About the First Building
The First Building was opened by NSW Premier Chris Minns on 5 March 2025.
The building marks the beginning of an industry-led hub designed to connect and attract local and global partners. It will develop and grow a skilled future workforce.
Housing industry tenants and Stage 1 of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF), visitors can watch prototypes and new technologies being tested through the glass-walled manufacturing hall at the heart of the facility.
Connecting and designing with Country is central to the First Building's design. Inspired by the natural waterways and Cumberland Plains, the building is open and welcoming. It will feature green, open spaces where residents, workers and visitors can gather.
Sustainability is also at the core of the design, setting an ambitious benchmark for the new city.
Key design features
- A unique urban pavilion with 3 connected buildings under one roof, including:
- an advanced manufacturing hall
- office spaces
- areas for exhibitions, talks and events.
- A rooftop viewing platform and green roof.
- A large roof structure that generates solar energy and collects water for reuse.
- Low-carbon materials, including timber and rammed earth.
Awards
The award-winning First Building has been recognised by multiple institutions for its design, impact and commitment to sustainability including:
| Award | Category | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Boomtown Project of the Year Awards 2024 | Outstanding Innovation Project | Winner |
| UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence in Urban Development 2025 | Excellence in Sustainability | Winner |
| NSW Architecture Awards 2025 | Commercial Architecture and Sustainable Architecture | Premier’s Prize, Award for Sustainable Architecture, Commendation for Commercial Architecture |
| Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards 2025 | Innovation Development | Shortlisted |
| Urban Developer Awards for Industry Excellence 2025 | Sustainability | Shortlisted |
| Biophilic Design Awards 2025 | Building scale projects | Shortlisted |
| Master Builder's Association NSW Excellence in Construction Awards 2025 | Sustainability, Best use of timber | Winner |
| Master Builder's Association National Awards 2025 | Sustainability in a commercial building | Winner |
| AIPM Project Management Achievement Awards 2025 | Government Project | Winner |
| Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture NSW Awards 2025 | Civic Landscape | Shortlisted |
| Powerhouse Museum Holdmark Innovation Award 2025 | Winner | |
| Good Design Awards 2025 | Social Impact, Sustainability | Winner |
| Good Design Awards 2025 | Gold Winner | |
| Dezeen Design Awards 2025 | Workplace, Sustainability | Shortlisted |
| Australian Timber Design Awards 2025 | Sustainability | Winner |
| Sustainability Awards 2025 | Commercial (Large) | Winner |
| National Architecture Awards 2025 | David Oppenheim Award for Sustainability | Winner |
| Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Boomtown Project of the Year Awards 2025 | Outstanding Sustainability Project 2025 | Winner |
Image gallery
The western forecourt of the First Building, with wide eaves that keep the building cool. Image by Evan Maclean.
The central atrium provides an open passage through the building, with views into the manufacturing hall.
First Building's outdoor landscaping and view into the manufacturing hall from the southern side of the building.
The First Building's 1300sqm green roof features solar panels and 14,000 individual plants, keeping the building cool.
First Building is an innovative mass timber building, with modular components that were fixed together on site.
Inside the 1000sqm manufacturing hall of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility.
Header image by Evan Maclean
