As the first major airport built in Australia in over 50 years, Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) marks a generational transformation for one of the country’s fastest-growing regions.
Located in Badgerys Creek, WSI has been designed as both a global gateway and a catalyst for economic, social and cultural opportunity in Western Sydney.
Designed through a collaboration between COX Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects, and delivered by Woods Bagot and Multiplex, the airport terminal fuses innovation with functionality. The architecture responds directly to the surrounding Cumberland Plain, combining human-scale design with international ambition. Its intuitive layout and sculptural form signal a new standard for airport architecture in Australia.
The terminal’s design draws from the natural environment. A horizontal silhouette and generous transparency connect the building to its landscape, while a dramatic sculptural ceiling filters natural light through a network of skylights. This design element evokes the dappled light found under eucalyptus canopies, creating a distinctly Australian experience.
For many travellers, WSI will offer a first impression of Australia. In that spirit, the design channels the beauty of the land and the clarity of light across the region, aiming to create a calm, intuitive and welcoming passenger journey. The building’s visual language is grounded in the concept of the “Great Australian Light,” which shapes movement and orientation throughout the space.
Public areas of the terminal reflect the identity of Western Sydney itself: culturally rich, community-driven, and egalitarian in spirit. Developed in consultation with Dharug Custodians and First Nations consultant Murrawin, the terminal integrates local narratives and values throughout its design. Warm, natural materials, open sightlines and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces reinforce this community-focused approach.
The forecourt and landside environments have been designed to feel more like a civic destination than a traditional transit hub. The architecture prioritises ease of movement, with intuitive spatial cues guiding passengers smoothly through check-in, security and boarding.
Importantly, WSI has also been designed for the future. The terminal has achieved a 5 Star Green Star Rating and incorporates regenerative design principles including natural ventilation, energy efficiency, and water recycling. Its modular layout allows for flexible expansion, enabling the airport to adapt to new technologies and growing demand without compromising passenger experience.
This infrastructure project stands not only as a functional transport solution but as a defining civic space for the Greater Sydney region.
With its architecture now complete, Western Sydney International Airport offers a vision of what the next generation of Australian transit infrastructure can be: sustainable, human-centred, and unmistakably rooted in place.
