Woods Bagot has designed a purpose-built passenger terminal for the Port Hedland International Airport in Pilbara, Western Australia.
The terminal project is part of a suite of major upgrades that has already delivered a new taxiway, an asphalt overlay of the runway and runway lighting upgrades. The first sod on the terminal transformation was turned in November last year, following planning approval by the state government’s joint development approval panel.
According to Woods Bagot’s Perth studio chair Kukame McPierzie, the repurposed passenger terminal will be a modern, secure and safe facility with better functionality.
“Observing the latest developments in terminal design, flexibility and future growth were key considerations for the design team,” said McPierzie.
The airport currently caters for over 400,000 passengers annually, servicing up to 50 commercial flights per week to Bali, Brisbane and Perth.
To accommodate the forecast increase in passenger numbers, the repurposed terminal will be approximately 800m2 (8,611ft2) larger than the existing facility. A modern facility offering a light and welcoming interior, the design responds to the local climatic conditions while minimizing impact on the environment by incorporating sustainability initiatives.
According to Port Hedland International Airport general manager Rod Evans, the terminal design meets the needs and expectations of the local community, customers and stakeholders in the Pilbara region, as well as key users and local businesses.
“Our vision for every customer is an experience that is reliable, welcoming and comfortable, and we are committed to delivering an airport which makes the Port Hedland community proud,” Evans said.
Construction will commence on-site in February 2020, and will be delivered in stages, continuing to mid 2021. The estimated cost of the project is A$25m (US$17m).