- 13 sculptural timber trees range between 7 to 17m in height, inspired by the Damun (Port Jackson Fig).
- Each tree consists of 85 to 115 timber members, weighing 7 to 950kg.
- 150t of timber used.
- 25,603 screws and 3,800L of stain applied.
- 444 tonnes of steel installed and 1,366m3 of concrete poured.
- 5,030L of decorative paint applied.
The Cutaway
The Cutaway is an expansive, cavernous space that sits beneath Barangaroo Reserve, right on the edge of Sydney Harbour. Originally opened in 2015 as a raw concrete shell, it was always intended to become a dynamic cultural venue.
The recent fitout has transformed it into one of Sydney’s largest and most versatile internal event spaces, capable of hosting major events like Sydney Festival and Vivid, as well as smaller gatherings such as art exhibitions, festivals, and performances.
The design
The bespoke architectural design by fjcstudio reflects a commitment to design excellence, high-quality architecture, and sustainability initiatives that align with Barangaroo’s climate-positive principles. It also creates a versatile event space that can accommodate a variety of cultural and community activities.
The 3 levels create the following spaces:
Connection to Country
The design was shaped through a collaboration between fjcstudio, Shannon Foster of Bangawarra, and artist Jake Nash.
It reveals the memories of Salt Water Country with curved, cavelike interiors referencing giba gunya (rock shelters) and spaces beneath the Damun (Port Jackson Fig). The design seeks to celebrate Aboriginal cultural history, and create an inclusive space for future generations.
A Wellama audiovisual artwork by Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page and Nik Lachajczak is displayed at the entrance, contributing to a layered cultural narrative grounded in Gadigal history and heritage.
Construction highlights
View the PDF version.
Gallery
The Cutaway is managed by Placemaking NSW. For enquiries, please visit barangaroo.com.