Church | International Architecture Award | 2013 | Chicago Athenaeum |
For further information about our church and place of worship capability, please enquire by email.
Related capabilities: heritage, adaptive reuse and event and function venues.