Unit 12a is an ongoing research-based architectural “unit”, dedicated to exploring spatial experience, materiality, and representation. The practice engages in projects across multiple scales and disciplines, driven by a process of curation and investigation.

This platform builds upon the act of tracing and reinterpreting architecture, presenting a carefully selected collection of images that offer insight into the origins of our work and the future directions of the practice. We honor the weight of a brick, the story in a tile, and the grain of wood—materials that are invested with memory, craft, and time, shaping places with quiet insistence and enduring presence.

Church of the Living God In the suburban streets of Hurstville, The Church of the Living God stands with a quiet sense of purpose. Designed by Angelo Candalepas, the building serves both as a place of worship and a residence, carefully balancing its public and private functions. “This is a building that whispers rather than shouts,” says Candalepas, emphasizing its understated approach to form and scale.

Positioned on Carrington Street, the church sits among apartment buildings and established trees. To avoid overwhelming its surroundings, the design stretches the structure horizontally rather than vertically. Large, well-placed windows break up the façade, introducing light while maintaining a sense of solidity. On the northern side, a colonnade of white concrete half-columns gives the building a sculptural quality, subtly marking it as a public space.

Inside, the clerestory is the focal point. Light filters down from above, creating depth and atmosphere. “A place where the spirit can rise,” says Candalepas. A landscaped courtyard to the south brings in air and light, making the interior feel open yet sheltered.

Built with durable materials—off-form concrete, timber, and sandstone-colored masonry—the church is designed to last. It is a restrained yet thoughtful response to its context, offering both sanctuary and home in a single, unified form.