1+2 Architecture acknowledges the Palawa people as the traditional custodians of lutruwita, the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. We are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Kingston Christian Reformed Church
LOCATION + TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
The Palawa, Kingston, Tasmania
CLIENT
Not applicable
STATUS
Completed 2023
AWARDS
Not applicable
media
Not applicable
PHOTOGRAPHY
1+2 Architecture
Extending the role of a long-established place of worship and community gathering, the Kingston Christian Reformed Church project creates new spaces that support its congregation while welcoming the wider neighbourhood.
The contemporary addition to the existing 20th-century heritage-listed church brings together offices, meeting spaces, a café, kitchen facilities and children's play areas. Guided by the church's commitment to community outreach, the design balances the practical needs of its congregation with the ambition to create an open, welcoming and accessible environment for the broader community.
KEY COLLABORATORS
+ Builder:
+ Landscape Architecture:
+ Land Surveyors:
+ Quantity Surveyor:
+ Building Surveyor:
+ Structural and Hydraulic Engineering:
Aldanmark Consulting Engineers
+ Services Engineering:
+ Safety in Design:
Place
The addition establishes a considered relationship with the existing brick church, balancing its solid, enduring character with a lighter, more transparent architectural expression. Timber and brick provide material continuity, while glazed walls and exposed steel elements introduce openness and natural light.
A new entrance creates a welcoming approach to the building, with landscaped ramps and stairs providing accessible connections between the church and its surroundings. The sequence of spaces leads visitors into the heart of the building, where the auditorium and café open onto a sheltered courtyard and deck.
Visual connections to an enclosed playground allow children and families to remain connected to the activities inside, while the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces brings light, movement and everyday community life into the building.
Process
Consultation and collaboration were central to the design process. Working closely with church representatives and the wider congregation, 1+2 sought to reconcile individual aspirations with the collective needs of a community whose involvement extended well beyond the building itself.
Funded through the generosity of the congregation, the project required careful consideration of cost at every stage. Regular budget reviews, design refinements and simplified construction approaches helped balance the church's aspirations with its available resources. The process also drew on the expertise of community members, alongside ongoing consultation with council to address the heritage requirements of the existing building.
The internal planning places staff offices and meeting rooms alongside the building's main areas of activity, supporting day-to-day operations while maintaining a sense of connection between those working in the church and the people they serve. Throughout, functionality, accessibility and flexibility informed the arrangement of spaces, ensuring the addition could accommodate the varied needs of the congregation and wider community.
“…1+2 understanding has resulted in engaging design solutions that have considered community, warmth, lighting, welcome and functionality of the space. It is clear they have understood that this is a community project, rather than a commercial one. They are aware that it is funded by the generosity of our community. As a result, they have regularly reviewed anticipated costs and have sought to work to budgets, adapt designs, simplify construction and engage community members who have expertise in these areas.
I have really appreciated the regular and clear communication I have had with 1+2 architecture. They have talked us through the different stages of the project, consulted about design decisions, worked with council, particularly on our heritage requirements and at all stages been willing to take our input and feedback into account.”
Paul Kupke, Leader of the Masterplan Committee
Impact
The completed addition brings a greater sense of openness to the church, creating spaces for both organised activities and the informal interactions that form part of community life.
A quiet lounge near the street entrance provides a more private setting for conversation, reflection and pastoral care. Elsewhere, the café, outdoor deck and children's play areas offer places for families and community members to gather, with visual connections between spaces supporting a sense of inclusion and shared activity.
The relationship between old and new allows the church to retain its established identity while accommodating a broader range of uses. The result is a welcoming and functional environment that reflects the congregation's commitment to serving its community.
Awards + Jury Citation
