Jul 2, 2026 – 5.00amAt the northern edge of Barangaroo Reserve, where the sandstone headland meets Sydney Harbour, a new kind of cultural space has emerged. Designed over three levels, the Cutaway is a 10,000-square-metre forum shaped by a deft melding of ancient land with futuristic architecture.This decades-old sandstone cavern beneath Stargazer Lawn (a stone’s throw from Sydney Observatory) has been reconfigured under the direction of architect Richard Francis-Jones of fjcstudio, creating a magical event space set off by 13 sculptural timber trees reaching up to 17 metres high. Conceived to accommodate art, performance and civic gatherings, it simultaneously evokes deep geological time and the city’s future-facing ambitions.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Stephen ToddDesign editorStephen Todd writes for The Australian Financial Review's weekly Life&Leisure lift out and AFR Magazine.Fetching latest articles
Ancient art forms meet city’s future at Sydney’s newest high-end event space
Kieren Karritpul is among the First Nations artists on display as Sydney’s new underground event space, The Cutaway, hosts the National Indigenous Art Fair this weekend.
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