Master plan reveals a vision for an inclusive, climate-resilient city designed to support long-term growth and opportunity in Western Sydney
The development of Australia’s first entirely new city in more than a century is underway in Western Sydney. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Hassell, in collaboration with cultural design partners Djinjama and COLA Studio, the master plan for Bradfield City’s foundational First Land Release precinct—known as Superlot 1—has been revealed, establishing a transformative new model for inclusive, climate-adaptive and Country-centered urbanism, shaped by Indigenous connections to the land.
Located about 50 kilometers west of Sydney’s central business district, Bradfield City sits adjacent to the forthcoming Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. The new airport will drive economic growth across the region and position Bradfield City as a hub for innovation, education, and advanced manufacturing in one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban corridors.
Conceived as the civic heart of Bradfield City, the First Land Release spans 5.7 hectares and will deliver more than 1,400 homes, including 10% affordable housing, alongside a university campus, commercial offices, hotel, child care, retail, and extensive public space. “To design a new city is both a rare opportunity and a profound responsibility,” said SOM Senior Associate Principal Michael Powell. “Bradfield City is a chance to shape a vision with Country and community, embedding resilience, sustainability, and innovation into every layer of the city.”
The master plan is driven by an ambition to catalyze Bradfield City’s emergence as Western Sydney’s new urban heart, capitalizing on multimodal transportation links while reinforcing connection to Country, a term used by First Nations peoples to refer to the lands, waters and skies to which they are connected through ancestral ties and family origins. At its center is the Green Loop, a 15-meter-wide linear park that connects the natural systems of Moore Gully with the built environment. Informed by Country and deep First Nations engagement through cultural design partner Djinjama, the landscape and built form of the First Land Release precinct feel innately connected to place from the outset. Located within this corridor is a timber pavilion, designed as a gathering space for community members of all ages. Featuring a woven canopy of interlocking timber, the structure reflects the Aboriginal principle of “enoughness,” taking only what is needed, and serves as a sustainable prototype for learning and connection that works in harmony with surrounding water and biodiversity systems.
“We set out to create a precinct where nature and urban life are intertwined, ensuring Bradfield City feels welcoming, sustainable and uniquely of its place,” said Kevin Lloyd, Principal at Hassell. The architectural expression across the First Land Release evolves with the landscape. Buildings transition from earthy tones near Moore Gully to lighter forms that echo Sky Country along the ridgeline. The project’s material palette favors low-carbon, high-performance materials such as terracotta and timber, while minimizing embodied energy. Passive design strategies are reinforced by green roofs, biosolar systems, and water-sensitive infrastructure.
The project is being delivered in partnership with long-term investor and developer Plenary, appointed by the New South Wales Government to lead development of the First Land Release precinct. Backed by more than $1 billion in Australian public investment, Bradfield City represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a city from the ground up, aligned with government priorities for innovation, equity and sustainable growth.
As a key anchor of the Western Parkland City, Bradfield City is strategically positioned to leverage the adjacent international airport and become a hub for advanced industries, research and innovation. With multimodal connections and resilient design, Bradfield City’s First Land Release aims to set new benchmarks for sustainable growth.
About Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global practice of architects, designers, engineers, and planners, responsible for some of the world’s most technically and environmentally advanced buildings and significant public spaces. The firm’s approach is highly collaborative, and its interdisciplinary team is engaged in a wide range of international projects, with creative studios based across the globe. SOM’s connection to Australia dates back to the 1960s with pioneering projects that have shaped its most populous cities, including the innovative steel tower at 140 William St. in Melbourne, designed in collaboration with Yuncken Freeman. Notably, SOM’s interdisciplinary team is currently engaged with the transformative Carillon redevelopment in Perth, and the Grand Hyatt at 123 Collins St. in Melbourne.
About Hassell
Hassell is a leading international architecture and design practice with studios in Asia, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Our purpose is to create a better future by designing the world’s best places – places people love. We do this by combining our creative design expertise with capabilities in research, strategy and technology to unlock the social, cultural and economic value of places. We collaborate with the best minds in research, industry and design worldwide and we’re committed to making a positive impact on communities and our environment. Recent projects include Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation: Laak Boorndap Urban Garden and Park Avenue Central in Shanghai, Doha Grand Terminal in Qatar, HSBC in Hong Kong, First Building, Bradfield City Centre in Sydney, First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank in the UK, Resilient South City in San Francisco, WA Museum Boola Bardip and Optus Stadium in Perth and the new Sydney Metro North West, Melbourne Metro and Cross River Rail projects in Brisbane. We are also involved in various city masterplans, as well as university campus and associated building design projects across Australia, the Middle East and the UK.
