South Australia
The restoration of Cabra Dominican College Chapel embodies a reverence for history and tradition while infusing contemporary vitality. It honors the Dominican Sisters’ legacy, blending beauty with divine grace, and seamlessly bridging past and present.
Beyond architectural significance, it enriches the community with a sacred space for reflection and artistic appreciation. The Chapel’s meticulous restoration respects both historic and contemporary contexts, reinstating architectural integrity while integrating modern accessibility. Successfully reconciling functional needs with historical significance, the project demonstrates resourceful allocation and sustainability. Through recycled materials and energy-efficient design, the restoration preserves heritage and contributes to long-term ecological resilience.
The project’s response to client and user needs reflects a profound understanding of community values. This restoration revitalizes a cherished landmark, fostering deeper connections to history and spirituality
Installing a priceless work of art into the Sisters’ Choir section of our historic Chapel, and building a fit-for-purpose ramp into our convent building, required a delicate balance between mindfulness history and tradition of our campus, with our desire to always move forward. The design, encompassing the Chapel and convent restoration and the installation of the Kim En Joong windows, has increased functionality and added significant, profound beauty to the area. It fulfils a direction to move the Sisters’ Choir Chapel into the future, creating a memorial for the Dominican Sisters that is neither staid nor static, but rather, glorious.
Andrew Stevens, Heritage Consultant
Mark Stewart CPR, Structural Engineer
Nick Twaits – Dynamic Engineering, Steel Window fabricator
Sam Pentelow Stone Ideas, Project Manager
Scott Guthridge Kennett Buidlers, Construction Manager
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
