A striking new theater featuring a distinctive twisted timber structure is set to become a landmark along Sydney's Parramatta River. Danish architecture firm 3XN has partnered with Australian practices COX Architecture, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio, and Bangawarra to design the upcoming Riverside Theatre, which promises to serve as both a cultural destination and a welcoming civic landmark in Sydney's rapidly developing western center.
Positioned directly along the water's edge, the theater's innovative timber structure gently twists and modulates in response to the river's natural curvature and the changing patterns of light across its surface. This dynamic geometric approach creates an undulating facade that allows the building to function as both a cultural threshold and a seamless extension of the surrounding parkland. The design incorporates thoughtfully planned pathways and landscaped terraces that guide visitors from the street level down to the riverfront, establishing a continuous public realm that effectively blurs the traditional boundaries between the theater building and its natural environment.
The architectural philosophy behind the Riverside Theatre centers on concepts of permeability and invitation, according to the design teams. "The unique contextual response of the design lends itself to a distinct architectural expression and opportunity to create a building that is welcoming, porous, and permeable," explained Fred Holt, Director of 3XN Architects. This guiding principle is reflected throughout the project's carefully selected material palette and spatial arrangement, which creates multiple gateway points that open invitingly to both the urban cityscape and the flowing river.
Internally, the theater unfolds as a sophisticated series of performance volumes that vary significantly in both scale and intimacy. The main attraction is a grand 1,500-seat lyric theater, complemented by smaller, more intimate performance spaces and modern cinema facilities. The renovation plans also include transforming the existing playhouse into a 760-seat venue, a decision that preserves an important layer of continuity within the site's extensive history as a cultural gathering point for the community. Each performance space has been acoustically and visually tailored to serve its specific purpose, while maintaining a unified sense of warmth and openness throughout the entire complex.
The collaborative effort between COX, 3XN, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio, and Bangawarra reflects a deeply shared vision of mutual understanding and cultural awareness. "Working together, our team developed a design that sought inspiration from a First Nations narrative – from concept through to detail," said Brooke Lloyd, Director of COX Architecture. "The design foregrounds this narrative in every instance – each performance space telling this story in a unique way." The involvement of Bangawarra ensures that the site's multiple layers of cultural meaning are properly read and authentically expressed through both architectural elements and landscape design gestures.
Environmental consciousness and ecological responsibility form integral design drivers for the project. The theater's design emphasizes Country and ecology through an ambitious riverbank restoration program and an endemic planting strategy led by Turf Design Studio. The project's ecological ambitions extend to achieving a 5-Star Green Star rating, with particular emphasis on the reuse of sustainable materials and the active regeneration of biodiversity along the waterfront area. This comprehensive approach demonstrates the design team's commitment to creating a structure that enhances rather than disrupts its natural environment while serving the cultural needs of Sydney's growing population.
