The Cutaway, Barangaroo
Beneath the parklands of Sydney’s Barangaroo Reserve, The Cutaway has been transformed into a landmark cultural destination that brings together architectural expression, First Nations storytelling and high-performance building solutions.
Carved directly from the harbour sandstone, the vast subterranean venue features a dramatic 14-metre-high ceiling and a footprint of approximately 6,500m². Following an investment of more than $100 million by the NSW Government, the space has been reimagined to accommodate events, exhibitions, offices and a dedicated First Nations education centre, with capacity for up to 3,000 people.
Designed by fjcstudio in collaboration with First Nations designers Shannon Foster (Bangawarra) and Jake Nash, the redevelopment was guided by “Connecting with Country” principles. Organic forms inspired by the giba-gunya, or rock shelter, are expressed through monumental timber canopies that introduce warmth and intimacy while preserving the raw sandstone and industrial character of the original structure.
Delivering this vision required building systems capable of responding to an unusually complex environment. As a subterranean Class 9a public building, The Cutaway presented demanding requirements for fire resistance, structural performance, acoustic control, moisture management and long-term durability. These requirements had to be met without compromising the integrity of the architecture or its culturally informed design narrative.
Cemintel Compressed and ExpressPanel®
As part of a comprehensive suite of CSR systems, Cemintel fibre cement products contributed to the robust and reliable construction solutions used throughout the venue.
Cemintel Compressed 15mm was specified for flooring in various areas of the project, helping the construction team meet demanding fire and structural requirements. Its inclusion within the integrated building solution provided a durable fibre cement substrate suited to the performance expectations of a significant public venue.
Cemintel ExpressPanel® 9mm was also supplied as part of the project’s broader material package, complementing the high-performance wall, ceiling, flooring and insulation systems selected for the redevelopment.
The use of Cemintel products formed part of CSR’s integrated systems approach, which brought together fibre cement, plasterboard and insulation products with specialist technical support. By drawing on tested and proven systems in which individual components had been assessed together, the project team gained greater confidence in the fire, acoustic and compliance performance of the completed construction.
This coordinated approach was particularly valuable on a complex state government project where non-standard construction conditions required careful detailing, prototyping and verification. CSR’s DesignLINK team worked with project stakeholders to address challenging fire-rated interfaces, junction details, bulkheads and certification pathways, helping preserve the architectural intent while maintaining the project’s demanding performance objectives.
Site logistics added another layer of complexity. With very limited space available for storing materials, products needed to be supplied through carefully coordinated rolling deliveries. CSR’s manufacturing and supply teams worked closely with the builder to adjust delivery schedules as site conditions changed, supporting an efficient construction program without mass stockpiling materials on site.
The completed Cutaway is a highly resolved cultural venue in which Country, storytelling and natural materiality coexist with rigorous fire, acoustic, structural and environmental performance. Through the contribution of durable fibre cement solutions and a collaborative, systems-led approach, Cemintel helped support the transformation of one of Sydney’s most distinctive spaces into an enduring destination for culture, creativity and community.
Project Team
Project: The Cutaway
Location: Barangaroo, New South Wales
Client: NSW Government
Architect: fjcstudio
First Nations design collaborators: Shannon Foster (Bangawarra) and Jake Nash
Builder: FDC Construction
Project engineer: Arup
Acoustic consultant: Acoustic Directions
Photography: TFAD Pty Ltd
Keep me informed
Keep me up-to-date with future news and info on Cemintel