Downing Centre Refurbishment
Downing Centre Refurbishment
Client:
Department of Communities and Justice
Location:
Sydney, New South Wales
Status:
Completed late 2025
Contact Person:
Sophie Cleland
The unexpected closure of a critical civic asset became the catalyst for a complete renewal of the Downing Centre Local and District Court in Sydney.
After a burst water main and significant flooding forced a six-month closure, the Department of Communities and Justice launched an accelerated program to restore and reimagine the facility.
Working within a compressed timeframe and a complex operational brief, our Public team adopted a fast-tracked design and documentation process, collaborating closely with the client and fit-out contractor to deliver a coordinated and responsive outcome.
The completed works mark the beginning of a new chapter for this heritage-listed civic landmark.
Peeling back the layers
One of the largest court complexes in the Southern Hemisphere, the Downing Centre occupies the former Mark Foy’s Piazza department store—an early 20th-century landmark of considerable architectural significance. Operating as a retail destination until the early 1980s, the building was adaptively reused as a court complex in 1991.
The project involved the refurbishment of historically sensitive lobby spaces, alongside courtrooms, waiting areas, meeting rooms, and amenities distributed across six levels. Through a process of careful subtraction, we removed interventions from the 1980s, revealing and celebrating the building’s original fabric.
The design foregrounds the heritage qualities of the building while responding to the psychological demands of a high-stress civic environment. Trauma-informed design principles underpin the approach, supported by a legible and intuitive wayfinding strategy that enhances clarity of movement and user experience.
New custom light fittings throughout respond to the heritage character and create a strong civic quality.
Our reconfiguration of the internal environment achieves greater openness, brings in more natural light, and enhances spatial legibility—contributing to a setting that promotes calm, reduces anxiety, and supports dignified use.
Designing the future
Key architectural interventions include:
Material articulation: Each level is differentiated through a curated palette of wall finishes, accent tones, floor coverings, and integrated signage, establishing an identity while reinforcing intuitive navigation.
Spatial volume: We selectively increased ceiling heights by rationalising services and bulkheads, opening up previously compressed spaces. This intervention is most pronounced at ground level, where the removal of a deep bulkhead has restored volumetric clarity and enhanced natural light.
Programmatic anchors: Custom-designed joinery elements define key points of engagement, including information and support zones, providing clarity and orientation within the broader space.
Seating strategy: A diversified furniture selection increases both capacity and choice, accommodating a range of needs while improving overall comfort.
Amenities: The expansion of amenities—including additional bathrooms, prayer rooms, and hydration stations—fosters inclusivity and reflects a broader understanding of user wellbeing.
Collectively, these interventions reposition the Downing Centre as a contemporary, accessible, and resilient civic environment—one that is better equipped to serve the evolving needs of its users while respecting its architectural legacy.
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Client:
Department of Communities and Justice
Location:
Sydney, New South Wales
Status:
Completed late 2025
Contact Person:
Sophie Cleland
Key People
Chris Jones
Associate
Melbourne
Registered Architect VIC (15497)
