First class views from Western Sydney Airport Experience Centre

The Western Sydney Airport Experience Centre is an exhibition space showcasing the construction activity of the Western Sydney Airport. The 400 sqm education space features an exhibition hall, meeting rooms and a small kitchen. The general public will learn about the region and its people and understand the opportunities that will come from Australia's first smart airport. They will have a clear view of the future airfield and be able to see the airport come to life

One of the main requirements was the short timeframe delivery. The design team investigated prefabrication techniques and a mass timber structure was chosen. This achieved a fast and cost-effective installation while providing a warm finish to the internal spaces.

The building is a spiral in plan, with varying radii from a central point. This leads to the positioning of the main structural beams in a circular form and providing the large cantilevers to the front entrance of the building. The structure's post and beams are made of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), overlaid with Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) roof panels.

Set up with simple geometric rules with an outer and inner circle of columns, the building was cut up into wedges to form a standard array of timber beams. All of which cantilever beyond the facade to provide a generous roof overhang to the multiple entrances to the building.

The roof beams were specifically orientated to reduce material wastage and provide geometric simplicity. All changes in geometry were dealt within the steel plate connectors which provided efficient fabrication to the mass timber. Extended over the mass timber, the roof ensures complete protection from the weather.

 

 

 

Client: WSA Co Limited

Architect: Nettletontribe

Builder: Watpac

Completion: 2019

Sector: Government & Public, Art & Culture

Services: Timber, Structural