An international design team has been appointed to deliver the Diocese of Broken Bay’s Cathedral Precinct Project, a major new religious and civic development in Sydney’s north.
London-based Níall McLaughlin Architects (NMLA), led by Royal Gold Medal recipient Níall McLaughlin, will design the 7.7-hectare precinct in Waitara, transforming the site into an integrated centre for worship, education, and community services.
The project coincides with the Diocese’s 40th anniversary and is set to become a defining landmark for the region.
The Diocese of Broken Bay, which serves approximately 250,000 Catholics across the Central Coast, North Shore and Northern Beaches, selected NMLA through an invited international design process led by the Most Rev Anthony Randazzo DD JCL.
“The Cathedral Precinct is a home for faith, a place for community, and a commitment to the faithful of today and for future generations,” Archbishop Randazzo said.
“The vision for the Precinct, and its design will represent a visible and living heart for diocesan life, where worship, formation, pastoral care, outreach, and administration come together in service of Commission, Community, and the Common Good.
“While my responsibilities have expanded to serve the universal Church in Rome, my commitment to this vision is unwavering.
“The appointment of Níall McLaughlin Architects signals we are moving ahead with confidence to create a community legacy for generations to come.”
Working alongside Australian architecture and design firm Hayball as Executive Architect, NMLA will lead the precinct’s masterplan and cathedral design, with a strong focus on materiality, light, and spatial experience.
McLaughlin’s portfolio includes notable projects such as the Bishop Edward King Chapel in Oxford and the Magdalene College Library in Cambridge, reflecting a design philosophy centred on craft and contextual integration.
“We are delighted to work on this significant project to help create an enduring spiritual, civic, and cultural precinct that places the faithful at its centre,” Níall said in Sydney.
The architectural concept draws inspiration from the Hawkesbury River watershed, which connects the Diocese’s 26 parishes.
The design envisions a cathedral space defined by a timber-framed “forest” structure, enclosed by sandstone forms referencing the region’s natural bluffs and caves.
This approach combines local material expression with a contemporary ecclesiastical form.
A central planning principle is the creation of a “virtuous circle” of Catholic life, integrating the cathedral with adjacent educational facilities, including St Leo’s Catholic College.
The precinct will support a continuous journey from early learning through to secondary education, reinforcing its role as both a spiritual and educational hub.
The broader development will include a Pastoral Centre, Parish Hall, CatholicCare facilities, diocesan offices, and residential accommodation for clergy.
Public-facing elements such as a cathedral forecourt, café, and bookshop are designed to enhance accessibility and community engagement.
Environmental considerations are embedded in the design, with the preservation of the existing Blue Gum High Forest and the inclusion of rooftop gardens to support biodiversity.
Sustainable material selection aligns with the principles of Laudato si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on environmental stewardship.
The Laudato si’ principle holds that human development should protect “our common home” and consider both people and the planet together.
The project will now enter planning and approvals, with construction timelines to be confirmed.
Delivery will be supported through a multi-stream funding model, combining institutional investment with philanthropic contributions.
Once completed, the Cathedral Precinct is expected to stand as a major example of contemporary religious architecture in Australia, uniting design excellence with community-focused infrastructure.