zaha hadid architects + COX architecture win bid to build the new western sydney airport

this morning, october 29, 2019, it was announced that zaha hadid architects and COX architecture have won the international design competition to build the new western sydney airport (WSA) in the suburb of badgerys creek, australia. chosen among forty national and international applicants, which were narrowed to five selected design competitors, the winning proposal will be built in four stages of expansion. the initial stage of 10 million annual passengers is set for completion by 2026, with further increments up to 82 million annual passengers, making it the largest international gateway to australia by 2060.

all images by slashcube © zaha hadid architects

appointed as master architect for the project, zaha hadid architects and COX architecture will prepare the design documents for the execution of the first phase of the new terminal, while the two will also provide an overarching design for the entire airport precinct, including guidelines for future expansion. the western sydney international (nancy-bird walton) airport, which has been named after the famous australian aviatrix, is located in sydney’s new western parkland city region, which, together with the original harbour city on the coast and the river city around paramatta, is set to become sydney’s third urban hub, stimulating the city’s western expansion in the decades to come.

‘we are honored to have been selected for this amazing project,’ said cristiano ceccato, ZHA project director. ‘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.’

the ZHA/COX proposal incorporates sustainable design principles in the architecture and construction principles of the building. the design integrates the extensive use of daylight, natural ventilation and water recycling to create a modular, energy-efficient design, while it is also sensitive to its local context, reflecting its natural landscape and the cultural heritage of its indigenous inhabitants.

‘the design takes inspiration from the unique local flora of western sydney and its unique natural qualities, such as the great australian light,’ COX project director david holm noted. ‘these spaces, colors and materials have been incorporated into the design to give the project an unmistakable regional identity.’