Zaha Hadid Architects, Cox Architecture and Woods Bagot have completed the Western Sydney International Airport in Sydney, Australia. 

The recently finished terminal at Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) displays a design that is rooted in place, influenced by light, and constructed for aviation's future.

The terminal's modular design, which earned it a five-star green star rating, enables gradual development and incorporates efficient passive design principles, making use of rainwater collection and recycling, natural ventilation, and on-site energy generation.

Image © Trevor Mein

WSI, Australia's first major airport constructed in for than 50 years, marks a generational change that will change Western Sydney. The terminal, which is situated in Badgerys Creek, serves as a stimulant for sustained social, cultural, and economic potential.

The terminal combines creativity and functionality, starting with the original architectural concepts created by Cox Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects and continuing through the design and building process by Multiplex and Woods Bagot. It provides a user-friendly and forward-thinking passenger experience while reflecting the character of its location.

Image © Multiplex

"We are on the precipice of launching a seamless and stress-free airport experience unlike any other in Australia," said Simon Hickey, CEO, Western Sydney International Airport. 

"WSI will give our global city a 24-hour international gateway that will continue to create significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney," Hickey added.

Image © Brett Boardman

"This is a rare opportunity to define the next generation of airport design on a global stage,” said Cristiano Ceccato, Director and Design Lead, Zaha Hadid Architects. 

"Together with COX, we created a design that meets the highest standards of architectural innovation, passenger experience and operational efficiency. What makes this terminal extraordinary is its blend of human-scaled design and international ambition. It is grounded in its setting—and yet globally competitive.

Image © Multiplex

A terminal defined by light and landscape

The architecture of the terminal complements the area's natural beauty and was inspired by the expansive horizons of the Cumberland Plain. The surrounding countryside informs its transparency and horizontal form. 

One of the building's distinctive features is its sculptured ceiling, which reflects sunlight from skylights on the roof and reflects rays of sunshine that are filtered through the region's woods' peeling eucalyptus bark.

Image © Brett Boardman

"From the outset, our vision was to create an airport that belongs to this place; not just physically, but in spirit and identity," said David Holm, Principal and Design Lead, Cox.

"The ‘Great Australian Light’ is one of the defining qualities of the Australian experience, and it has been central to our design thinking." 

"The way light filters through the terminal shapes how people move, orient and feel – creating a sense of calm, clarity and connection. For many, this space marks their very first encounter with Australia, and we wanted that experience to feel unmistakably grounded in place," Holm added.

Image © Trevor Mein

A passenger-first experience through a Western Sydney lens

The public areas of the terminal represent the identity of Western Sydney, one of Australia's most culturally varied regions. Local narratives were included into the building through interaction with Dharug Custodians and First Nations consultant Murrawin. 

The terminal is egalitarian in spirit and reflects local values thanks to its open sightlines, pleasant materiality, and smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor areas.

Image © Brett Boardman

We have created a place that celebrates the cultural richness of Dharug Country," said David Holm.

"The ambition was to create an airport that is not just a transit space but a destination in itself," said Neil Hill, Principal, Design and Delivery Lead, Woods Bagot. 

"The Terminal and Landside Forecourt establish a uniquely Western Sydney character – one that welcomes visitors while resonating with the many identities and cultures that define this region," Hill added.

WSI establishes a new standard for mobility and simplicity. With its clear arrangement and powerful visual clues, the building itself leads travelers through the terminal in a natural way.

Image © Trevor Mein

Built for the future

The WSI terminal, which has a 5-Star Green Star Rating for its design, incorporates regenerative design concepts by using water recycling, energy efficiency, and natural ventilation. 

Phased growth is possible thanks to the terminal's modular architecture, which guarantees flexibility to meet evolving passenger demands and technological advancements without compromising operating effectiveness.

Image © Brett Boardman

"The terminal offers a constantly evolving visual experience and sense of joy as passengers move through the space," said Neil Hill.

"Respecting the initial concept, we configured the landside, terminal and airside design to balance and optimise the commercial and operational functional requirements. With the Multiplex team, and working closely with WSI, we introduced innovative design solutions to elevate the customer experience, deliver sustainable outcomes and apply industry-leading technical acumen."

Image © Trevor Mein

Now that construction is complete, the WSI terminal provides a window into the creativity and design that went into one of Australia's biggest infrastructure initiatives.

Image © Trevor Mein

Project facts

Client: Western Sydney Airport Company (Federal Government of Australia)
Design Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects + COX Architecture

ZHA Team

ZHA Project Directors: Cristiano Ceccato, Paolo Zilli, Mouzhan Majidi (Strategic Design)
ZHA Commercial Director: Gianluca Racana
ZHA Project Associate-in-Charge: Clara Martins
ZHA Project Architect: Leo Alves
ZHA Project Team: Nessma Al-Ghoussein, Enrico Anelli Monti, Zsuzsanna Barat, Cristina Barrios Cabrera, Afsoon Eshaghi, David Fogliano, Anna Mieszek, Peter Safranka, Michele Salvi, Ashwin Shah, Armando Solano
ZHA Competition Team: Leo Alves, Cristiano Ceccato, Nessma Al-Ghoussein, Cristina Barrios Cabrera, Li Jin, Clara Martins, Armando Bussey Solerio, Mariana Cabugueira, Saman Dadgostar, Paulo Flores, Shao-Wei Huang, Charles Walker

COX Team

COX Project Director and Design Lead: David Holm
COX Interior Design Director: Brooke Lloyd
COX Interior Design Lead: Ingrid Kelly
COX Project Architect: Michael Grave
COX Delivery Director: Satvir Mand
COX Project Team: Adelaide Cowan, Cristian Gonzalez Diaz, Enrico Anelli-Monti, Kate MacDonald, Katie Miller, Leanne Noh, Brendan Nolan, Lev Teng, Matthew Findlay, Michael Kahn, Satvir Mand, Zia Gatti, Jodi Archer, Matthew Findlay, Kang Wang, Eric Quang, Leo Arias Galarza, Lev Teng, Ashley Robinson, Chandra Rajamani, Trent Schatzmann, Xan Pan, Shaun Burgess, Catriona de Salis, Nichole Darke, Andrew Van Zanten, Iavor Nikolaev, Alessia Capponcelli

Consultants

Partner Design Architect: COX Architecture
Executive Architect: Woods Bagot
Project Management (Client side): Bechtel Corporation
Structural Engineers: Aurecon
Geotechnical Engineers: Aurecon
General Contractor: MULTIPLEX
Cost Consultants: BA Air Consultants
Environmental Consultant: Atelier 10
Façade Engineering: Apex Façade Consultants
MEP Engineering: Aurecon
VHT Engineering: LCI
Transport Consultant: Aurecon
Fire Engineer: Philip Chun & Associates
Landscape Consultant: Lat27
Architectural Lighting Design: Lichtvision Design
Specialist Lighting Design: LCI
Daylight Design: Luminous Workshop
Acoustic Consultant: LCI
Baggage Handling System: AvLogix
ICT & Low Voltage: LCI
Security Planning: SCG
Wayfinding: Triagonal
Flow Simulation: LCI
Retail Planning: Chapman Taylor
Retail Analytics: Mercurius
Project Scheduling: Arch Artifex
Airfield and Apron Planning: Aurecon
Airport Masterplanner: Arup
Indigenous Consultant: Murawin
Art Program: Barbara Flynn
Placemaking: Place Partners

The top image in the article © Trevor Mein.

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