Perth Airport appoints Woods Bagot to lead design of new international and domestic terminals

Perth Airport (PER) has appointed Australian firm Woods Bagot to lead a global consortium of architecture and design companies to shape its new international and domestic terminals. The New Terminal project, encompassing terminal facilities, aprons and taxiways, will be one of the most complex construction projects undertaken in Perth. Woods Bagot will draw on the expertise of more than 24 companies, collaborating with Nordic Office of Architecture, Architectus, WSP and others to carry out the design phase of this once-in-a-generation development.

The appointment is one of the largest and most significant contracts as Perth Airport embarks on more than $5 billion of investment in new aviation infrastructure. Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters said the partnership with Woods Bagot would set a new benchmark in airport design. He described it as “an ambitious project that will deliver new terminal and airfield facilities at Perth Airport with a footprint equivalent to almost 30 Optus Stadium playing fields.” He added that the floor space in the terminal alone would be three times that of the Perth Convention Centre.

Waters said the new terminal facilities would reflect a modern, vibrant and dynamic Western Australia, offering passengers a world-class experience. “While acknowledging our past and reflecting our present, Perth’s New Terminal will be a bold statement of the confidence Western Australians have in the future of their State,” he said. The focus would be on building a smart terminal that operates efficiently and safely, utilising technology to enhance both customer experience and operational efficiency.

“With the passenger journey at the top of mind, we will create a seamless and intuitive terminal experience for all passengers, whether they are starting their journey, transferring or returning home,” Waters said. He emphasised that the sustainable design and best-in-class technology would drive new levels of efficiency for airline partners. The new terminal infrastructure will include an expansion of the international terminal and a new domestic terminal, all seamlessly connected with the current Terminal 1, allowing passengers to move easily between existing and new facilities.

The New Terminal will support the growth of international services for airline partners at Airport Central. It will also allow Qantas to realise its Western Hub vision, positioning Perth as its second most significant operational base after Sydney.

Woods Bagot CEO Sarah Kay said the project had brought together some of the best designers and architects locally and globally to deliver this iconic infrastructure. “The Perth Airport expansion is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a world-class first impression of Perth. We’re honoured to be part of a design legacy which will connect Perth with the rest of the world,” she said. Kay added that the new terminal would reflect the essence of a modern, vibrant and dynamic Western Australia, integrating sustainable design methodology and best-in-class technology with a design centred on joy and simplicity.

Woods Bagot and Architectus are two of Australia’s largest architectural practices, collectively employing over 1,200 design professionals. This scale allows rapid response to changing project demands. Woods Bagot is a global practice with 18 studios across six regions and over 1,000 professionals worldwide, including more than 650 in Australia and 50 aviation specialists. The Perth studio has a strong track record with Perth Airport over more than a decade and was lead design architect for the recently opened $1.5 billion Western Sydney International Airport.

Nordic Office of Architecture, Scandinavia’s leading aviation design firm, is known for simplifying complex problems and delivering outstanding designs, as seen at Bergen and Oslo Airports. The team also includes Mott Macdonald for design and project management, and sustainability specialists Cundall and Klaus Bode Consultancy, targeting a 5-star Green Star rating. Local Western Australian businesses are also involved, such as Indigenous Employment Solutions, UDLA for landscape architecture, and Artify for art consultancy.

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