Zaha Hadid Architects + Cox Architecture to design Western Sydney International Airport

Following an international design competition, Zaha Hadid Architects and Australian practice Cox Architecture were recently appointed as Master Architect for the Western Sydney International Airport. The competition began with 40 applicant teams, from which five finalist teams were selected to submit proposals.

Named after the famous Australian aviator, the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will be a new greenfield airport that will serve as a major catalyst for Sydney's developing western Parkland City region, which is expected to become Sydney's third urban hub. 

Get a first glimpse of the winning proposal below.

ZHA and Cox will provide the overall design for the entire airport precinct, starting with preparing the design documents for implementing the first phase of the new Terminal Precinct. They will also provide design guidelines for the airport's eventual expansion in the coming decades. 

The airport will be built in four stages of expansion, starting with the initial stage of 10 million annual passengers (MAP) by 2026, with further increments of up to 82 MAP by 2060, according to the design team.

The airport's design reflects its surrounding natural landscape and cultural heritage, and it also incorporates sustainable design elements like natural ventilation, water recycling, and ample daylight to create a modular, energy-efficient structure.

“The design is an evolution of Australian architecture past, present and future. It draws inspiration from both traditional architectural features such as the veranda, as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding bushland,” said ZHA Project Director Cristiano Ceccato in a statement.

“The design takes inspiration from the unique local flora of Western Sydney and its unique natural qualities, such as the Great Australian Light. These spaces, colors and materials have been incorporated into the design to give the project an unmistakable regional identity,” COX Project Director David Holm adds.

ZHA's other recent transportation projects include the recently inaugurated Beijing Daxing International Airport, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the Afragola High-Speed Rail in Naples. Cox Architecture is currently designing the new Victoria Cross Station in Sydney, the Sydney Football Stadium, and the Chinese National Maritime Museum, to name a few.