Wulugul Pop-Up Project at Barangaroo by Foolscap Studio.

Wulugul Pop Up precinct is now open at Barangaroo, a new 22-hectare mixed use precinct set to transform Sydney’s Harbour culture. Over the past year, award winning cross-disciplinary design practice Foolscap Studio have been developing the waterfront design scheme for Wulugul Pop-Up. Foolscap’s focus was on how the Barangaroo precinct can “gradually become a place where local community, workers and visitors will enjoy the best of Sydney’s food, cultural and event experiences” throughout the next 10 months.

Working with Lendlease to deliver the project, Foolscap’s Wulugul Pop-Up elevates simple natural materials into a world class public space. It is made up of an undulating facade constructed from especially engineered recycled cardboard tubes and sustainable local plywood that lines the entire 170m Barangaroo South waterfront at ground level. The design concept was inspired by the landscape, topography, cliffs and beaches found along Sydney’s Harbour.

The Pop Up is made up of a series of distinct ‘zones’ which reflect the future potential of the precinct. It offers the opportunity to unwind, meet, work outdoors, grab a bite or end the day with a cocktail set against the Harbour backdrop. Foolscap’s director AdeleWinteridge explains: “Our work is focused on how people interact with places. At Barangaroo,we wanted to create an experience where people can meet, interact, learn or just hang out and explore a new side of Sydney. It’s a snapshot of things to follow at the site.”

The project includes relaxation zones, outdoor cinema, landscaped seating, meeting and co-working areas, event areas and a lending library by TITLE books – all of which revolve around a curated program of special events.

Large pockets of landscaping filled with native Australian species line the spaces, including clever yet simple green walls and an edible garden all housed within the large scale card tubes. Foolscap’s design for the site elevates a simple recycled material to create a dynamic temporary architecture, a range of furniture and functional elements, seating pods, native planter gardens. Custom designed food carts serve coffee, gelato and drinks along the promenade. Foolscap also designed the signage and environmental graphics for the project.

[Images courtesy of Foolscap Studio.]