Biophilic design featured in plans for Western Sydney International Airport

Biophilic design featured in plans for Western Sydney International Airport

By Rachael Ridley  November 13th, 2019

Australia has been given its first look at the design for the new Western Sydney International Terminal, which heavily features biophilic design and sustainable design principles.

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Australia has been given its first look at the design for the new Western Sydney International Terminal, which heavily features biophilic design and sustainable design principles.

The successful architectural team Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and Australian architects, Cox Architecture, won the honour to design the terminal precinct following a competitive process, which generated more than 40 design entrants. 

The project incorporates sustainable design and construction principles, such as the extensive use of daylight, natural ventilation and water recycling to create modular, energy-efficient design. The artistic concept pays tribute to the region’s natural landscape, including the extensive use of wood as a building material.

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

Cox Architecture Project Director David Holm continued: “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, colours and materials have been incorporated into the design to give the project an unmistakable regional identity.”

To be considered for the design project, interested firms were required to have experience designing an airport of similar size and complexity to Western Sydney International in the past five years. The final decision on the winning design was made by a panel of some of Australia’s most renowned architects.

Major earthworks are set to commence next year, which will lead to the construction of the runways, roads, rail and the terminal. The project is the country’s biggest aviation development in decades and has been designed for modular expansion to accommodate the anticipated long-term capacity of up to 80 million passengers every year by the early 2060s.

 

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By Rachael Ridley

Rachael joined Planet Ark in 2019 after eight years working in media and publishing as a producer, editor and writer. Rachael is excited to use her skills in content creation and communication to instigate positive environmental behaviour change.

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