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A New Cathedral for Sydney

April 2026

A New Cathedral for Sydney

Níall McLaughlin Architects has been appointed to design a new Catholic Cathedral in Sydney’s Waitara suburb, as the centrepiece of a new spiritual, civic and cultural precinct for the Diocese of Broken Bay, in New South Wales.

The Cathedral Precinct Project will establish an integrated centre of Catholic life in the region and is poised to become a distinctive local landmark and a spiritual focal point for the parishes of the Northern Beaches, Central Coast, and North Shore.

Key to the project vision is the creation of a lifelong journey for congregants: from Baptism through to early learning, primary, and secondary education – ensuring the Cathedral is a living centre that serves all ages of its community. 

The design highlights responsible, sustainable materials that complement the natural setting, in keeping with Pope Francis’s call to care for our common home.

Generous public spaces will embed the site within the neighbourhood and welcome the community – creating a place that prioritises people and permeability.  

The international competition was organised by the diocese and led by the Archbishop Anthony Randazzo DD JCL, for the Hornsby Cathedral Parish community and the entire Diocese of Broken Bay. 

 

Níall's Lecture in Amsterdam

November 2025

Níall's Lecture in Amsterdam

On the 12th November Níall gave a lecture as part of the Design-by-thinking-of series by Office Winhov in Amsterdam. ‘Design by thinking of…’ is a lecture series, offering architects a stage to share their world of thought and design with peers. For every architect, this ‘design-by-thinking-of’ is different. It contains the essential aspects of the run-up to, the actual design itself, the built result and the reflection afterwards. Since 2021, the lectures are held five times a year at Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam. More information can be found here.