Barangaroo South is one of Sydney's largest waterfront regeneration projects, delivered by Lendlease. Working integrally with development and design partners Foolscap, we co-created a strategy, circular design and material system for the precinct's meanwhile phases, alongside permanent projects that went live over time. Over two years, a set of experiences, programs and installations spanning public realm, retail, work, culture and knowledge operated across the site's staged construction.

Design Strategy
The design strategy responded to site data, audience research and the dynamic construction environment of this mega-build project. It gave Sydney a first cultural view and public relationship with Barangaroo South before the precinct was finished — and set the frame for what it has since evolved into.

Design System
The framework was temporary by design: a prefabricated, circular architectural installation built entirely from recycled or demountable elements, based on the undulating crags and rock edges of Sydney's harbour. We worked through materials approach with Lendlease and sub-contractors, which were tested for disassembly and validated against site conditions, acoustics, structural and fire tested by CSIRO. This structure enabled the integration of retail, coworking, public art, event space, play areas and edible gardens as part of the one modular system — a working precinct built at human scale, testing urban and sustainable innovation ahead of the permanent outcome.

"Barangaroo is named in remembrance of a woman who was highly influential in the early years of European colonisation. Barangaroo was a member of the Cammeraigal clan of the Eora Nation and second wife to Bennelong. She is remembered as one of the key Aboriginal leaders in the late 1700s and as a powerful woman of great integrity and resilience." Lendlease