A decade after opening as a raw concrete shell once dismissed as a failed promise, the Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve finally launched last Wednesday as a $100 million cultural venue anchored by 13 free-formed structural timber trees. Speaking at the unveiling, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the venue will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a new window secured only after Minister for Planning Paul Scully overrode opposition that had previously capped events at midnight.
The trees form the centrepiece of a fit-out delivered by Infrastructure NSW in partnership with FDC Construction & Fitout and architects fjcstudio, with First Nations designers Shannon Foster of Bangawarra and artist Jake Nash embedded in the design from its earliest stages. The Cutaway marks a second major Australian collaboration between HESS TIMBER and fjcstudio, following the free-form glulam canopy delivered at Bunjil Place in Narre Warren in 2017, completed under the practice’s former FJMT identity.
Wood Central understands that each tree is assembled from up to 115 precision-fabricated components supplied by HESS TIMBER, part of the HASSLACHER group, each weighing between 7 and 950 kilograms. The tallest tree stretches 17 metres from sandstone floor to vaulted canopy, its assembled form drawing on the curved geometry of the giba-gunya (sandstone rock shelter), a culturally significant natural reference woven into the architectural logic rather than applied as ornament.
“The design of the Cutaway maximises the potential of the space…transforming it into a globally attractive venue for arts and culture,” said Minister for the Arts John Graham.
More than 90 per cent of construction waste was diverted from landfill during the fit-out, whilst carbon emissions were more than 50 per cent below standard construction benchmarks, and all timber was sourced in compliance with Barangaroo Reserve’s sustainability principles.
Perforated plywood within each tree works in concert with two-layer glass enclosures over the venue’s open voids, an acoustic system rated for premium music and major events, whilst drawing natural light into the space.
“The Cutaway will be the beating heart of Barangaroo…” said Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper.
It comes as Sydney consolidates its standing as one of the world’s most active cities for large-scale timber architecture, with Atlassian Central having surpassed Milwaukee’s Ascent to become the world’s tallest plyscraper, a structural milestone Wood Central reported earlier this month. The Cutaway’s 3,000-person capacity spans a main event hall, pre-function spaces, gallery and exhibition rooms, a commercial kitchen, green rooms, dressing rooms and a dedicated First Nations education centre, with step-free access running directly from Barangaroo Metro Station through the basement carpark and into the hall.
Securing the 24/7 operating approval was not straightforward, with the Millers Point Community Resident Action Group mounting sustained objections over noise, crowd control and residential amenity before earlier planning decisions capped events at midnight, a restriction Scully’s direct intervention ultimately overturned.
“We’ve set the Cutaway up to be a must-visit destination for locals and visitors…” Scully said, adding that the venue would open its first event within weeks.
The Cutaway opened to the public last weekend with a free programme of live music, gallery access and tours, before moving into a broader events programme.
“This extraordinary space is unlike anything else in Australia…” Minns said.
Please note: The photos for this story have been supplied exclusively to Wood Central by Kylan Low, the organiser of the Australian Timber Design Awards. To learn more about the awards, now in their 26th year, click here.
