Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, named after the famous Australian aviatrix, is a new greenfield airport in Sydney’s new western Parkland City region.
Together with the original Harbour City on the coast and the River City around Paramatta, the Parkland City will become Sydney’s third urban hub, stimulating the city’s western expansion in the decades to come.
The Western Sydney Airport will be a fundamental catalyst for this growth, with the city’s greater metropolitan area set to reach 9 million by 2040.
The Zaha Hadid Architects and COX team was selected from a broad field of forty national and international applicants that was narrowed to five selected design competitors, including Designinc and Foster and Partners; Architectus, Gensler; SAA Architects and Surbana Jurong; Woods Bagot and RSHP with Aspect Studios; and Hassell and Pascall Watson.
Designed by ZHA/COX, the new Western Sydney Airport will be built in four stages of expansion, beginning with the initial stage of 10 MAP (million annual passengers) by 2026, with further increments up to 82 MAP, making it the largest international gateway to Australia by 2060.
As Master Architects, ZHA/COX will provide an overarching design for the entire airport precinct including design guidelines for future expansion. At the same time, the team will prepare the design documents for the execution of the first phase of the new Terminal Precinct.
The ZHA/COX design incorporates sustainable design principles across the building’s architecture as well as its construction principles.
The project integrates the extensive use of daylight, natural ventilation and water recycling to create a modular, energy-efficient design.
The building is also sensitive to its local context, reflecting its natural landscape and the cultural heritage of its indigenous inhabitants.
“We are honored to have been selected for this amazing project. The design is an evolution of Australian architecture past, present and future,” said Cristiano Ceccato, ZHA Project Director.
“It draws inspiration from both traditional architectural features such as the veranda, as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding bushland.”
“The design takes inspiration from the unique local flora of Western Sydney and its unique natural qualities, such as the Great Australian Light,” said David Holm, COX Project Director.
These spaces, colors, and materials have been incorporated into the design to give the project an
unmistakable regional identity.”
The airport, planned for a site at Badgerys Creek approximately 51 kilometers west of the Sydney
CBD, is planned to be operational by 2026.
Zaha Hadid Architects Western Sydney International Airport
Architects: Zaha Hadid Architects and COX Architecture
COX Design Team: David Holm, Katie McKenna, and Satvir Mand
Clients: Western Sydney Airport
