Adelaide Airport is upgrading its services with a $200-million terminal expansion and improvements to existing infrastructure to cater to growing passenger frequency.

Woods Bagot has been engaged to lead the refurbishment of the existing terminal, including significant upgrades to international arrivals and departures. New works are anticipated to streamline services, upgrade operations, and create contemporary and contextual travel environment.

The Passenger Experience Enhancement Projects (PEEPs) involve a series of small to large interventions across  the terminal building. Woods Bagot is designing a new highly functional and intuitive gate lounges, International Arrival Hall upgrade, an elevated VIP International lounge experience, family dining and play spaces. Airport upgrades also include a highly considered sensory space, conceived as a zone for calm and pause.

The expansion and upgrades are designed with inbuilt flexibility to accommodate future growth over the next decades. 

Adelaide Airport is the primary passenger airport servicing South Australia for domestic and international destinations. Upgrades are designed to improve passenger flow and spatial functionality, while clearly defining areas within the terminal.

Woods Bagot Principal Rosina Di Maria says the expansion will create a welcoming environment with a design that celebrates South Australian spirit.

“Adelaide Airport as a living, breathing, animate place that will grow and evolve over time,” says Di Maria.  “At point of touchdown, the airport should embody the energy of all of South Australia: lively, diverse, and deeply rooted in cultural context.”

Cultural narrative woven into the existing terminal through a celebration of earth and sky. The textural and tonal palette references Witongga tarto – an ephemeral wetland stretching from Pathawilyangga to Yerta Bulti. Honouring the history of the airport site, the earth is represented in the robust and textural finishes, while the sky is depicted in fluid forms, reflective surfaces, and a sculptural use of light.

In order to create the most intuitive and considered user experience, the project team analysed passenger profile data to cater to a diversity of travellers. From the international playspace to the sensory room, the design has considered a spectrum of user needs, catering for moments of intrigue and delight, and grounding and calm in turn.

Construction is scheduled to commence onsite imminently.

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Isla Sutherland
Content and Communications Specialist (Australia & New Zealand)