The first CGI images of Sydney’s forthcoming second airport have been released, with a scheduled first phase opening date of 2026.
British international architecture and design firm Zaha Hadid Architects, and Australian firm Cox Architecture have been chosen to design the airport’s terminal building.
The Australian government said that the winning design “focuses on the customer journey while paying tribute to the Western Sydney region and natural landscape”, adding that it passed “a range of value-for-money and technical reviews”.
The airport – officially known as Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport in tribute to the Australian aviation pioneer – will be located in the Badgerys Creek suburb of the city, around 27 miles west of Sydney’s central business district.
The $5.3 billion project will be built in four stages, initially accommodating up to ten million passengers, rising to 80 million by 2060.
The airport – which will have no night-time curfew – will feature vertical gardens and a timber roof, and will offer a public plaza with shops, dining and entertainment outlets.
Earthworks are set to begin next year, with constriction commencing in 2022.
Commenting on the news Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said:
“This is set to be the largest gateway to Australia and these designs are another step to making it a reality.
“Designed alongside locals and built by local workers the airport will deliver massive economic benefits to the region.”
