The key idea behind what was at first simply called the Diocesan Centre was to allow for extensive office and meeting space, and living quarters for resident clergy, whilst also being as low and unobtrusive as possible, to allow uninterrupted views towards the 19th century Gothic Revival Cathedral from the east.

This is achieved by being set into the low rise of the site, and partly below ground, and inward looking, with windows opening into a variety of courtyards, including a large central circular courtyard.
From most aspects, the site appears to be mainly water features or landscaping, with long low concrete or stone walls.

The Albert Street frontage consists of a series of reflecting pools, largely hiding the two storey building behind, composed of long low pre-cast concrete solid battered piers supporting a simple horizontal beam with deep inset glazed openings.
The lower floor looks into courtyards planted with trees, formed by the L shaped pools.
The same expression is used to the rear of the Albert Street frontage block and the interior of the circular courtyard.
Varied shapes were tested for this courtyard, however, the final design chosen was circular, complete with another reflecting pool around its edge.

The Albert Street water features step down the slight slope, and include water jets linking one to the next, with the main entrance located at the east end of the main building and pools.

The Lansdowne Street corners are each built up with low sloped rough bluestone block bases supporting lawn and plantings.
The Lansdowne Street frontage is primarily car parking, screened by ashlar bluestone block walls, with the entrance located next to the remaining tower of St Patrick's College.

The Cathedral Place frontage was originally a private garden behind fencing; in 2000 this was opened up by the creation of the Pilgrim's Path landscaped walkway up to the east door of the Cathedral, also creating public access to the paths on top of the lower part of the Cardinal Knox Centre.
The key idea behind what was at first simply called the Diocesan Centre was to allow for extensive office and meeting space, and living quarters for resident clergy, whilst also being as low and unobtrusive as possible, to allow uninterrupted views towards the 19th century Gothic Revival Cathedral from the east.
This is achieved by being set into the low rise of the site, and partly below ground, and inward looking, with windows opening into a variety of courtyards, including a large central circular courtyard. From most aspects, the site appears to be mainly water features or landscaping, with long low concrete or stone walls.
The Albert Street frontage consists of a series of reflecting pools, largely hiding the two storey building behind, composed of long low pre-cast concrete solid battered piers supporting a simple horizontal beam with deep inset glazed openings. The lower floor looks into courtyards planted with trees, formed by the L shaped pools. The same expression is used to the rear of the Albert Street frontage block and the interior of the circular courtyard. Varied shapes were tested for this courtyard, however, the final design chosen was circular, complete with another reflecting pool around its edge.
The Albert Street water features step down the slight slope, and include water jets linking one to the next, with the main entrance located at the east end of the main building and pools.
The Lansdowne Street corners are each built up with low sloped rough bluestone block bases supporting lawn and plantings. The Lansdowne Street frontage is primarily car parking, screened by ashlar bluestone block walls, with the entrance located next to the remaining tower of St Patrick's College.
The Cathedral Place frontage was originally a private garden behind fencing; in 2000 this was opened up by the creation of the Pilgrim's Path landscaped walkway up to the east door of the Cathedral, also creating public access to the paths on top of the lower part of the Cardinal Knox Centre.
Cardinal Knox Centre