St Mary’s College, Sydney

St Mary’s Cathedral College, the oldest school in the Sydney Archdiocese, has been a place of learning since 1824. Tasked with transforming its Cathedral House complex – once sleeping quarters for traveling priests – Hammond Studio has reimagined the space as a commodious and uplifting facility for the college’s music faculty.

With respect for the iconic cathedral at the heart of the campus, the studio has taken a light-touch approach, balancing contemporary function with the site’s historic sandstone character. A fresh palette of textural materials and light finishes breathes new life into the formerly tired interiors, drawing on Sydney’s coastal identity to create an inviting, light-filled environment for work and musical practice.

Dormitory-style spaces have been thoughtfully refurbished to accommodate new bathroom amenities, a staff kitchen, teacher offices, and a boardroom. A rehearsal space now houses a grand piano, while a dedicated dressing room provides choir members with a private space to prepare.

The college’s recent transition to a co-educational model called for a considered approach to privacy and inclusivity. In response, Hammond Studio has reworked amenities to create a welcoming environment for all students, while shielding them from the busy goings-ons of the publicly accessible cathedral.

Enhancing access to natural light and improving acoustics were also central to the design brief. Skylights and carefully placed lighting introduce a sense of luminosity into the spaces, complemented by light timber paneling that subtly integrates acoustic treatments. The result is a reinvigorated space – responsive in its design, respectful of its heritage, and purpose-built for the college’s teachers and students.

Photography by Terence Chin. Images © Hammond Studio