Western Sydney Airport terminal design inspired by walk through gum trees
The Western Sydney Airport's ceiling design was inspired by a walk through a gum forest in 2018.
The striking ceiling at Western Sydney Airport's new terminal came from a walk through an Australian gum forest. In 2018, Cristiano Ceccato flew from London to work with David Holm on a design competition for the terminal.
The pair drove to the site at Badgerys Creek, then farmland with gum trees. Holm explained what fascinated Ceccato about the bark of Australian gum trees.
The leaves fall off, but the bark keeps changing. That idea led to light shining through gum tree bark, which became the terminal's signature wavy ceiling scattering natural light throughout the multi-level building.
COX Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects won the competition a year later. The terminal was designed to feel like a walk through an Australian landscape, helping passengers feel connected to western Sydney and less overwhelmed by the massive airport.
- COX Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects
- Architects
- Badgerys Creek
- Site location
- 2018
- Inspiration year
Why it mattersThe ceiling design uses natural light and local landscape to reduce airport stress. This is an unusual priority in global aviation.
AustraliaPassengers arriving at Sydney's new western airport will experience a distinctly Australian design aesthetic, marking a shift away from generic international terminal styles.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
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