Sydney, Australia’s second international airport is a model of sustainability and innovative architecture.
A new airport for groups traveling to Sydney/New South Wales Australia is on the horizon. Six years after the launch of an international design competition for Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), construction has been completed on its first terminal. The airport, scheduled to open in 2026, will accommodate domestic and international gates under one roof. Currently, airlines include Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Jetstar, with more in the works.
WSI’s design, with such features as a climate-responsive facade and solar panels reducing the airport’s carbon footprint, was a collaborative effort that included competition winners Zaha Hadid Architects based in London and Australia’s COX Architecture. “This is a rare opportunity to define the next generation of airport design on a global stage,” said Zaha Hadid Architects Director and Design Lead Cristiano Ceccato. “Together with COX, we created a design that meets the highest standards of architectural innovation, passenger experience and operational efficiency. What makes this terminal extraordinary is its blend of human-scaled design and international ambition. It is grounded in its setting—and yet globally competitive.” More than 6,000 solar panels are affixed to the roof to provide energy efficiency and renewable electricity, and collected rainfall on-site will be recycled for use in the airport’s bathrooms, irrigation systems and cooling towers. Interior design reflects inspiration from the nearby Blue Mountains and sandstone materials of the area.
Australia’s First Waldorf Astoria
Sydney’s robust hospitality infrastructure is also expanding with new restaurants and hotels. Chief among the luxury hotel developments for meeting and incentive groups is the 220-room Waldorf Astoria Sydney due to open late next year—the first Waldorf Astoria in Australia. 
Located within the mixed-use luxury development of One Circular Quay in a prime harborside location, the hotel will have spectacular views of the city’s famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House, with an overall vibe reflecting the elegant aesthetic and personalized service for which the brand is known. Spaces include a day spa and wellness facilities, indoor swimming pool, a ballroom and a boardroom. There will also be two original restaurant concepts, a rooftop bar featuring uninterrupted views of the stunning Sydney Harbour and Peacock Alley, the signature central gathering space for Waldorf Astoria properties around the world.
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