Australia's first mass timber airport terminal takes shape

As part of its $170 million terminal redevelopment, the airport has begun installing around 30 tonnes of engineered timber to create the striking roof structure of its new terminal. When complete, it will be Australia's first mass timber engineered airport terminal, giving travellers a distinctly different welcome to the region.

The design brings together sustainability, functionality and a strong connection to the Sunshine Coast's natural surroundings.

A structure with a purpose

The engineered timber, known as glulam (glued laminated timber or GLT), is being used to form the terminal's distinctive raking roof frames, a defining architectural feature designed by Populous: Fentress Studios in partnership with builder McNab.

Using timber instead of relying solely on traditional steel and concrete materials is expected to reduce the building's embodied carbon, with an estimated saving of around 40 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

It's also a deliberate design choice, reflecting the subtropical landscape and relaxed character of the Sunshine Coast.

Matt Findlay, Principal and Head of Aviation, APAC at Populous: Fentress Studios, described the scale of the timber installation as unusual for an airport project.

“Most terminals of this size rely on steel and concrete, so committing around 30 tonnes of glulam to the roof structure is a significant statement about the kind of building we wanted to create, one that feels like nowhere else in Australian aviation.”

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Making the journey more enjoyable

The terminal incorporates biophilic design, which draws on people's connection to the natural environment to help reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Airports can be busy, noisy and sometimes overwhelming places, so the use of warm, exposed timber is intended to create a more calming environment from the moment passengers arrive.

As Sean Powyer, Associate Principal and Architect at Populous: Fentress Studios, explained:

“The raking timber frames form a distinctive gateway into the terminal, marking the transition from the pressures of everyday life to the relaxed character of the Sunshine Coast.”

It's a design that aims to make the airport feel less like a conventional transport hub and more like an introduction to the region itself.

Building for the future

The mass timber roof is one part of a much larger redevelopment that will almost double the terminal's footprint, from 6,100m² to 11,750m².

Other upgrades include a departure lounge three times its current size, two additional boarding gates, expanded retail and food and beverage offerings, and new check-in technology featuring 18 self-service kiosks and 10 automatic bag drops.

Sustainability is also being considered across the wider project, with features including rainwater harvesting, expanded solar panels, energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and climate-sensitive design.

The redevelopment comes as the airport prepares for continued growth, with passenger numbers projected to reach 1.8 million in 2026 and 2.4 million by 2030.

Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager of Projects and Planning, Robin Mace, summed up the significance of the latest milestone:

“This is where the vision our community helped shape really starts to come to life.”

With the timber frames now being installed and the full terminal redevelopment expected to be completed in 2027, it's exciting to see a project that combines innovative construction, thoughtful design and sustainability taking shape right here on the Sunshine Coast.