Overseas Passenger Terminal Upgrade

Aerial view of the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney, showing the terminal with Sydney CBD skyline in the background.
Location
Sydney, Gadigal Country, Australia
Status
Completed 2015
Client
Port Authority of NSW
Type
Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure

The Overseas Passenger Terminal Constructed in 1960, was historically a ‘pinch-point’ along the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Walk. Successive renovations have substantially improved the quality of the precinct public domain; so, the challenge for this project was to improve and protect this civic legacy whilst doubling the processing capacity to 10,000 passengers per day and 300 ships per year. The design solution redefines the public forecourt and improves connectivity to upper public decks. A generous new entry and public hall reveal the dramatic scale of the original interior and go beyond the original function to double as a multi-purpose venue; and new elements are carefully inserted to double the terminal’s capacity and improve its operational efficiency.

Exterior nighttime view of the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney, illustrating its scale in context with passersby.
Interior view of the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney, illustrating its scale in context with person.

The upgrade works at the Overseas Passenger Terminal have resolved complex operational requirements in a manner that has delivered something beyond the original brief. The result is a new, multipurpose venue suitable for uses beyond cruise operations. It has already exceeded the client’s expectations by becoming a popular venue, regularly hosting a diverse range of public events from festivals to fashion parades.

 

Improved structure, functionality, and design. Reinforced steel and modern roofing support increased capacity and versatility. Civil works enhanced public spaces with better accessibility and lighting. Inside, systems like HVAC, security, and digital signage were integrated for efficiency. Redesigned customs and baggage areas streamline passenger flow. Sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems were used throughout. The sleek roof and glass facades create an inviting, iconic space, transforming the terminal into a modern, adaptable hub for the future.

A detailed study of customs, quarantine, provisioning, passenger-flow, and baggage staff logistics for the Overseas Passenger Terminal upgrade enabled a reduction in brief area, which helped free up the interior volume and declutter the public forecourt.

2016
Commendation, Public Architecture
AIA, NSW Architecture Awards

Ground view of the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney, with Circular Quay in the background.

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