As the first completed building in Australia’s newest city — Bradfield City Centre — First Building houses stage one of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF), an innovation accelerator. Designed with adaptability, circularity, and resilience, it sets a new benchmark for how cities can be regenerative and integrate with Country.

The first cutting-edge manufacturing facility completed in Australia’s newest city in 100 years, First Building marks the start of a new industry-led ecosystem, offering advanced technology, expertise, training, and networks to help manufacturing businesses grow.

The structure is conceived as a modular ‘kit of parts’ using prefabricated mass timber components mechanically fixed and bolted. This enables disassembly, adaptation, and reuse, responding to the evolving needs of the new city, eliminating demolition waste and preserving material value.

Guided by First Nations cultural research and design agency Djinjama, the design is deeply embedded in Dharug Country, honouring and respecting the building’s location on the Cumberland Plain and the ephemeral waterways of Wianamatta. It celebrates the Cumberland Plain of Western Sydney by immersing people within a richly planted, permeable ground plane of native species. This will play a critical role in re-establishing the site’s ecological identity and set an important precedent for future development in the Aerotropolis.

The project, which is targeting a 6 Star Green Star Buildings rating, challenges supply chain and advocates for the use of natural low-embodied carbon materials such as rammed earth, bamboo, and timber to minimise environmental impact.

Its innovative features are setting the stage for a new industry-led advanced manufacturing ecosystem, connecting local and global partners, and enabling workforce skills for the future. The AMRF will enable local manufacturing businesses access to advanced machinery and expertise to help scale-up businesses. This will enhance the capability and economic development of Western Sydney businesses.

Photography by Vinchy Wu